Agenda item

Councillor Alun Williams (Cabinet Member for Through Age and Wellbeing) presented the Independent Reviewing Service Report Quarter 1 and 2 2022/2023. Quarterly reports were taken to the Healthier Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee as part of an ongoing examination of the topic to ensure that the Local Authority fulfils its duties as the Corporate Parent. The report includes national and local standards and targets used to measure outcomes for looked-after children (LAC) and care leavers at the time of their review meeting and includes WG Performance Indicators. Based on the information available and the views expressed during the review meeting, the IRO makes a professional judgement about the effectiveness of a child/young person’s care plan in meeting their needs and may recommend changes to the care plan. During the review meeting, the IRO considers whether the child/young person requires assistance to identify relevant other people to obtain legal advice/take proceedings on their behalf. This action was deemed necessary for 4 young people by the IRO (2 in Quarter 1 and 2 in Quarter 2 2022/23). In addition, the IRO has regard as to whether the child/young person’s human rights are being breached in any way and, if so, might make a referral to CAFCASS Cymru. This action was not required at any of the review meetings in the period.

These reports are considered within Multi Agency LAC Quality Assurance Meetings which meet quarterly; these meetings provide an opportunity to identify and act upon performance and other issues with this area of work. The reports are also circulated and reviewed by the Local Authority’s Corporate Parenting Group, which takes place quarterly. Councillor Alun Williams proceeded to present a Summary of the Key Points noted on page 2 of both reports.

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions which were answered by Elizabeth Upcott and Councillor Alun Williams. The main points raised were as follows:

·       The significant increase in the number of LAC since Covid-19 was a trend nationally. No specific explanation was available at present for this, but reporting increased once children were seen again by professionals.

·       No issues were reported with the attendance of professionals nor with foster carers in LAC reviews. Meetings were usually out of timescales due to problems arranging a suitable date for all involved.

·       In terms of the children’s health needs, the authority worked closely with Hywel Dda UHB. A LAC nurse attended monitoring and review meetings, therefore any issues such as dental appointments could be raised. In cases where children were not registered with a dentist within 20 days, the delay was usually due to the logistics of attending the practice. 

·       Many placements were out of county due to the complex needs of the children and the lack of placements within Ceredigion, which proved challenging in an emergency. A residential provision in 3 different locations across the county would be available hopefully by the Summer, which would ensure that children remain as close as possible to the community.

·       Early intervention and prevention were the main objectives however in some situations, children had to be removed from the home due to the level of risk. The number of children who remained in care for 2 years or longer in Ceredigion was similar to neighbouring local authorities.

·       Due to issues in the Planned Care Team, there has been some delay in providing wrap-around support for LAC.

The Chair expressed her appreciation to the department and acknowledged that the service continued to face challenges with recruitment.

Following questions by the Committee Members, it was agreed to note the contents of the report and the levels of activity with the Local Authority.