Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the Children’s Services Performance Indicators report.

Sudeshna Banerjee, Service Manager Intelligence and Impact presented the report.

Sudeshna Banerjee went through each indicator outlining the findings contained on the report.  During the discussion of the item the following comments were made:

·           Councillor Bray asked if the timeliness of Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) issued within 20 weeks of referral could be sustained.  Sal Thirlway stated that the previous dip in timeliness had been due to staff churn.  Currently, the workforce was more stable and more permanent staff were being recruited, therefore he was confident that the timeliness could be sustained.  There was also a programme of improvement and innovation in the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) offer within the Borough;

·           Carol Cammiss stated that there was now a tracker in place to monitor the timeliness of all partners, to ensure timescales were being met.  Also, families were being informed when and why there were delays;

·           In response to a question Carol Cammiss stated that there was a lot of information about all the children with EHCP.  She offered to answer specific questions via email on request;

·           Councillor Mickleburgh asked what was being done to address the anxiety expressed by parents over the length of time to complete the EHCP process.  Sal Thirlway recognised that there had been issues with timeliness in the past, but these had now been improved and the vast majority of plans were being issued within the statutory 20 week timescale;

·           Councillor Chadwick expressed concern about the number of Care Leavers who were Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET) and asked for the narrative around the figure.  Adam Davis stated that there could be various reasons why care leavers may be NEET, they could be parents themselves or between jobs.  He stated that the number was in line with other local authorities.  Wokingham had recently changed the virtual school offer to extend it to working with care leavers;

·           Councillor Mickleburgh asked if there was a timeframe showing how long care leavers were NEET.  Adam Davis agreed to look into providing this information;

·           Councillor Malvern asked for more information about children missing from home/care.  Adam Davis stated that when a child went missing from home a return interview was carried out to try and understand the reason for that occurrence.  The service looked at themes or patterns to address any issues;

·           Councillor Bray expressed concern that the children/young people who were avoiding the return interview might be the ones who needed it the most.  Adam Davis stated that the services also looked at contacting other adults and professionals involved with the child to find the best way to reach them;

·           Councillor Mickleburgh was concerned that children missing from home may be at risk of exploitation and suggested that a more detailed report be brought to the Committee in a part 2 session.

RESOLVED That the report be noted.