Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the Data on Demand for Services report.

Viki Elliott-King presented the Data on Demand for Services report which was set out in agenda pages 45-47.  She reported a large increase in social care demand in the Borough.

During the discussion of the item the following comments were made:

·           Compared with statistical neighbours, Wokingham’s numbers were still low, however there had been a threefold increase, including in proportion to the population in the Borough;

·           Possible lines of enquire were being investigated, Sarah Sesay, Performance Manager had undertaken a piece of work to find out possible reasons for this significant increase;

·           It was possible that the numbers were previously too low and they were now levelling out;

·           Sarah Sesay stated that in her research she found that the numbers had always fluctuated.  Generally, media stories influenced the number of referrals, however this was not the case now;

·           It was possible that as a result of the Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) that partners were now more able to recognise neglect;

·           Sarah Sesay stated that she had looked at the legislation, media, leadership, economic factors, before/after inspections action plans going back 20 years; and she found that the numbers had always fluctuated;

·           There was some indication that the current increase was the result of local decision making, the JTAI and an increase in awareness around issues involving child sexual exploitation;

·           Members asked if it was possible that some cases may have been missed in the past.  Carol Cammiss stated that in the past, in general, there were more child protection cases involving younger children, whereas now there were more cases of older children and adolescents;

·           Carol Cammiss stated that children were staying in CPP’s longer;

·           Carol Cammiss stated that although there was no definitive reason for the increase in demand for social care services, this was in line with the national trend;

·           Sarah Sesay expected that the numbers would probably go down next year, but were likely to continue to fluctuate long term.  It was important to identify where help was needed earlier;

·           Sarah Sesay stated that cuts in Early Years intervention and Universal Help had had an impact on the numbers and added pressure to services;

·           Members asked if all Looked After Children were safe.  Estelle Kellaway stated Looked After Children were more vulnerable than other children, and the service worked very hard to safeguard these children;

·           Councillor Bray asked how many children with a CPP were from families which were in the ‘troubled families plan’.  Sarah Sesay would check and report back;

·           In response to a question Sarah Sesay stated that there had not been an increase in self-referrals, most referrals came from the police and schools;

·           In response to a question Estelle Kellaway stated that some children in the Child Protection Plan had mental health problems as a result of trauma they may have suffered.  She stated that lot of work was undertaken through Child Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to help those children with mental health issues.

RESOLVED That the report be noted.