Agenda item

RESOLVED:

1.  That the progress made on the sufficiency strategy action plan for 2018-19 be noted.

2.  That the development of a dashboard to monitor the impact the sufficiency strategy on the outcomes for our children looked after (CLA) be noted. The following comments on its content as an aide to the work of the corporate parenting committee were made:

·  Link with Sir Martin Narey report and how it relates to this strategy

·  Voice of child and if strategy could be summarised in a one page child friendly version

·  Work needed with communications on the analytics and when adverts appear in the press. Need to ensure logistics in place to deal with queries.

The following queries were raised / discussed:

·  Bringing services in-house; it was confirmed that an options paper had been prepared but no decisions yet

·  Work with schools and impact of school funding

·  Profile of children in care leavers and prediction around growth without intervention

·  Foster care recruitment. Recent initiatives (discount on council tax) had resulted in increased interest / recruitment figures

·  Funding for unaccompanied children. Confirmed that some of the money allocated but does not cover full cost

·  Funding issues for 21 – 25 age group

·  Temporary foster care parents. Confirmed that normally friends and family

·  Confirmed children leaving care at 18 come under housing band 2 when housing required

·  Advised that officers have been looking at models in respect of short term placements (for example Greenwich Mockingbird project).

3.  That a briefing note be brought to the next meeting of the committee on unaccompanied asylum seeking children and young people in respect of costs of accommodation (to also address health and education).