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Children, Young People & Learning
Bracknell Forest Council
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Annex 1
Looked After Children Commissioning Strategy
April 2013-15
Version 1.0
April 2013
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Looked After Children Commissioning Strategy 2013-15
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Care Matters Steering Group
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Sheila McKeand Head of Service for LAC
Review date This document is to be reviewed a minimum of every 3 years, the next
review to occur no later than March 2015. Incremental reviews may
take place as required.
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No copies in other languages are currently available.
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electronic format.
Copies in alternative languages may also be obtained.
Please contact:
Pol icy and Commissioning Off icer
Children’s Social care
Bracknel l Forest Borough Counci l
Time Square
Market Street
Bracknel l
Berkshire RG12 1JD
Email: sarah.roberts@bracknell- forest.gov.uk
Telephone: 01344 351582
Fax: 01344 351521
Minicom: 01344 352045
Bracknell Forest Council
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Table of Contents (Press F9 to refresh)
1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................1
2 National Context...........................................................................................................1
3 Local Context ...............................................................................................................2
4 Our vision .....................................................................................................................3
5 Needs Analysis ............................................................................................................4
5.1 Demographics................................................................................................4
5.2 Ethnicity .........................................................................................................4
5.3 Age ................................................................................................................5
5.4 Legal status ...................................................................................................5
5.5 Current Placements .......................................................................................6
5.6 Duration of Care Episodes .............................................................................8
5.7 Placement Stability and Permanence.............................................................8
5.8 Health ............................................................................................................9
5.9 Educational Attainment ................................................................................10
5.10 Special Educational Needs ..........................................................................11
5.11 Offending .....................................................................................................11
5.12 Care Leavers ...............................................................................................11
5.13 Participation .................................................................................................12
6 Description of Current Provision for Children..............................................................12
6.1 Supporting Children and Young People on the Edge of Care.......................12
6.2 Multi-agency working ...................................................................................13
6.3 Children’s Social Care .................................................................................13
6.4 Placements..................................................................................................14
6.5 Residential Provision ...................................................................................14
6.6 Foster Care..................................................................................................14
6.7 Leaving Care ...............................................................................................14
6.8 Education.....................................................................................................15
6.9 Health ..........................................................................................................16
6.10 Youth Services.............................................................................................17
6.11 Youth Offending...........................................................................................18
6.12 Training and Employment ............................................................................19
6.13 Accommodation ...........................................................................................19
6.14 Children and Young People’s Participation ..................................................19
6.15 Corporate parents........................................................................................20
6.16 Outcomes of Inspections by Ofsted .............................................................21
7 Recent Changes in Local and National Landscape which may affect
future Commissioning Aims........................................................................................21
7.1 Changing Age Profile of LAC .......................................................................21
7.2 Social and Economic Context ......................................................................22
7.3 Raising of Participation Age .........................................................................22
7.4 Increased funding for Schools......................................................................22
7.5 Benefits Changes (Housing Benefit and Child Benefit) ................................23
7.6 Changes Resulting from LASPO Act 2012 - Remands.................................23
7.7 Family Justice Review .................................................................................24
7.8 Youth Service Restructuring ........................................................................24
8 8 Strategic Commissioning Aims ................................................................................24
8.1 To Support Children and Young People on the Edge of Care ......................24
8.2 To Minimise Delay in Placing Children for Permanency ...............................25
8.3 To Provide Appropriate Placements When Necessary.................................25
8.4 Placement Stability and Effective Care Planning..........................................25
8.5 To Improve Health and Wellbeing ................................................................26
8.6 To Improve Educational Outcomes ..............................................................26
8.7 To Prepare Children and Young People for Adulthood and
Independence ............................................................................................................26
8.8 To Listen to Young People about how they want their
services delivered.......................................................................................................27
9 Challenges and Service Gaps Identified Locally.........................................................27
9.1 To Provide Appropriate Placements When Necessary.................................27
10 Commissioning Priorities ............................................................................................29
11 Annex 1 Graphs and Tables.......................................................................................31
12 Annex 2 Commissioning Strategy for Looked After Children Action
Plan............................................................................................................................37
Commissioning Strategy for Looked after Children and Care Leavers 2013-15
Page 1
1 Introduction
The purpose of this Commissioning Strategy is to understand and plan for the current and future needs of our Looked After Children and Care Leavers to support them in achieving good outcomes and positive futures. This strategy covers the period of 2013 to 2015 and it follows the commissioning principles identified by the Children and Young People’s Partnership in its Joint Commissioning Strategy.
The Strategy has been developed using a range of methods:
• Analysis of national and local data.
• Qualitative and quantitative information from the Life Chances Team to inform a gap analysis.
• Views of young people and of partner agencies.
Listening to the voice of the child
'Bracknell Forest has a well established process of listening to the voice of Looked After Children and Care Leavers through their active participation in the Children in Care Council and other events and activities. The issues raised by young people have contributed to the development and direction of this Strategy. The implementation of this Strategy will be monitored and reviewed with our Looked After Children and young people in age appropriate activities.'
This Strategy incorporates the Bracknell Forest Sufficiency of Accommodation Action Plan, which sets out priorities for action over the next three years to ensure Bracknell Forest Council meet the sufficiency duty, i.e. the requirement to take steps to secure, as far as reasonably practicable, sufficient accommodation for Looked After Children within their local authority area. One of the underlying principles in the Strategy is that all agencies working with vulnerable children have a responsibility to work together to secure good outcomes. We believe that partnership working to support our Looked After Children and Care Leavers is a strength in Bracknell Forest and is key to the successful delivery of the priorities in this Strategy.
2 National Context
At the end of March 2012, there were 67,050 looked-after children and young people in England. Almost 75% of these were in a foster placement and approximately 12% were cared for in residential accommodation (including secure units, children's homes, hostels, residential schools and other residential settings).
The health and wellbeing of looked-after children and young people – that is, their physical health, and social, educational and emotional wellbeing – is influenced by nearly all aspects of their lives and the care they receive. Experiences early in life may have long-term consequences for health and social development. Some looked-after children and young people have positive experiences in the care system and achieve good emotional and physical health, do well in their education and go on to have good jobs and careers. However, looked-after children are more likely to have experienced deprivation and poverty as a result of low family income or parental unemployment. About 60% of children and
Commissioning Strategy for Looked after Children and Care Leavers 2013-15
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young people who are looked after in England are reported to have emotional and mental health problems and a high proportion experience poor health, educational and social outcomes after leaving care. The main reason for children and young people entering care in the year up to April 2012 was abuse or neglect (reported in 62% of cases).
Looked-after children and young people should expect to have the same opportunities as other children and young people, including being healthy and safe. They should be provided with the opportunities needed to help them move successfully to adulthood.
The needs of looked-after children and young people vary, but are often complex, and can be met only by a range of services operating collaboratively across different settings.
The Children Act 1989, the Care Standards Act 2000 and accompanying regulations and statutory guidance provide the legal framework within which local authorities, providers of fostering services and children's homes must work.
3 Local Context
The Borough’s population is 113,200 (2011 Census). The population growth rate has slowed considerably since 2001 from 11.7% to 3.3%. It is now much lower compared to both the South East region (7.9%) and England (7.9%); 26% of the population are aged between 0–19 years of age, this represents 26% of the total population.
Bracknell Forest is one of the least deprived areas of the country (ranked 291 out of 326 local authorities in England on the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2010); the average free school meals eligibility remains relatively low in the national context (8.5% in 2013).
