Agenda item

To consider the Cared for Children and Young People Annual Report.

Shan McPartland- Designated Nurse Looked after Children and Care Leavers NHS Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) presented the item to the Committee that highlighted the responsibilities for the CCG and the key legislation that CCG worked from.

The Committee were made aware that the Annual Report covered 2019-2020, however toward end of year, the Covid-19 pandemic impacted on the work of the last quarter.

The Committee were advised that in April 2020 the 4 CCGs in Cheshire merged to become one CCG Cheshire, however for purposes of the report, the data referred to the west and south/mid CCG.

There were 533 cared for children at that time, a 10% increase on the previous year and there had been a rise of 24% the year before.  170 children were placed into Cheshire East by other Local Authorities.  Received same service that Cheshire East would receive- not the case in other areas, unwanted variation- quality of arrangements CQC 2016, not seen, not heard- areas such as access to timely health services and mental health for looked for children across England can vary. 

There was a statutory requirement of 20 days for children to have a health assessment with a paediatrician. There had been a drop due to capacity within clinics as doctors had been isolating because of Covid and shortages of staff.

There had been challenges this year within the pandemic, but there had been greater scrutiny of late appointments and there was a focus to make pathways more streamlined.

In terms of the key performance indicators- dental checks for children across Cheshire east whilst was consistent, was lower than the CCG would like.  There had been extreme difficulties accessing dental services during the pandemic.  Face to face appointments were at 40% capacity once reopened after lockdown.

The CCG were trying to create a commissioning pathway to address dental services for cared for and looked after children nationally.

Immunisation was excellent and well above national average.  Developmental checks, performed well, Care leaver health summaries- 2019/20 100% care leavers received a summary of their health.

Throughout year, themes identified were as expected: wellbeing issues, attachment, previous trauma, smoking and substance, social communication difficulties, and self-harm.

There were gaps and risk that related to the mental and emotional support for young people up to 25 and children placed into Cheshire East by other Local Authorities, these risks had been escalated risks and were being reviewed nationally.

The 2020-21 priorities included:

• continuation of reviewing arrangement for Initial Health Assessments;
• Annual Quality Assurance visit to Prover services by Designated Nurse; and
• Development of an effective tool that can be used to measure health outcomes for Cared for Children

In summary 2019-20 had not been easy in addressing priorities but the CCG was looking to address the work for 2020-21.

The Committee were invited to ask questions.

There was some discussion about how the nurse did health visits for out of area children.  Shan advised there was a notification system and handover from nurses.  For any issues that related to Outpatient, hospital, ADHD or speech this was handed over to where child is placed.  If the level of service was not as good, Cheshire will retain the workload and nurses will travel to ensure health needs are being met.

With regard to immunisation, if the child was below school age it was received as part of national healthy child programme and done at the GP practice.  School children are included within schools.

RESOLVED:

That Shan McPartland be thanked for her attendance and presentation and that the report be received and noted.