Agenda item

To receive a report from the Director of Children and Families providing a summary of performance information relating to outcomes for Leeds children and young people.

The board received a report from the Director of Children and Families providing a summary of performance information relating to outcomes for Leeds children and young people.

In attendance for this item were:

·  Julie Longworth, Director of Children and Families

·  Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Board Member for Children and Families

·  Farrah Khan, Chief Officer Family Help

·  Dan Barton, Deputy Director – Learning

·  Chris Hudson, Policy, Planning and Procedures Leader

The Director of Children and Families introduce the item and highlighted the changes in the Leeds under 18 population as providing context to the performance data provided to the Board.

In addition, the Director highlighted areas of concern and challenge being faced by the directorate, highlighting the impact of the pandemic in terms of impact on mental health services and CAMHS and poverty with 44% of pupils in Leeds living in the most 20% deprived localities in the city. It was also noted that poverty significantly increases the likelihood of experiencing neglect and abuse and of ultimately becoming a Child Looked After. The increase in CLA numbers was noted along with the ‘broken system’ as highlighted by the MacAlister Review and the demand pressures for CLA services and growing costs of those services. SEND demand pressures were also noted with the report setting out the increase in demand and the need to meet needs in a timely way in line with statutory duties.

In response to comments and question the following issues were covered:

·  In response to a question regarding the number of CLA looked after in Leeds provision, 64% are cared for through internal provision which compares to a core city average of 49.6% and 49.3% average for statistical neighbours. Of those that are new to the care system between 60% and 70% are cared for in Leeds with the remaining often due to specific or specialist needs, cared for externally.

·  The Board also heard about the wider sufficiency strategy which discharges the duty to provide sufficient quantity and mix of care placements in Leeds. A central theme of this is to increase and develop the Council’s own provision through foster care and small group residential homes which is focused on keeping Leeds children in Leeds.

·  The Board discussed EHCPs with reference to the statutory timescales and how the Council might reach 100% of EHCPs being in place within the 20 week statutory timescale. There are plans in place linked to the PwC work to improve timescales and to tackle backlogs within the next five months that should improve timeliness figures. There are some dependencies on this such as having a full staff cohort. The Board requested additional data on the specifics of EHCP timescales so how many are completed within 25 weeks, 30 weeks or more.

·  The Board noted pressure points in the EHCP system linked to availability of education psychologists and the  writing up of plans as the number of plans increase, additional resource will ease the pressure in these areas. It was also noted that the service dealing with EHCPs is currently dealing and finalising more cases than they ever have, and the key issue is demand pressure with the volume of cases having increased significantly in recent years.

·  Members asked about FFI (Funding for Inclusion) and plans to review that system and also about how much of the EHCP forms part of the provision offered on the ground. In response the Board heard that the directorate will gradually migrate away from FFI, this will be done carefully with prioritisation of FFI transition and clear planning with schools to make sure there are no gaps in provision. This work is ongoing the directorate has and continues to work closely with education leaders in the city to secure their views and support for change. A carefully prioritised list of children is being developed with key stakeholders, mindful of managing demand and with a commitment to funding existing FFI packages until migration can take place. The principle of early intervention and the provision of early help for children with additional needs underpinned the establishment of FFI in the city. FFI has been recognised historically by the DfE and external bodies as an example of best practice, however the Local Authority and its key partners agreed that a review was necessary. The review has been undertaken with schools and other key partners with a focus on fulfilment of the Local Authority statutory duty to assess where appropriate whilst ensuring that children and families have access to timely and effective early help in education settings.

·  In response to the question on provision work is ongoing to develop a strategic plan to create additional places where they will be needed working with schools to work out what the offer will be and where provision will be provided.

·  The Board heard that this is a clear priority for the directorate and senior leaders have recently met with the Leeds Parent Carer Forum listening to concerns and working with them to deliver improved performance in this area. It was also recognised that early help, family help and prevention are key elements of the ongoing approach, to identify needs and meet them at the earliest opportunity.

·  The Board highlighted that the system can appear to be fragmented from a parent and carer perspective, noting that one size does not fit all and the importance of setting out clearly what the offer is in Leeds. In response the Board heard about the importance of listening to parents, carers and children and collaboration and co-production as key principles of the service. Clarity on the services available and providing support to access them were noted as key points.

·  The board also heard about timeliness being important but also quality being as important. The speed of EHCP reviews were also noted.

·  The Board discussed support groups and the need to make everyone aware of them and the support that can be offered by sharing experiences and discussing what is available and providing mutual support. It was acknowledged how lonely it can be when support is not available or communicated for parents and carers.

·  Whilst there are issues with the system the Board also noted the efforts of staff working in the service to deal with increased demand.

·  Board members asked about the number of children being re-united from care to their families. In response the Board heard of the kinship care service in Leeds, which is one of the largest in the country, this along with special guardianships keeps care arrangements within wider families. There is also an expanded team aimed at re-unifying families, this focusses on the support required for children to be re-united with their birth families and addresses the decreasing numbers of children who have been successfully reunited with family which can often be linked to the ages of CLAs with more adolescents coming into the CLA system. The Board noted the impact of more children and young people, particularly adolescents, living in areas of high deprivation and the impact that is having in terms of adolescents entering care, the highest cohort entering care in 2023 was adolescents and children aged under one. The Futures Service was referenced which is focussed on parents and carers who have had a child taken into care, unfortunately those who had a child taken into care are at higher risk of further children being taken into care.

·  The Board asked about children and young people with not known status, these figures have been reduced but NEET figures have increased. In response on Not Knowns the improved relationships with settings at key time such as Year 11, was cited as a measure taken to understand more about what children and young people are doing and to target resource at NEETs to get them to re-engage with employment, education and training settings.

·  The Board discussed budget gaps and business transformation. A Delivery Board, chaired by the Director, is in place to oversee service transformation and dealing with issues such as transport, CLA sufficiency strategy and demand and demography issues. All of these have strategic plans in place providing a clear framework to deliver transformation and improved services and outcomes.

·  Members highlighted residents who do not speak English as a first language and how they access services as being an added complication when parents and carers are planning to access services. This was  noted as an area for constant prioritisation.

·  In response to questions the board were informed of a 30% increase in the number of unaccompanied asylum seekers in the city and the knock on impacts on CLA. In addition, the number of incorrectly age assessed asylum seekers is an ongoing challenge.

·  Board members highlighted re-offending rates as an area of potential concern and what might be done to tackle the cycle of re-offending. It was noted that the re-offending rate is influenced by a small cohort of frequent re-offending children and young people. Re-offending rates are a challenge, but the number of offences and seriousness of offences are reducing linked to programmes such as Turnaround.

·  On school absences the Board expressed concern about the data remaining stubbornly high and that it may be an issue that is returned to in the municipal year, noting the links between persistent and severe absence and NEETs.

·  In closing remarks on this item, the Executive Member for Children and Families noted the importance of the not known and NEET data and acknowledged the efforts of staff working across the directorate in a number of challenging areas and doing an excellent job.

Resolved - The Board considered and commented on the information contained in the report and appendices and noted the assurance provided on the performance data.