These headline figures mask significant pockets of deprivation. For instance, eleven primary schools have free school meal eligibility in excess of 10%; 11% of 0-16 year olds in the borough are living in poverty, compared to a national average of 21.6%. However, there are six wards in the borough that have child poverty rates higher than the regional average with the highest ward rate being 23%.
Educational attainment of children and young people has improved significantly between 2001 and 2012. Results show that the proportion of young people obtaining 5 or more GCSE grades A* - C including English and mathematics improved from 59.6% to 61%, the highest ever.
The proportion of young people achieving the other main measure of attainment at Key
Stage 4 (5 or more GCSE grades A* - C) has risen by 2%.
Between 2001 and 2013 the proportion of school pupils from Minority Ethnic Groups
increased from 6% to 17.9%.
9.6% of pupils have English as an Additional Language (EAL) and 79 different languages
are spoken in our schools (Jan 2013 School Census), although many of these in very small
numbers.
The 2011 Census showed that 84.9% of the population is ‘White British’ and the Black;
Minority Ethnic (BME) population is 15.1%.
Commissioning Strategy for Looked after Children and Care Leavers 2013-15
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Services for Looked After Children and Care Leavers were judged to be good by Ofsted in the Inspection of Safeguarding and Looked after Children Inspection in November 2011.
4 Our vision
This LAC Commissioning Strategy supports the delivery of the vision and priorities set out in
The Children and Young People’s Plan “Creating Opportunities – a joint strategic plan for
children and young people in Bracknell Forest 2011 – 2014”
The vision in the plan is to:
“Enable all children, young people and families to lead healthy and fulfilled lives, to play an
active role within their community and realise their aspirations and potential through the well
coordinated provision of support and services”
The Plan identifies four outcome priorities, and six underpinning priorities, which partners
and stakeholders believe to be the key priorities for improving outcomes for children and
young people.
Outcome Priorities
OP1 Raise levels of attainment and pupil progress across all phases of learning for
all pupils
OP2 Improve physical and emotional health and wellbeing from conception to birth
and throughout life
OP3 Safeguard and protect children and young people
OP4 Improve outcomes for all children and young people, especially the more
vulnerable groups
Underpinning Priorities
UP5 Support children and young people through key transitions in their lives
UP6 Embed prevention and early intervention into the routine delivery of all
services to children, young people and families
UP7 Close the gap between children from low income backgrounds and their
peers
UP8 Strengthen parents and families through effective family support and
engagement
UP9 Support children and young people to become active citizens within their
communities
UP10 Ensure good quality service provision through effective commissioning
Commissioning Strategy for Looked after Children and Care Leavers 2013-15
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In addition to supporting the priorities in the Children and Young People’s Plan, this Strategy
also supports the delivery of the Sustainable Community Strategy (Nurturing the Next
Generation) and the Council’s Medium Term Objective (support our younger residents to
maximise their potential).
5 Needs Analysis This section provides a summary of the analysis of the data and information available for our
Looked After Children and Care Leavers. Annex 1 provides more detailed breakdowns of
information shown in graphs and tables.
5.1 Demographics
Number of Looked After Children in Bracknell Forest
Mar 08/09 Actual
Mar 09/10 Actual
Mar 10/11 Actual
Mar 11/12 Actual
Mar 12/13 Actual
Number of Looked After Children
82 88 87 100 103
Bracknell Forest rate per 10,000 U18 population
30.5 32.7 32.0 37.6 38.7
South East rate per 10,000 U18 population
42.0 45.0 46.0 47.0 N/A
England rate per 10,000 U18 population
55.0 58.0 59.0 59.0 N/A
Bracknell Forest Council historically has a lower rate of Looked After Children in relation to
the South East and England population. Although the rate has remained low, the rates over
the past two years are indicative of the increased intervention leading to more children being
taken into care. The rate increased significantly between 2010/11 and 2011/12, but has
remained more stable between 2011/12 and 2012/13 with an increase of three children.
The flow of children who come in and out of care remains fairly stable and this is shown in
Table 1 in annex 1.
5.2 Ethnicity
Mar-10 Mar-11 Mar-12 Mar-13
White British 72 72 83 78
White Irish 1 1 0 0
Any other White background 0 1 5 8
White and Black Caribbean 2 1 4 6
White and Black African 2 2 4 2
White and Asian 0 1 0 3
Any other Mixed background 0 1 0 0
Any other Asian background 4 2 2 2
Caribbean 0 0 0 1
African 5 4 1 2
Commissioning Strategy for Looked after Children and Care Leavers 2013-15
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Any other ethnic group 2 2 1 1
Total number of looked after children 88 87 100 103
The table shows that the representation of children from BME and shows that 75% of the
LAC population is White British, 8% any other white background and 17% from a range of
BME backgrounds. This is largely in line with the general population.
The small number of children from BME groups provides additional challenges to ensure that
the cultural needs of individuals are met appropriately an example is the small number of
Unaccompanied Minors from abroad who are placed outside the area in communities where
their cultural needs can be better met.
5.3 Age
Number of Looked After Children by Age and % change
between 2010 - 2013 Mar-10 Mar-11 Mar-12 Mar-13
% change 2010 - Mar 13
0 - 4 12 12 24 22 83%
5 - 10 9 14 21 22 144%
11 - 14 25 24 24 28 12%
15+ 42 37 31 31 -26%
Total number of looked after children 88 87 100 103
Rate per 10,000 of population 32.7 32.0 36.8 37.9
• The number of children aged 11– 4 has remained fairly stable with only a small increase.
• The number of young people aged 15+ has reduced significantly.
• The numbers of younger children in the 0–4 and 5–10 age brackets have seen the
highest increases; this includes an increase in care proceedings.
This increase in care proceedings has implications for resources in terms of time needed for
Court work, assessments; and demand for permanent substitute placements in adoption or
long term foster care.
The demand for over 16 year olds requiring accommodation through S20 of the Children’s
Act has reduced and does not appear to have had a significant impact.
5.4 Legal status
Number of Looked After Children by Legal Status between 2010 - 2013
Mar-10 Mar-11 Mar-12 Mar-13
Interim Care Orders (C1) 11 7 18 13
Full Care Orders (C2) 25 27 29 32
% of looked after children on care orders 41% 39% 48% 45%
Placement Orders (E1) 2 5 8 18
Section 20 (V2) 50 48 44 39
Commissioning Strategy for Looked after Children and Care Leavers 2013-15
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Other (inc L1 etc) 0 0 1 1
Total number of Looked After Children 88 87 100 103
The table above shows the legal status of looked after children between 2010 and 2013. It
shows an increase in the numbers of children in legal proceedings, and an increase in
children on placement orders, and a decrease in voluntary accommodation under Section
20.
Legal Status of Looked after Children by Age Group (as at 31st March 2013)
Interim or Full Care order
Single period of accommodation under Section 20
Placement Order
Other i.e. youth justice codes etc
Total
0 - 4 8 3 11 0 22
5 - 10 10 5 7 0 22
11 - 14 18 10 0 0 28
15+ 9 21 0 1 31
Total 45 39 18 1 103
This table shows the legal status of children by age as at 31 March 2013.
• The majority of children with Care Orders are aged 11 years and over.
• Children who are in care proceedings are made the subject of Interim Care Orders until
the conclusion of the hearing.
• There has been an increase in the number of Placement Orders made during 2012-2013
but there is a slight reduction in Interim Orders over this period which may indicate a
downward trend, or levelling out of the number of children we can expect to require
permanency during the 2013-14. The number of children accommodated under S20
Children’s Act has been reducing.
