Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Head of Service Early Help and Protection.

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Service Early Help and protection relating to progress made in respect of the recommendations contained in the task and finish report on residential care completed in August 2010.

The report indicated that all of the recommendations of the task and finish groups had been enacted, but that since the review had been undertaken a number of changes to the Councils arrangements for cared for Children had occurred.

 In addition, an increase in in-house residential provision had ensured a reduction in the number of children placed in costly residential provision from 42 in April 2012 to 25 at the end of September 2013.

At the end of August 2013 82% of cared for children were living within a family situation compared to only 68% in April 2012. Adoption rates were increasing leading to the number of children exiting care increasing form16 in 2009/10 to 26 in 2012/13. There was also a continuing drive to reduce the number of children placed in external residential care.

RSOLVED - That the report be received.