Issue - meetings

The Panel considered the report of the Executive Director – Children and Learning which recommended that the Panel note and challenge the current service response to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman report on the experiences of Looked After Children and consider the opportunities identified for future scrutiny.

Councillor Paffey, Cabinet Member for Children and Learning and Robert Henderson, Executive Director Wellbeing (Children and Learning), Southampton City Council, were present and, with the consent of the Chair, addressed the Panel. 

In discussions with the Cabinet Member and officers, the Panel noted the following:

·  Unregulated placements were taken up by 16 or 17 year olds.  Risk was assessed and placements were made for those who struggled with foster homes that were found challenging for any particular child. Not considered to be a problem in Southampton at this time. 

·  Foster placements had been difficult to achieve during the pandemic, however the courts had awarded 10 secured adoptions in February and it was hoped these placements would be returning to normality as the lockdown eased. 

·  The Council had a duty and obligation to have children’s homes in the area.  Some young people will choose a residential home over foster homes. 

·  The challenges of moving children during a period of online learning.

·  Provision of extra support for Foster Carers to permanently adopt. 

RESOLVED:

(i)  The Panel to receive information of how many children had been moved during the period of online learning.

(ii)  Further scrutiny be programmed to enable a consideration of the sufficiency of placements, looked after children’s mental health together with the Child Protection Chairs report to provide further context.

(iii)  Executive Director to provide details on waiting times for children with special education needs seeking a new school.