5.5 Current Placements
5.5.1 Type of Placement
Mar-10 Mar-11 Mar-12 Mar-13
Placed for Adoption 0 2 3 4
Foster Care (Bracknell Forest approved carers)
34 43 47 50
Fostered with relative/friend 6 5 8 7
Agency Foster Care 8 11 19 18
Secure Unit 0 0 0 0
Residential Homes/Hostels 12 11 13 12
Placed with parents 7 0 3 5
Independent Living 12 7 4 1
Residential Schools (SEN and Other) 10 8 3 5
Commissioning Strategy for Looked after Children and Care Leavers 2013-15
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Other 1 0 0 1
Total number of looked after children 88 87 100 103
L140 - % children looked after placed with BFC foster carers, adoption or with parents
51.1% 57.5% 61.0% 64.1%
The table above shows the number of children placed with Bracknell Forest approved foster
carers has increased steadily over the past three years. However the increase in demand
has also meant that some children have been placed with Independent Foster Agency
carers.
5.5.2 Children Placed outside of Bracknell Forest.
Mar-10 Mar-11 Mar-12 Mar-13
Total number of children placed outside the LA
39 36 39 41
Of this, number of children placed OLA within Berkshire (excluding those placed for Adoption)
14 11 11 12
% of children placed OLA within Berkshire (excluding those placed for Adoption)
35.9% 30.6% 28.2% 29.3%
Total number of children placed within Berkshire (excluding those placed for Adoption)
63 60 60 70
% children placed within Berkshire (excluding those placed for Adoption)
71.6% 70.6% 61.9% 70.7%
The table above shows the children placed outside of Bracknell Forest for many children it is
in their best interests to be placed in homes near to their family and home community so that
they can maintain contact with their family and friends and continue to attend the same
school.
Some children are placed outside the Borough but within Berkshire, enabling their education
and health needs to be met by local resources. Bracknell Forest does not have residential
accommodation, apart from a short break respite unit for disabled children.
Children who require specialist placements are placed outside the Borough.
5.5.3 Quality of Residential Placements
As of the 31st of March 2013 there were 14 children in residential placements. All the homes except one have been inspected by Ofsted with the following outcomes: 4 Outstanding 9 Good homes None were Adequate One home is awaiting an inspection currently.
Commissioning Strategy for Looked after Children and Care Leavers 2013-15
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A monitoring system ensures that every residential home has robust policies for managing children who abscond and for those who may be at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation. The providers are asked to complete a questionnaire as well as provide these explicit policies, which are then disseminated to the allocated social worker for information and reference.
5.6 Duration of Care Episodes
Number of Looked After Children for 12 months+
Mar-10 Mar-12 Mar-13
0 - 4 3 5 13
5 - 10 4 12 15
11 - 14 19 15 21
15+ 33 27 24
Total 59 59 73
There has been a significant increase in the number of younger children becoming looked
after and remaining in care for over 12 months. The majority of these children will be the
subject of care proceedings and may remain in the care system until plans for permanency
are finalised.
5.7 Placement Stability and Permanence
5.7.1 Stability
Placements: Number Mar-10 Mar-11 Mar-12 Mar-13
Number of LAC with 3+ placements 17 7 10 12
Number of LAC (exc. Short term placements) 88 87 100 103
% of LAC with 3+ placements 19.3% 8.0% 10.0% 11.7%
Placements: Stability Mar-10 Mar-11 Mar-12 Mar-13
Number of LAC in current placements for 2 years+ 8 9 16 13
Total LAC aged under 16 and in care 2.5 years+ 16 15 21 19
% in long term stable placements 50.0% 60.0% 76.2% 68.4%
The stability of placements is measured by the number of children who have been looked
after for longer than two and a half years and who have been in their current placement for
more than two years. These figures only relate to children under 16 years so do not reflect
the stability of young people between 16 and 18 years. These are critical years for
developing independence programmes for young people as they move towards
independence.
The number of placement moves for some children is high. The data, includes children who
have had more than three moves of placement for a number of reasons, including those
missing from placement for more than twenty four hours, or those who have moved to a
Commissioning Strategy for Looked after Children and Care Leavers 2013-15
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respite placement whilst their foster carers take an extended holiday. The national average
for three or more placements is 11%.
5.7.2 Permanence
09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13
Adoptions Orders Granted 3 0 3 5
Special Guardianship Orders (SGO) 0 0 2 3
LAC 6 months plus (i.e.183 days) 66 66 80 84
% LAC ( for 6 months+)adopted or subject to SGO
4.5% 0.0% 6.3% 9.5%
Residence Orders granted 2 2 1 2
Permanency for children can be achieved through adoption or Special Guardianship. Over
the past two years the number of children being placed for permanency has increased
significantly.
5.8 Health
Mar-10 Mar-11 Mar-12 Mar-13
Number who have had Health Assessments on time (regardless of how long looked after)
74 65 88 97
% of Health Assessments on time (excluding newly looked after)
87.1% 83.3% 92.6% 97.0%
Number refusing to have a Health Assessment
2 3 3 3
Number of newly looked after (i.e. less than 28 days before end of March each year)
3 9 5 3
Number with Health Assessments overdue 9 10 4 0
Total number of looked after children 88 87 100 103
The Berkshire East Health Team for looked after children are responsible, in conjunction
with the child’s social worker for ensuring that initial and review health assessments are
completed. A health plan is formulated as a result of the health assessment and details how
the child’s health needs will be met. There has been a significant improvement in this
performance since the Life Chances Team was established in 2011 and the appointment of
the Life Chances Co-ordinator. At 31st March 2013, 97 children had received a health
assessment on time. As at 31st March 2013, 91 children had received dental checks on time.
This is a positive figure and shows that health is a high priority for looked after children.
Commissioning Strategy for Looked after Children and Care Leavers 2013-15
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5.9 Educational Attainment
Outcomes for LAC and Care Leavers (Academic Year 2011–12)
• 78% of looked after children gained at least 1 or more GCSE A* - G grade with 7 out of 10 in the Year 11 cohort securing a qualification which enabled them to access further education. Two moved onto apprenticeships. These results are on par with those from other Berkshire LA’s for the same period.
• There were 5 pupils in the Key Stage 2 cohort of which 3 were not entered for their SATs exams due to being statemented and working below level 3 across assessed areas. The remaining 2 pupils secured level 3 in reading, writing and mathematics.
• Collaborative working between the LACES team with other members of the Life Chances Team, has led to a 50% reduction in the number of education related issues for Looked After Children (source Life Chances Team annual report [2012–2013], this equates to 12 cases in January compared to 6 in December).
• Partnership working with Bracknell and Wokingham College has resulted in the provision
of courses accessible to Looked After Children in the last year of their compulsory
education and beyond. In July 2012 one Care Leaver successfully completed a Degree
in Sports Science. As at December 2012, two Care Leavers are in the second year of
Degree courses and a further two are considering higher education options during their
second year at college.
Predicted outcomes for LAC (Academic Year 2012 – 13)
The 2012/13 cohort consists of 5 looked after children. 100% of the young people are expected to gain at least 1 GCSE A* - G grade. However, this is an estimate and final grades will be confirmed when issued.
The table below shows that there have been no permanent exclusions from school for a
Looked After Child since 2005/06, and a small number who missed 25 days schooling.
There are strategies in place to support schools to avoid the need for permanent exclusion
of looked after children and for monitoring attendance.
Mar
05/06 Mar
06/07 Mar
07/08 Mar
08/09 Mar
09/10 Mar
10/11 Mar
11/12
% with permanent exclusion from school
2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
% who missed at least 25 days schooling
12% 12% 16% 15% 0% 6% 0%
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5.10 Special Educational Needs
25% (26) of all Looked After Children (at 31st March 2013) have a statement of special
educational needs. A small number are placed in residential provision in order to meet their
education needs but the majority attend mainstream or specialist day schools.
