Agenda item

John Coleman, Director of Children and Families presented the report to the committee and confirmed that there were summary points available in appendix one.  It was also confirmed that the number of measures for the committee to review has been reduced to allow focus on particular areas.  It was noted that 7 focus areas are currently on track, and 3 are not on track.

The committee noted that the overall number of Children in Care has continued to reduce, with the latest a significant reduction of 68.  This is, in part, due to the increase in the number of children being placed with family members of being returned home where safe to do so.

It was confirmed that Warwickshire does need more foster carers. There will be a new marketing campaign launched shortly however, 8 mainstream foster carers have been approved with 8 more in the pipeline.  This is the highest number for some time but there is still room for improvement.

In relation to Education Services, performance in relation to attendance is good.  The Early Help support is on track, but officers are working towards more early support being in place.

Performance in relation to safer accommodation (following domestic abuse) is not currently on track but is showing signed of improvement.  There is a plan to source accommodation, renovate and launch.  This is not where officers want to be, but things are progressing and moving in the right direction.

In relation to the completion of Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCP) within 20 weeks, it was confirmed that performance is not currently on track, but plans are in place to make improvements.  Demand has doubled recently but the resources available to officers, have not increased.  The council has bought in some agency staff to offer support at the assessment phase.

It was confirmed that the Warwickshire education strategy has been approved and is now in place.  The new term has now started and started well. On October 3^{rd, 2024,} there will be a conference to launch the strategy to the wider school community and incudes priorities for the next five years.

In relation to the overspend reported in appendix three, John Coleman confirmed that this has reduced from £10 million to £7 million.  This is still a significant overspend but does show the work undertaken to reduce the overspend.  The majority of the over spend comes from residential care, and there has been a significant increase in these costs.  We do not accept any residential care placement that doesn’t include education.  Other work to reduce the overspend has included ending fixed term staff contract earlier where possible as well as accelerating plans for children to leave care plans, when it is absolutely right for the child/ren; for example, step down care plan to foster carers.  It was confirmed that there is a strategic lens to the barriers in place but at the forefront of all our minds is what is best for the children and young people.

Opening council owned homes and bringing children back into the county or out of residential care will significantly reduce these costs – in some cases up to £15k a week.  This is a national issue.

Following a question form Councillor Simpson-Vince in relation to finding new foster carers, it was confirmed that there hasn’t been large number coming through for some time, but the new marketing campaign does seem to be working.  There has also been increased visibility at community events across the county to make sure the team is seen, and making sure that WCC can offer the best level of support, and the whole package for anyone considering fostering in comparison to other agencies.  It is important that the message gets out that that anyone can foster…single, renters, there are various groups that think they can’t. 

Following a question from Councillor Justin Kerridge in relation to the council’s refusal to assess children for EHCPs and the rate of appeal failure, it was agreed that a detailed report would be added to the committee’s work programme and would include the council’s historical performance.  Nigel Minns, Executive Director for Children and Young People confirmed that more plans are issues every year than ever before. 

Resolved

That the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee considers and comments on Quarter 1 2024/25 organisational progress against the Council Delivery Plan, performance, management of finances and risk.