Agenda item

Report attached

The Sub-Committee received an update on performance data for Quarter Three. It was noted that performance data were available for all the eight indicators. Six of the indicators were given a RAG status: Three (50%) had a status of Green, two (33%) had a status of Amber and one (17%) had a status of Red.

Overall, the update was an improvement compared to the position at the end of Quarter 2, when 40% of indicators were rated Green.

The following highlights were outlined:

•           The percentage of children in good or outstanding schools. Five schools had been inspected since September 2018 and four had reports had since been published; all of which received a ‘Good’ judgement.

•           The percentage of early year’s providers judged to be ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ also remained better than target.

•           The average number of children missing from education had reduced in comparison to both last quarter and the same point the previous year.  

•           The percentage of Initial Child Protection Conferences (ICPCs) held within 15 working days continued to improve and was within target tolerance.

•           The number of adopters approved was better than the target for this point in the year and only one further approval was required to achieve the annual target.

The Sub-Committee noted that the following areas required improvement:

•      The percentage of 16-18 year olds who were not in education, employment or training (NEET), or not known was recently confirmed as 3.5% for 2017/18; better than the England average of 6% and placing the borough in the top quintile. The performance at the end of Quarter 3 was off-target but within the agreed tolerance. Action being taken to further improve performance included increased tracking activities using admissions data and intelligence to reduce the number of ‘Not Knowns’, and the introduction of a new NEET to  EET programme in central Romford.

•      The number of children missing from care, missing from home or away from placement without authorisation had increased compared to the previous quarter but was lower than at the same point last year. The new approach to safeguarding adolescents would include a strong focus on missing children and the associated risks for the cohort.

•      The number of new in-house foster carers was below the target set for this point in the year. Work continued to recruit high quality foster carers, with marketing targeted at the caring professions, certain faith communities and those prepared to look after older children (age 11+) and sibling groups. Assessments were more robust however, which inevitably resulted in some households not being progressed. A Christmas Fostering campaign was undertaken and in January the service assessed the success of this and considered adjustments to the current marketing plan. Communication materials also promoted the message that IFA (Independent Fostering Agency) carers could easily transfer to the local authority.

During discussion, the Sub-Committee noted that the current Fostering Strategy had been in place since 2016 and would be due for review by the end of the year. Officers indicated that a report on Fostering was due before the Sub-Committee or the Corporate Parenting Panel.

In terms of the Christmas Fostering campaign, Members were informed that it had been a successful exercise. A total of eleven households were currently undergoing screening.

It was noted that officers would be reviewing the success of the advert and current marketing plan and initial feedback from Fostering Ambassadors was encouraging.

The Sub-Committee was informed that the service was engaging with faith communities and seeking opportunities to grow further interest with ethnic groups with regards recruiting new Foster Carers.

The percentage of 16-18 year olds who were not in education, employment or training (NEET), or not known - 2017/18 data was now confirmed  at 3.5% for Havering, against an England average of 6%, placing Havering in the top quintile.

In 2017/18, the Children and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee received a total of 17 indicators, of which three were reported to the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

Following discussion on the report, the Sub-Committee agreed that the following two Performance Indicators would be reported to the Overview and Scrutiny Board from the fourth quarter of 2018/19.

·         Number of new in-house foster  carers (cumulative)

·         Percentage of 16-18 year olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), or not known

The Sub-Committee noted the performance update.