5.11 Offending
At the end of March 2013, 5 (5%) looked after children (regardless of how long they had
been looked after) had offended during the year. Of that number, 4 had been looked after
for 12 months or more
5.12 Care Leavers
Mar-10 Mar-11 Mar-12 Mar-13
Eligible 31 27 16 18
- % in suitable accommodation 100%
- % in Education, Training or Employment 78%
- % with Pathway Plan 100%
Relevant 8 4 10 8
- % in suitable accommodation 100%
- % in Education, Training or Employment 50%
- % with Pathway Plan 100%
Former Relevant 33 53 57 61
- % in suitable accommodation 97%
- % in Education, Training or Employment 64%
- % with Pathway Plan 100%
Total number of After Care clients 72 84 83 87
Pathway Plans are introduced in place of Care Plans from the age of 15 ½ years for all
eligible young people. Pathway Plans focus the young person and carers on the skills and
knowledge that will be needed for the young person to move into independence.
‘Eligible’ young people are 16 & 17 year olds who are still Looked After but have met the
criteria for Care Leaver support. Of the 18 young people within this cohort 10 are female
and 8 are male.
‘Relevant’ young people are those between 16 & 17 years old who were looked after for
thirteen weeks, including their 16th birthday. Of the 8 in this cohort six are male and two are
female. They have left care to either return to live with family; to live independently with
friends or in the semi-independent housing schemes of Holly House or Rainforest Walk
‘Former relevant’ young people are those over 18 years who were previously either
‘eligible’ or ‘relevant’ For these young people the measurement of their accommodation and
, EET status is made around their 19th birthdays.
54 Care Leavers are living within the Borough whilst 33 live outside, some of these are at a
distance because they were placed in a residential or foster placement in that area and wish
to remain and some to live nearer their family members.
Commissioning Strategy for Looked after Children and Care Leavers 2013-15
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At the end of March 2013 two Care Leavers were in Higher Education.
Young people who are not in Education Employment or Training are referred to the
Participation Panel and progress is reviewed at the Virtual Care Leaver’s team monthly
meeting.
5.13 Participation
A total of 277 Statutory Reviews were completed by Independent Reviewing Officers
between 01/04/12 – 31/03/13
All young people over the age of 4 years participated in all of their reviews throughout the
year. This is excellent performance and equates to 82 young people taking part in 174
reviews - this includes 71% physically attending and speaking for him/herself; 23% not
attending but conveying feelings via a facilitative medium etc.
A further 48 reviews were for children Under 4 at the time of review and their participation is
not measured.
6 Description of Current Provision for Children
6.1 Supporting Children and Young People on the Edge of Care
As part of the prevention and early intervention strategy for all children, we aim to work with
other agencies that will both prevent family breakdown and improve outcomes for children.
Bracknell Forest local authority partners work together to proactively target support to
children on the edge of care that are very vulnerable. Services include:-
• The Family and Adolescent Support Team (FAST) provide a service to families with teenagers in crisis. This provides a solution focussed approach to families in crisis, targeting young people on the edge of care and uses the Signs of Safety approach to help analyse risk and improve planning so that resources can be targeted most effectively.
• Family Group Conferences (FGCs). Family Group Conferences are being used at an early stage, but there is a clear indication that FGCs are now also being used more than previously in higher threshold cases where there is a serious risk of the child becoming looked after, and where the child and their family are receiving support under the Child Protection Procedures.
• Short break respite care for children with disabilities. Further targeted recruitment of carers and use of shared care arrangements is continuing, with a designated social worker from the Family Placement Team managing the scheme.
• Aiming High Behaviour Support Team provide a service to parent/carers with children or young people with special educational needs and significant challenging behaviours. Through a period of assessment using functional analysis, this service is proactive in working directly with families, carers and other professionals to address and improve behaviours to stop family and/or placement breakdown.
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• A monthly multi-agency Edge of Care panel, chaired by the Head of Service, LAC enables social workers to present the cases of young people who are considered to be on the verge of becoming looked after. The criteria is that the child or young person must be open to Children’s Social Care and the assessment of need identify that there is a probability of the child becoming looked after should the current or proposed intervention not succeed. Resources are committed to assist in diverting children from care or, where care is seen as in the best interest of the child, make a plan to accommodate them. These discussions enable the Family Placement team to identify the best placement to meet need and, where possible, make planned placements and avoid emergency placements
• The Youth Offending Service offer a preventative programme for children identified as at risk of offending behaviour that for some may lead to family breakdown.
• Section 17 CiN support for children who have left the care system to return to the care of their parent or family.
6.2 Multi-agency working
6.2.1 Life Chances Team
The Life Chances Team (LCT) is a virtual team comprised of representatives from all the
agencies and specialist services in the Children’s Workforce who have a responsibility for
looked after children. The team was established in October 2011. The Life Chances Team
meets on a monthly basis and uses a RAG status to monitor the Placement, Health and
Education progress of all Looked After Children; and agree action plans to address concerns
or improve outcomes. The LCT has significantly improved the co-ordination of professionals
working together for the benefit of individual children and in developing a closer working
relationship across the range of Children’s Workforce. The work of the Life Chances Team
has improved the stability of placements for Looked After Children; supported local foster
carers to care for children with more complex needs and provided more integral support for
children within their educational setting.
6.2.2 Care Leavers Virtual Team meeting
The format of the Life Chances Team has been used to develop a similar model for Care
Leavers from the age of 16 to 25 years who are moving into independence, employment and
education. Again this is a monthly meeting involving those agencies involved with this
cohort.
6.3 Children’s Social Care
All looked after children have an allocated social worker from one of three child care teams;
the Disabled Children’s Team which caters for all children from birth to 18 years and two age
based social work teams. The Under 11s Team includes workers based in the Family Centre
and the Over 11s includes the Leaving Care service. Over the past year the After Care
Team and Over 11s have been brought together, enabling young people to transfer to the
leaving care social worker at a point appropriate to them, and for social workers to continue
to work with some young people beyond 18.
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6.4 Placements
Foster care services are managed by the Family Placement Team. This team is based
alongside the social work teams, enabling close working relationships between the child’s
social worker and foster carer’s supervising social worker. The team recruit, assess and
support Bracknell Forest’s approved foster carers. An Assistant Team Manager monitors
the quality of the Independent Foster Agency provision.
The Family Placement Team also provides for the majority of Bracknell Forest’s Adoption
Agency responsibilities. Other functions are met through the arrangement with the other
five Berkshire Unitary Authorities acting as a Consortium and also through the Berkshire
Adoption Advisory Service (BAAS), hosted by the Royal Borough of Windsor and
Maidenhead who also maintain the Adoption Panel
6.5 Residential Provision
Apart from a unit offering residential short breaks for disabled children there is no child care
residential provision in the Borough. There are a limited number of residential homes within
reasonable travel distance, however none offer specialist education, thus limiting the
children who can be placed with them. Generally residential care is spot purchased
The Authority is part of a project with five other Local Authorities which has successfully
commissioned a residential provider to set up a school and six satellite homes for twenty
young people within a reasonable travel distance of the Borough. Other joint local authority
work is planned to develop other framework agreements with residential providers to
encourage increased residential provision in the area.
6.6 Foster Care
The number of foster carers approved and supported by the Family Placement Team has
gradually increased over the past three years. At the end of March 2013 there were 59
approved foster carers, the majority of whom live within the Borough and a handful at a
reasonable distance. There are a number of placements that are able to support children
and young people with additional learning difficulties and disabilities.
