Agenda item

External Placements

To consider the report of the Head of Children’s Services.

Minutes:

Documents:

·         Report of the Head of Children’s Services

 

Discussion:

·         The report provided an overview of External Placements for Members’ information

·         It was noted that where possible placements were made to ensure a child’s education was not disturbed – the Committee asked how achievable this aim was?  In the first instance, an in-house foster care placement is sought locally.  If this is not possible, a wider search is made for an in-house foster carer but within one hour’s travelling time.  Ultimately, an Independent Foster Agency (IFA) will be used in the area or an in-house foster placement further away.  If a child has been excluded from school, the service work with the schools service to find alternative provision that could be in a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) or online.  Education is paramount and ensures stability.

·         The issue of bilingualism was raised – there are a number of Welsh speaking foster carers and the service would like to recruit more.  There are several foster families in Carmarthenshire who can offer Welsh needs.  The service is not so well equipped to deal with other languages.  The Head of Service reported that the service had could be better at analysing the needs of the LAC population.  Although these needs are considered on an individual basis during a review, they are not easily extracted from the system.  These issues will be identified at Resource Panel.

·         Nine new foster carers had been recruited – how does this Authority compare with others?  Benchmarking data is no longer available.  More information is available through regional fostering arrangements

·         There seemed to be a large group of children in the 10-15 years age bracket and Members questioned whether these children had been in care for some time or if this was the age at which they were accessing services.  The Authority has a responsibility for children up to the age of 25 if they are in education.  The Welsh government is proposing that this is for all young people up to the age of 25.  Edge of Care and early intervention will help to manage risk within communities.  Profiling is ongoing to move children to permanent arrangements such as adoption.

·         There was concern that this age bracket may be vulnerable to targeting by County Lines.  The Authority has developed a response to County Lines and a workshop will be held in June.  It is not a major issue within LACs – exploitation is more likely to target those who are not LAC.

·         The report shows 80 children are placed out of county, which raises issues about accessibility to education in Powys and Wales.  It was noted that there were similar issues around accessing health services across borders but it was suggested that this was a political issue to be addressed.

·         There could be delays in accessing education as those with SEN in Wales will have to be reassessed in England which can cause delays.  The service makes every attempt not to place in England due to the different schemes but this may not always be possible.

·         Any placement that may cost over £2000 has to be considered by the Resource Panel to ensure financial oversight and whether other, innovative solutions can be found.

·         A ‘step down’ approach is taken – for example moving a child from residential care to foster care or from 16+ to semi-independent living where this may be appropriate.

·         All assessments are undertaken under the assessment framework which is not the same as impact assessments elsewhere across the Authority.

·         It was confirmed that there is respite for Foster Carers – there are eight generic respite foster carers offering 12 placements and additional foster carers for children with disabilities.

·         Officers were asked if there was a pattern of context to external placements as to why we could not cater for these children within Powys? The placing of children was dependent on matching to appropriate families and vacancies.

·         The report states that there have been new foster carers – have any left and is the Authority addressing the reasons given for leaving?  The service pays close attention to messages given and are aware of reasons.  Any disruption (placement breakdown) is reviewed and an analysis undertaken to enable the service to improve.

·         The Foster Panel have seen Mother and Baby placements and a question was asked whether this could be extended to help protect children in the longer term?  Children and parents are currently assessed at an assessment centre which puts them under 24 hour scrutiny and could be deemed to be oppressive.  Wrap around support has recently been provided for some parents and, despite some nervousness by professionals, is working well.  The aim is to bring intervention as low as possible.

·         It was confirmed that a Social Worker from Powys would complete a visit to another Authority.  The minimum statutory visit could be between one week and three months depending on circumstances.

·         Recruitment and retention was discussed.  The Chair had been advised that the same grade of social worker in other areas were paid at a higher rate.  The Head of Children’s Services reminded Members that there were other factors considered in recruitment including whether the social worker felt supported, but agreed to look into the issue of pay rates.  The number of agency staff was reducing.  Two senior manager positions have recently been filled.

 

Outcomes:

·         The report was noted

Supporting documents: