Agenda item

Report presented by Judith Newell-Rollins, Principal Independent Reviewing Officer.

Judith Newell-Rollins, Specialist Practitioner presented the report to the Panel stating that overall, performance is good but there are some areas for improvement.

An overview of the report was given to the Panel confirming that Independent Reviewing Officers (IRO) ensure that the responsibility of corporate parenting officers and the welfare of children in care is being met.  It was confirmed that presently there are 14 IROs in Warwickshire.

It was confirmed that there are currently 188 children in care in Warwickshire who are the subject of protection plans.  It was noted by the Panel that comparable data is currently unavailable as there is no data as up to date as the Independent Reviewing Service would like.  The current figure is higher than IROs would like it to be but it is lower than it has been.

Moving forward IROs are looking to increase overall participation in the reviews, particularly from the children in care themselves.  Former children in care are now helping to develop this process and there is support from apprentices across Warwickshire, many of whom have a background in care. 

It was confirmed that the high number of children currently under protection plans means that it isn’t always possible to engage purposefully with them all but options such as financial incentives are being used.  A text message service is also being used as another option for getting young people involved. 

It was confirmed that invitations to conferences may not always be suitable for young people.

Following a question from Councillor Marian Humphreys in relation to the national shortage of foster places, it was confirmed that there are not enough, good enough, places for children, especially those with significant needs (emotional and social).  In cases where there are significant needs, IROs work closely with Warwickshire officers and receive regular updates.

IRO’s are aware of the current recruitment process in Warwickshire for additional foster placements as well as the introduction of Warwickshire based children’s homes.

The Panel was pleased to receive confirmation that the IRO’s consider that Warwickshire County Council is doing all that it can at the moment and that officers are all working incredibly hard and always taking into account the impact on the children in care.

Valerie Corcoran, Designated Nurse for Children in Care, asked for clarification in relation to the number of un-regulated placements.  It was confirmed that the majority of placements in Warwickshire are now regulated but due to the complex needs of some children, it isn’t always possible.  The Panel noted that this is a national issue.  Unregulated placements are short term and heavily monitored and managed so that children can be moved to a regulated placement as quickly as possible.  The key is to ensure that every child is in the right placement.

Moving forward, the Independent Review Service will continue to increase participation with young people alongside Family Group Conferences.  This will include work to further develop close working partnerships on safeguarding and enabling families to be involved in creating the right formulas for change. 

Judith Newell-Rollins finished by stating that IROs are doing a greater job that a few years ago and the children of Warwickshire are benefitting.  The Chair thanked Judith for the report and added that the report had allowed officers and members to see that, as a local authority, Warwickshire is doing well and has the right things in place to continue improving.