There has been a significant increase in the number of children placed with Bracknell Forest
carers as has the placement stability of children. This is due to a number of factors, not least
the improved quality of recruitment, assessment, training and support provided to carers
from the Family Placement Team and members of the Life Chances Team.
In 2011 the South Central framework was agreed between eleven local authorities in the
region to manage Independent Fostering Agencies (IFA). This is managed through a project
manager based in Southampton. There are a number of IFA fostering households in
Bracknell Forest and nearby which are used when there are no suitable in-house carers
available to meet the child’s individual needs.
6.7 Leaving Care
Care Leavers are allocated a Personal Advisor from the age of 15½. The After Care Team
has now been integrated with the Over 11s Team to form the Over 11s and Leaving Care
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Service enabling a flexibility of timing for transferring support for a young person to a
personal advisor; and for sharing expertise and knowledge between team members.
Children, young people and their carers need to work together towards developing
independence skills for when they reach 18. However it is recognised that not all young
people are ready to live on their own at this age so a range of options are considered,
including staying on with their foster carers; supported living hostels and as well as private
rent.
Accommodation Support is provided through the Leaving Care service in conjunction with
the Homeless team to source and support care leavers to maintain tenancies. Care Leavers
may, if they meet the criteria, bid for housing when it becomes available. However as the
availability of social housing reduces there is less opportunity for care leavers to move into
social housing. As a result they are required to use private landlords.
6.8 Education
6.8.1 LACES
The Looked After Children Education Service (LACES) works closely with young people as
part of the Virtual School. The Virtual School provides robust challenge to schools with
regard to meeting the educational needs of Looked After Children (LAC). This focus is
further consolidated through a partnership approach with other agencies in aiming to ensure
that LAC receive the best possible provision to minimise any disruption in their learning,
improve school stability and promote the importance of education. The work of the LACES
team covers a number of different aspects such as:
• Arranging outreach/interim teaching and direct tuition for pupils at times of crisis,
disruption or pending identified school placement. This may take place in the foster
home, school or alternative venues.
• Individualised training to support schools and other agencies in building their capacity
to understand and meet the needs of individual LAC. This includes information about
the impact of developmental trauma and stress, classroom behaviours, supportive
strategies and effective intervention.
• Diagnostic assessments and reviews where there are concerns regarding progress
or underachievement.
• Advice, guidance and specific recommendations regarding appropriate intervention
and to inform planning and provision particularly for Designated Teachers in schools.
• Advice and guidance at LAC reviews and planning meetings.
• Arrange and conduct meetings to discuss Personal Education Plan’s (PEP).
• Support with transition at Key Stages in education.
• Liaison with key agencies such as Connexions. This is more relevant from Year 9 to
identify support for LAC across a number of areas. The designated Connexions
worker offers intensive PA support as required to cover aspects of education,
employment, general engagement, mentoring and social issues.
• Pre-OFSTED advice to schools as required.
• Multi-agency governor training on all issues relating to LAC.
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6.8.2 Connexions / Adviza
Connexions are a service delivered by Adviza in Bracknell Forest, Wokingham, Reading and
West Berkshire. The service is responsible for providing impartial information, advice and
guidance to young people aged 13-19 (and up to 25 for those who previously had a
statement of special educational needs), with an emphasis on careers and employability. In
Bracknell Forest has commissioned an Intensive Personal Advisor to focus on Looked After
Children and Care Leavers with a role to overcome barriers and enter in to employment,
education or training. In addition to this, funding has been allocated from the Local Authority
to ensure vulnerable groups (which include Looked After Children, Children in Need and
those on the edge of care) receive intensive support in schools where required.
6.8.3 Education Transition and Progress
Care Leavers can access education and career support from the Learning and Achievement transition worker whose aim is to support young people who may find it difficult to gain training or employment. Young people can receive practical support, as well as information, advice and guidance on further education, training and employment opportunities. Early identification of those in need using internal departments, external partners and data, ensures that the needs of LAC are addressed at the earliest opportunity.
A multi-disciplinary team convenes regularly and is made up of officers from various Local
Authority departments, local colleges, training providers and Bracknell connexions. Individual
cases are brought to the Participation group meeting and their current needs are discussed,
and a plan is formulated to assist with their transition. The appropriate agency will engage
with the young person, who will receive support and be sign posted onto an appropriate
provider. Learners are supported to engage in an activity with the hope of continued
progression.
6.9 Health
Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust is responsible for providing universal and targeted health services for Looked After Children within Bracknell. In addition to the provision of universal services such as health visiting and school nursing, there is a dedicated health team for looked after children in both the East and West of the county. The Berkshire East Health Team for looked after children currently covers the three Local Authorities in East Berkshire, including Bracknell. The team consists of a part time Designated Doctor, a part time Designated Nurse; three Specialist nurses and 1.5 administration support workers. One specialist nurse takes the lead for Bracknell Forest. The team aim to assist NHS Berkshire and Bracknell Forest Council to improve the health of children who are looked after. The team coordinate the health assessment process through which health needs are identified and plans implemented to meet those needs. Support is also given to Social Workers, Foster Carers and health professionals to meet the needs of young people in their care. The Specialist Nurses also work directly with young people.
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6.9.1 Mental and Emotional Well Being
Bracknell Forest has a Child and Mental Health service which is commissioned by the
Berkshire Health Care Trust.
Children’s Social Care commission CAMHS to provide a tier 2 mental health specialist
worker for Looked After Children and the Youth Offending Service. This worker is a
member of the Life Chances Team and provides advice and guidance for social workers,
foster carers and other professionals as well as some direct work with looked after children.
Positive Activities All looked after children and their foster carers have free access to leisure
facilities within the Borough. Children placed out of the area are supported to access leisure
activities.
6.10 Youth Services
6.10.1 Universal Provision
• Open access or universal youth work provision is delivered in four areas across the Borough. All of these settings include sessions for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme in addition to the drop in or project work undertaken.
6.10.2 Targeted Youth Work
In addition to the work undertaken under the early intervention model of youth work delivery, in the settings identified in 4.9.1, the youth work staff have changed their focus to work more within a targeted and vulnerable young people’s arena in the following specialist areas:-
• NEET’s Work
• Teenage Pregnancy and Sexual Health
• Disability work
• Substance misuse and alcohol abuse
• Youth Engagement
• And Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme
6.10.3 Commissioned Youth Work Services
• The Wayz
• KID’s – Young Carers
• Youth Line In Year 3 of the youth modernisation programme the development of a youth work commissioning approach will be developed. In the final phase of the Modernisation process (13/14) the service will develop more open access sessions and better quality youth provision using a commissioned approach. It starts with the closure and re-commissioning of Whitegrove and North Ascot (Edgbarrow returned to school usage) youth provision. The announcement on the preferred provider/s is imminent. Then to look at processes, policies and practices of the Youth Service and prepare a Youth Service Commissioning paper to identify the best model that will suit Bracknell Forest.
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6.11 Youth Offending
6.11.1 Preventative Work
Following a comprehensive assessment which considers a wide range of criminogenic
factors, an Individual Support Plan is agreed with the young person and his/her parent/carer
which addresses the risk factors to offending in each case. Young people referred to the
Prevention service receive interventions delivered on a one to one basis, which are most
closely related to their risk factors associated with offending and/or anti social behaviour.
