These are the statutory partners who are required to work alongside the Local Authority and include the Health Services, the Police, schools, youth offending teams and the voluntary sector. There are also other partners who do not have a statutory duty to co-operate with us but with whom we will need to engage and encourage partnership working in order to ensure delivery of the required outcomes. The Children and Person’s Act 2008 requires local authorities to take steps to secure sufficient suitable accommodation for looked after children within their area which meets their needs. It also strengthens the care planning process and the role of the Independent Reviewing Officer in monitoring the plan, of which the child’s health and education plans are essential components. The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 has introduced a single remand order for children and young people under the age of 18 who are refused bail, which will mean that they will become looked after for the duration of their remand, and may mean they are entitled to leaving care services. The legislative framework is supported by statutory guidance that described roles and responsibilities in more detail. Statutory guidance should be adhered to. Statutory Guidance on Promoting the Health and Well-being of Looked After Children placed a statutory requirement of PCTs to analyse the health needs of looked after children, plan and commission services, and monitor and review effectiveness. Although PCTs have been replaced by Clinical Commissioning Groups, the government’s ‘mandate’ to the NHS Commissioning Board for 2013 – 2015 states: “We expect to see the NHS, working together with schools and children’s social services, supporting and safeguarding vulnerable, looked after and adoptive children, through a more joined up approach to addressing their needs.” Promoting the Educational Achievement of Looked After Children: Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities confirmed the duty to actively support looked after children’s education, including the priority given to school admissions, restriction on the use of school exclusion and the introduction of personal education allowances to purchase tailored support. The Children Act 1989 Guidance and Regulations Volume 2: Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulation and Guidance clarify the expectations of care planning and review for looked after children and strengthen the role of the Independent Reviewing Officer to challenge when identified needs are not being met.
that never gives up. will help you grow and reach your potential. for your well being. watches over you. you from being bullied has big ears to listen to you has good eyes to watch you with isn’t prejudice comes out and checks where you live to make sure it’s good enough for you. treats you like everybody else. thinks this be good enough for my own child?” The ‘Oldham Pledge’ To Looked After Children and Young People These commitments set a benchmark for all our staff and could be readily referred to if any looked after child believes their care is not up to the standard they should reasonably expect. We will provide a home where you feel safe and secure. We will make sure the people who look after you and work with you care for you, support you and encourage you in everything you do. We will make sure that you are involved in decisions that affect you and make sure you are listened to by supporting the Children in Care Council.
OBJECTIVE 1 –To act in the best interests, and promote the physical and mental health and well-being of those looked after children and young people and care leavers ACTION TIMESCALES PERSON RESPONSIBLE OUTCOMES PROGRESS RAG Appropriate quarterly reporting to CP Panel including robust data and performance May, August, November 2017, February 2018 Corporate Parenting Panel Actions taken that clearly improve or develop services to better meet the needs of LAC and care leavers as a result of direct challenge within CP panel Closer scrutiny and challenge that will impact on service improvements/ developments and ultimately better outcomes for LAC and care leavers Quarterly Corporate parenting meetings with strong multi agency representation The agenda of the has covered the wide range of outcome areas for LAC and there has been positive reporting to enable effective challenge Corporate parenting panel oversee development of the commissioning priorities and associated action plans Regular performance reporting presented to Corporate parenting agenda to provide sufficient time to scrutinize ask questions and challenge poor performance. May, August, November 2017, February 2018 Corporate Parenting Panel Quarterly health updates at CP Panel May, August, November 2017, February 2018 Caroline Waldron Associate Designated Nurse for Looked After Children Improved access services (that best their needs) for CLA care leavers All care leavers have health information to themselves Sexual health of CLA care leavers to improve level Reduction in numbers looked after becoming teenage Designated LAC Nurse presents relevant information to panel each quarter Annual report presented and scrutinized at Autumn panel LAC Health Audit report reviewed Continued consultation with CLA and care leavers to explore 3 key priorities for them: sexual health, emotional health and access to services for CLA, inc OOB Ongoing Bernadette Deakin/Jodie Barber Participation and Empowerment Team Caroline Waldron Sexual health, healthy lifestyles, drug and alcohol use are all discussed as part of the LAC health assessment age appropriately and are done on an individual basis Ensure the health passport for care leavers is finalised Achieved June 2017 Bernadette Deakin/Jodie Barber Health passport implemented and rolled out
Reduction in number CLA and care working with Participation and Empowerment Team Quality assurance process to be embedded of Initial and Annual health assessments May, August, November 2017, February 2018 Caroline Waldron Monthly monitoring of compliance with looked after children’s health assessments completed within timescales and monitored by panel Improved performance around Strength and Difficulty questionnaires. Ongoing Caroline Waldron SDQ stability report presented and reviewed by CP and work ongoing to improve Review of training delivered within all agencies of the specific health of Looked After Children and their Corporate Parenting Role October 17 All Multi agency briefing sessions developed and delivered across the Council and partner agencies.
Corporate parenting agenda to provide sufficient time to scrutinize ask questions and challenge poor performance. Quarterly All Improved understanding of the data provided and the current position regarding Oldham’s cohort of LAC Closer scrutiny and challenge that will impact on service improvements/ developments and ultimately better outcomes for LAC and care leavers Quarterly Corporate parenting panel meetings with strong multi agency representation The agenda of the panel has covered the wide range of outcome areas for LAC and there has been positive reporting to enable effective challenge Corporate parenting panel oversee development of the commissioning priorities and associated action plans Regular performance reporting presented to panel. Review of panel members to ensure appropriate partner representation Ongoing Clare Bamforth Improved wider opportunities for LAC and care leavers Improved understanding of LAC and Care Leavers across Oldham Membership reviewed and updated regularly – particular focus recently on elected member representation Review of permanence team devoted to children who are looked after 2017 Mason Increase number of social workers in post for two or more Improved stability for CLA and care leavers in terms social work allocation Increased number of CLA and care leavers involved recruitment and selection workforce across all Permanence team in and well established. Permanent Social Workers recruited to replace agency staff in field work services. Commitment to Professional Competency Framework for social workers Ongoing Bernie O Principle Social Worker Oldham is taking part in the NAAS (National Assessment and Accreditation System) pilot. Update to be shared at future Corporate parenting panel Learning Mentors in place to support AYSE Social Workers
O OBJECTIVE 7. To prepare children and young people for adulthood and independent living ACTION TIMESCALES PERSON RESPONSIBLE OUTCOMES PROGRESS RAG Explore the Positive Pathway model, Oldham diagnostic and discussion, mapping of Oldham’s current and future challenges, opportunities and prioritizing exercise Ongoing Patsy Burrows Head of Service CLA and care leavers Number of care leavers in suitable housing that provides security and stability that provides positive outcomes Increase number of care leavers in further education, training or employment Clear evidence of information sharing with care leavers to ensure up to date knowledge on entitlements Robust performance management framework for the service in place to assess effectiveness and identify poor performance/areas of risk to the service. Entitlement Booklet now complete Passport to Independence complete and being rolled out Service improvement plan in place to improve performance of After Care team Completion of entitlements information resource and demonstrate care leaver awareness Anna Tyborczyk Employability Officer Get Oldham Working Entitlement booklet complete Local Offer to be updated with Care Leaver information Review impact of changes to housing benefit on care leavers and consider wider implications Tracey Taylor After Care Team Manager Ann-Marie McGinn Housing Wider piece of work with Housing Support Colleagues to explore changes to welfare reform and impact on young people