Issue - meetings

The report was introduced by Johnny Kyriacou – Director of Education, and confirmation was given that overall the performance within education services is on track with the exception of In Year School Place Applications.  Item 7 will cover this in more detail.

Johnny Kyriacou provided an update in relation to the work underway on SEND.  It was noted that there has been a lot of change recently and officers are working on bringing it all together.  Work includes reviewing what has happened previously and how officers can use lessons learnt to move forward more efficiently.  It was agreed that a member development session in relation to SEND and the current change programme be arranged and offered to all members, not just those on this committee. 

John Coleman – Director for Children and Families highlighted that the performance in relation to Child Protection Plans remains stable; it has risen slightly but is still within target. 

Regarding referrals to the Front Door service, the Panel noted that there had been an increase over the summer but that this is a normal trend and expected. 

It was confirmed that the performance in relation to the number of Children in Care was currently not on track but that the figure is coming down.  It is an area of focus for the team, and it was noted that the number has been affected by the number of Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) taken in by Warwickshire.

Following a question from Councillor Justin Kerridge, John Coleman confirmed that the risk register for children’s service will always include a consideration of significant injuries or death.  It was noted that this was the same for the adult service risk register.  Officers do need to be aware that situations could arise that result in injury or death, especially within the children and adult services. 

Following a discussion in relation to the service overspend, it was noted that this was predominately in relation to the cost of residential placements which has increased recently by 23%.  The Warwickshire County Council regional framework is predicting another increase of 10%.  This isn’t unusual across children’s services in England’s local authorities. 

The demand for emergency placements has also increased and is often offered at a high cost to the council.  Work is underway for council owned children’s homes which mean that by the end of this financial year the council will have 13 residential places resulting in a large saving across the board.

Councillor Clare Golby requested further information in relation to the high cost related to children in care, asking if it was in relation to specific care needs.  Councillor Golby also raised concerns that behavioural issues in council run homes, within the county, could cause issues within the communities they are based in.  John Coleman stated that the placement market for children in care is broken and that providers are seeking “easier children” to look after and will not take those with higher needs.  There are complex needs with some of the children  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5