We have a range of resources specifically designed for working directly with young people
which enable our case workers to address issues such as, substance misuse, negative peer
group influences, family relationship difficulties, problems in school, bullying, physical and
mental health, domestic abuse and anger management. The YOS parenting worker, works
with the parents and carers of young people, setting out the plan of work needed to assist
the parents/carers to make a positive impact in reducing their child’s risk of offending. At the
end of the YOS intervention, an exit strategy to follow on from the work done is often
necessary and will involve referral to local partner agencies.
6.11.2 Young People on Remand
Young People on remand are allocated a YOS Case Manager who liaises directly with
Children s Social Care and Education to notify them of the young person’s placement .The
YOS Case Manager in conjunction with the Secure Estate sets up and undertakes an initial
remand review within 5 working days of the remand or sooner if the young person or their
behaviour is causing immediate concern to prison /care staff. During the initial period of
remand the YOS work with services, the young person, their parents and carers, their legal
representative and the secure establishment to consider a Remand to Local Authority
Accommodation or Intensive Bail Support package and present it at the next court
appearance if it is felt safe and appropriate to do so. If the young person is re-remanded
following the their next Court appearance the YOS attend a Remand Planning Meeting
within 10 working days of the initial remand to review bail options and put a remand plan in
place which offers a programme of services from the YOS and the secure establishment to
the young person during the period of remand. During a long period of remand the YOS visit
the young person monthly and attend monthly remand planning meetings. A Policy and
Protocol is currently being developed in response to the Legal Aid and Punishment Of
Offenders Act 2012 and anticipated changes to the Care Planning, Placement and Case
Review Regulations 2010 following the current period of consultation (commenced 9th
January 2013)
6.11.3 Liaison between Children’s Social Care and the Youth Offending Service
The Youth Offending Service Operational Manager and Team Manager of the Over11’s
Team meet monthly to review and discuss all Looked After Children who are currently in the
Criminal Justice System. Looked After Children and children and young people deemed to
be on ‘the edge of care’, identified as being at risk of offending are also discussed to
facilitate referrals into the (YOS) Prevention Service.
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6.12 Training and Employment
Children’s Social Care commission a specialist Connexions worker to provide intensive
support for Looked After young people from the age of 13 onwards, either through direct
work or signposting to other connexions workers within the school.
A representative of the Participation Panel attends the monthly Care Leavers Virtual Team
meeting and all NEET Looked After Children and Care Leavers up to the age of 21 are
considered at the Participation Panel.
6.13 Accommodation
The Housing Options Service provides housing advice and assistance for people with housing issues. The housing options available for LAC include:
• My Choice Housing Allocations System where young people eligible for social housing can bid for accommodation.
• Renting in the private sector. A young person aged 18 or older can hold a tenancy and apply for housng benefit to help meet the cost of the rent. From April 2012, single people under the age of 35 years are eligible for housing benefit for a room in a shared house.
• Look Ahead Housing Association provide 55 units of supported housing for young single people under the age of 25 years. Key workers work with residents to help them develop the maturity and life skills to live independently in the community.
• A floating support service is available to provide housing related support to vulnerable people living in the community, including young people who have previously been in care. The floating support service can work with people living in any housing tenure, including privately rented housing.
• A multi agency Young Persons Accommodation Panel receives referrals of young people including LAC who are in need of housing. The Panel assess each person’s housing and support needs and prioritises referrals to supported housing or the floating support service.
• The Resettlement Service (part of the Housing Options Service) specialises in working with single homeless people and provides the full range of housing advice and assistance for single people including those that have been looked after. The Resettlement Officers work with other agencies to help people access services they may need, and provide on-going support by way of support plans with individuals who need help with resettling into a new home.
6.14 Children and Young People’s Participation
Say it Loud Say it Proud (SiLSiP) The Bracknell Forest Children in Care Council has regular
monthly meetings. The Lead member for Children Young People and Learning, the Director,
the Chief Officer and the Head of Service for Looked After Children attend these meetings
twice a year to hear representations from the young people. SiLSiP members also attend the
Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel annually to report on their achievements. SiLSiP have
negotiated a Service Level Agreement with Senior Managers, with a budget of £5,000 to
enable them to organise participation activities for LAC.
In order to engage children and young people from a wider age range two new groups were
established in 2012/13. The first is a Care Leaver’s group, the second, SiLSiP Juniors, is a
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group for 8-11 year olds aimed at developing an interest participation and “graduating” to
SiLSiP as they get older.
These groups are facilitated by the Children’s Participation Development Officer, who also
coordinates other participation activities, consultations and participation audits and the
engagement of young people in Bracknell Forest recruitment process.
Aiming High, part of the Learning Difficulty and Disabilities Team, commission an annual,
independent consultation with children and young people. The results of this consultation,
together with feedback from parents help shape future development of provision.
In 2013 Looked After Children will work alongside an outside facilitator to develop a bespoke
training package for Bracknell Forest, which they will go on to deliver themselves as a rolling
program. This will cover participation training as well as understanding the experience of
receiving services and care from Bracknell Forest. It will include training modules for:-
• Other Young People, introducing them to the value of Participation.
• New Councillors, as part of their Induction
• New Social Care Staff
• Student Social workers
• Foster Carers
• Participation Advocates
All Bracknell Forest’s Looked After Children are able to access an Independent Advocacy
Service and an Independent Visitor Service.
Key senior managers and elected members are supportive and actively involved in
promoting participation opportunities and celebrating young people’s achievements in this
area.
6.15 Corporate parents
A good Corporate Parent should put its own children first, be a powerful advocate for them to receive the best of everything and help them to make a success of their lives. The Bracknell Forest Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel is comprised of five Elected Members and their substitutes and the Executive Member for Children and Young People as a non-voting member. The lead officers for the Panel are the Head of Service for Looked After Children, the Chief Officer for Children’s Social Care, the Virtual School Head, (or Assistant Virtual School Head) supported by the Policy and Research Officer. The Director of Children’s Social Care also attends. The purpose of the Panel is to ensure that the Council is carrying out its responsibilities as a good Corporate Parent to children and young people in its care by providing leadership across the Council to promote the health and well being of Looked After Children and Care Leavers, monitoring standards and checking progress on priorities for improvement in this Looked After Children’s Commissioning Strategy.
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6.16 Outcomes of Inspections by Ofsted
In 2011/2012 three Ofsted inspections took place
• The Safeguarding and Looked After Children inspection in November 2011 rated the overall effectiveness of services for looked after children and young people as good. Outcomes in respect of being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving and making a positive contribution are all good.
• In July 2011 the Fostering Service Inspection found that the service was functioning well with children and young people’s individual needs recognised and plans in place to address them. The overall quality was judged as good with some areas outstanding.
• In the 2012 the Adoption Service was rated satisfactory, it was acknowledged that many areas of the service provision which are good or outstanding and that recent service developments and changes of personnel have led to improvements in the service which have benefitted adopted children and given further support to adopters.
• Larch wood, which is an in-house short break unit which provides day care and residential short breaks for children and young people with leaning disabilities has consistently received an outstanding grade from inspections and provides an excellent and responsive service.
7 Recent Changes in Local and National Landscape which may affect future Commissioning Aims
7.1 Changing Age Profile of LAC
Historically BFC has had lower numbers of younger children becoming looked after, in
comparison to national and statistical neighbours. Nationally there was a significant
increase in the number of children taken into care following the reports into the death of baby
Peter Connelly in 2009. BFC did not follow this trend until 2011/12 when the numbers of
younger children began to increase, usually through care proceedings. This increase has
been due, in the main, to the growth of evidence of the long term impact of physical and
emotional neglect on the development of children. Where a child has been found to be
neglected the parent’s capacity to understand and change their parenting skills are carefully
assessed and where it is believed there is little prospect of improvement the local authority
will intervene.
The implications for commissioning are that these children need to be placed in permanent
homes as quickly as possible. There is a need to carefully match the child’s needs with
available adoptive or other substitute families; requiring professional time and resources to
achieve this safely and quickly.
Nationally the trend appears to be slowing down and it is predicted that BFC will, in time,
follow the trend. Currently a number of families have a number of children whilst in the
future the early intervention initiatives and expertise in parenting assessments is likely to
reduce the potential for several children to be born before intervention.
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7.2 Social and Economic Context
The current difficult economic climate, coupled with the effects of changes in benefits and reductions in some universal public sector services due to budget savings, may have an impact on the numbers of young people entering the care system. There is an established link between poverty, deprivation and neglect for those on the margins of society, and an increase in economic difficulties can take away the buffer of support for families who are currently managing to keep things together.
Pressures on the availability of social housing; reductions in benefit payments and crisis loans and a general down turn of employment opportunities also puts pressure on young people as they approach independence and leave care.
7.3 Raising of Participation Age
The government’s raising of participation age is now in affect. Those care leavers who were
born after 1st September 1996 will be required to stay on in education or training beyond 16.
(This means if they are due to complete year 11 in 2013 they must continue in learning until
July 2014. If they complete year 11 in 2014 or after, they will need to stay on in learning until
their 18th birthday. ). Employment must include training with the opportunity to gain further
qualifications; therefore many employers will not be eligible for RPA and should therefore not
employ any young people in this cohort.
There will be significant changes to benefits following this, and it is unlikely that any young
people in those cohorts will be able to claim either Job Seekers Allowance or Extended Child
Benefit. However, these changes in benefits will not affect 16 - 17 LAC, and therefore the
incentive to stay in education or training may be reduced.
Early intervention and on-going support for care leavers prior to them leaving will be vital in
this new era. Tracking and monitoring will need to be robust to ensure that vulnerable young
people are identified and given adequate support. The challenge will be in creating a
strategy that will ensure that care leavers and other vulnerable young people are supported
in gaining a sustainable placement, which will enable them to achieve economic well being.
7.4 Increased funding for Schools
Pupil Premium
The Pupil Premium is additional funding from central government for schools to support
disadvantaged pupils and close the attainment gap between them and their peers. The Pupil
Premium is rising to £1.875 billion in 2013-14, with schools attracting £900 per
disadvantaged child; this is a 45% increase on the £623 available per pupil during 2012-13.
Looked after children are eligible to receive the Pupil Premium and the responsible Local
Authorities make payments to schools and academies where an eligible looked after child is
on roll.
The role of the virtual school is important within the allocations process of the pupil premium.
For allocations made to mainstream schools, the local authority will discuss, via the Virtual
School Head working in partnership with designated teachers, how the amount for each
looked after child is to be used by the school in accordance with the looked after child’s
Personal Education Plan (PEP).
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For children in non-mainstream settings, the authority will consult with the setting regarding
how the amount held by the authority will be used. The authority’s Virtual School Head (and
embedded Looked After Children Education Service) will be involved in decisions about how
the amount for looked after children is to be spent to support these pupils in accordance with
a child’s PEP.
The increase in pupil premium funding reflects the view of the Government that the Pupil
Premium, which is additional to main school funding, is the best way to address the current
underlying inequalities between eligible children and their peers by ensuring that funding to
tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most.
7.5 Benefits Changes (Housing Benefit and Child Benefit)
In addition to the changes to Housing Benefit, other welfare benefit changes being introduced during 2013/14 which will affect families and young people include:
• Benefit Cap. The combined income from all benefits including housing benefit will be capped a £350 per week for single people and £500 per week for families.
• Housing benefit reduction for under occupation. Working age affordable housing tenants under occupying by one bedroom will have a 14% reduction in the housing benefit and a 25% reduction in housing benefit for two bedroom under occupation. This will apply to foster carers.
• Local council tax benefit. Out of work households will receive an 8.5% reduction in Council Tax Benefit. For households in work, the ‘in work taper’ will be increased which is also likely to increase a household’s council tax liability. There will be no second adult rebate.
• Crisis Loans and Community Care Grants. These will become the responsibility of the Local Authority and administered within the Housing Service. Applications will need to be made by a council officer or approved agency.
7.6 Changes Resulting from LASPO Act 2012 - Remands
The LASPO Act places responsibilities on the Local Authority in respect of young people
between t e ages of 12 -18 who are remanded to Youth Detention Accommodation. All
young people will now automatically become Looked After and require much of the same
support as any other looked after child.
A protocol between YOS and Children’s Social Care has been agreed to set out roles and
responsibilities of workers. The social worker for the Youth Offending Service is allocated
responsibility for the case and supervised by the manager of the Over 11s Team. Young
people who have been remanded for more than 13 weeks will be entitled to receive leaving
care services. To date only one young person has been remanded under the LASPO Act
but the longer term resource implications of this legislation is uncertain.
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7.7 Family Justice Review
The Family Justice Review has led to significant changes in the process and timescales for
care proceedings. The requirement to complete care proceedings within 26 weeks has an
impact on resources needed to provide adequate assessment of parents and of the potential
of family and friends to provide permanent substitute care. The benefit of contact for
children will also be scrutinised to ensure that the child’s best interests are met. The
practice details underpinning the requirement to meet the timescales are being developed on
a piecemeal basis with the aim of implementing sanctions for non-compliance from April
2014.
7.8 Youth Service Restructuring
Recent changes to legislation have further defined the Local Authorities’ duty to secure
equality of access for all young people to the positive, preventative and early help (early
intervention) that they need, to improve their well being, this includes youth work. In line with
national priorities, Bracknell Forest Youth Service has set the following priorities to be
achieved in 2012 - 2014:
• To provide specialist support for the delivery of Bracknell Forest’s Early Intervention Strategy.
• To ensure that vulnerable young people have opportunities to access open/universal provision and specialist support to support them in their journey from adolescence to adulthood.
• To provide a range of programmes that are targeted at young people ‘at risk’ of underachieving, specialist worker for Looked After Children has been approved.
• To strengthen assessment, recording and information sharing.
• To improve the commissioning of services for vulnerable and underachieving young people.
• To strengthen systems and capacity for multi-agency working.
• To ensure that young people have access to high quality services, activities and support for seven days a week and 48 weeks of the year across the Borough.
• To strengthen youth engagement, participation and impact on the delivery of services.
8 8 Strategic Commissioning Aims
8.1 To Support Children and Young People on the Edge of Care Bracknell Forest Council has an early intervention strategy including preventative projects to support families to parent their children. Children and Young people who may have experienced a period of being looked after but have returned to their family are also discussed and resources to support them agreed.
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8.2 To Minimise Delay in Placing Children for Permanency
Children benefit from growing up in a stable, consistent home where their needs are being
met throughout their childhood. Where children are unable to return to the care of a parent
efficient processes need to be in place to ensure that the needs of the child are well
understood and they are prepared to move to a substitute permanent home.
The Recruitment and Publicity plan 2013-2015 sets out the plans for the Family Placement
Team to recruit and assess potential adopters and family members to meet a child’s needs
for permanency.
8.3 To Provide Appropriate Placements When Necessary
In accordance with Statutory Guidance on the implementation of section 22G of the
Children Act 1989, published at the beginning of 2010, Bracknell Forest Children’s Social
Care will take steps that secure, as far as reasonably practicable, sufficient accommodation
for looked after children within their local authority area thus meeting “the sufficiency duty”.
The Recruitment and Publicity strategy 2013-2015 sets out the aims and actions to be taken
to recruit foster carers and adopters for Bracknell Forest looked after children.
A framework agreement with eleven local authorities in the South Central local authorities is
in place to commission foster placements from 40 independent foster carer providers.
Bracknell Forest is part of a consortium with five other local authorities which has
commissioned a residential provider to develop a project of six residential units within travel
distance of a specialist education school based in High Wycombe. Further work is being
done in the cross regional group to work with other residential providers to set up homes for
children with complex social needs in the local area.
However there will always remain a need to spot purchase from other providers in order to
ensure that we meet the needs of children with social and complex needs with the minimum
of placement moves. .
8.4 Placement Stability and Effective Care Planning
Our preventive approach means that the children who become looked after tend to be those
with the most complex needs and challenging behaviour. For these children for whom we
are corporate parents, we aim to act positively to promote their life chances and work
intensively with our partner agencies to achieve that.
The basis for improving their life chances is to ensure a stable placement so that continuity
of relationships, community and education is assured and provides the right conditions for
maximising potential.
The Life Chances Team provides practical and effective support for children and their carers
in order to maintain placements or, where a move is necessary, support a planned move to
an appropriate alternative placement.
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8.5 To Improve Health and Wellbeing
We have processes in place to ensure that all Looked After Children have good quality, up
to date health plans. Health plans are monitored through the Life Chances Team to ensure
that the health needs of children are met promptly and effectively.
The longer term health and well-being of children is recognised as a significant aim for all
children and young people. We aim to teach and encourage children and young people to
understand the benefits of looking after their health and embed this into their way of life
As they approach adulthood we will include effective sexual health counselling and
encourage young people to avoid parenthood until they are able to positively parent.
8.6 To Improve Educational Outcomes
In Bracknell Forest, our ambition as a corporate parent is to ensure that all Looked After
Children have access to appropriate high quality educational opportunities that help them to
achieve the highest educational standards possible. This includes supporting their
aspirations to achieve in further and higher education.
Our Pledge to Children in Care and Leaving Care is to ‘help children and young people
achieve their best and support them to learn in and out of school’.
Our aims are that
• Children and young people’s education is not adversely affected by care planning
decisions,
• Looked After Children will achieve grades commensurate with their peers in the
community.
• All the functions of a ‘Virtual School Head’ will be met
• Every school will have a trained Designated Teacher for looked after children
• No Looked After Children will be excluded from school
• Looked After Children will continue into further and higher education
• One to one tuition will be provided through the Personal Education Plan
• Additional support from a Personal Education Allowance averaging £500 per child
will be available for every looked after child at risk of not reaching their expected
standards.
8.7 To Prepare Children and Young People for Adulthood and Independence
We also aim to ensure that young people leaving care are properly prepared for
independence and receive the support and encouragement they need.
• Looked After Children and Care Leavers will be well equipped emotionally, practically
and financially to move on into adulthood
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• Care leavers will be supported to stay on with their foster carers as supported
lodgings placements when appropriate
• Care Leavers will be supported by a personal advisor up to the age of 25 if they are
in education
8.8 To Listen to Young People about how they want their services delivered.
• We will build on our existing high level of involvement of children and young people in
their statutory reviews and personal education meetings to consult them in a variety
of arenas at every appropriate opportunity, including formal and leisure based
activities.
• We will promote the Children in Care Council (known as Say It Loud, Say It Proud’)
as a formal means of listening to the views of our looked after and care leaver
population
• We will ensure that all our looked after children have a copy of the Pledge and will
promote the message that the Council listens to their views and will review and
amend the details of the Pledge accordingly.
9 Challenges and Service Gaps Identified Locally
9.1 To Provide Appropriate Placements When Necessary
Foster care
• There has been an increased demand for local foster placements, particularly for
children under 7 years old and for sibling groups. It is projected that the upward
trend will continue until alternative measures to early intervention plans have been
implemented and embedded. Recruiting sufficient numbers of in-house foster carers
to keep pace with the increasing numbers of looked after children and with the
capacity to meet the complexity of the needs they are presenting with.
• Whilst the number of foster carers approved by Bracknell Forest has increased, it has
not yet been able to meet all the demand for placements and rarely able to give a
choice of placement. The type of local housing stock tends to limit the number of
children a foster family can accommodate, usually having one or two spare
bedrooms. Placing large sibling groups within Bracknell Forest is therefore a
challenge.
Adoption and Permanence
• The number of children needing to be placed for permanence through adoption has
increased significantly and is predicted to continue to remain at high for the
foreseeable future. Recent national initiatives have set demands on Local Authorities
to place children within increasingly reducing timescales.
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• Nationally there is a shortage of adoptive families available to meet the need of all
children waiting for permanence, particularly for children who are older or have more
complex needs.
• Older children or those with complex needs are particularly hard to place for
adoption. Other options, such as long term fostering or special guardianship orders
for existing foster carers may provide an alternative provided that a package of
support, practical and financial, is made available.
• The Adoption Reform requirements place an expectation on Local Authorities to
increase the number of approved adopters, within shorter timescales. Local
Authority adoption agencies are expected to join together to create more efficient
systems of recruiting adopters and provide a wider choice of family to meet a child’s
needs. Work is taking place towards setting up a pan Berkshire adoption service for
recruitment and family finding.
Remand beds
• Historically there have been a low number of demands for remand foster placements
for children who would are held in police cells or remanded to an YDA. These beds
are often required without notice and the nature of the remand limits most standard
foster homes to be able to meet the need. Currently placements are spot purchased
through independent providers but the low demand means that the supply is limited.
Health and Wellbeing
• The use of mephedrone and misuse of drugs and alcohol in general has an impact on the health and wellbeing of young people; also exposing them to exploitation and risk of sexual harm.
• Tracking the health needs of Care Leavers and engaging them in addressing their health needs is challenging. More information is needed to understand and engage young people.
• A number of looked after children and care leavers are young parents and whilst some become good parents there are a number whose ability to develop parenting skills is limited with the result that the Authority has to intervene and ensure that other arrangements for the care of the child are made. Advising young people about the wisdom of early parenthood is a complex matter but a proactive approach to managing their sexual health and contraceptive needs may assist in reducing the number of pregnancies.
Promoting better outcomes
The membership of the Life Chances Team includes an Education Psychologist who
attends meetings during her non-commissioned time and is unable to extend her
involvement with individual children.
Care Leavers
• Legislation requires local authorities to give young people leaving care the opportunity to chose the Personal Advisor to support them as Care Leavers. Currently young people are allocated a worker from within the Over 11s and Leaving Care Team. Other members of the Children’s Workforce, including foster carers,
Commissioning Strategy for Looked after Children and Care Leavers 2013-15
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may be able to fulfil the role of Personal Advisor with oversight from the Local Authority.
• Looked After Children are required to live independently as soon as they reach 18 and yet are often those least equipped with the practical and social skills necessary to manage independent life without considerable support. Currently the training and preparation to develop the skills for independent living are individualised and ad hoc. A strategy is required to co-ordinate and improve on existing practice.
• There is an ongoing challenge of maintaining care leavers in education, training or employment during a period of economic downturn.
• Limited availability of social housing has led to greater reliance on private renting.
However there is limited affordable private renting available in Bracknell Forest or
landlords prepared to accept Housing Benefit. Furthermore the limited availability of
emergency provision in the area (bed and breakfast)
• The current commissioned provision for housing does not meet the needs of those
care leavers with complex needs, for example mental health, substance misuse and
chaotic lifestyles.
• Similarly some young people who are identified as potentially vulnerable adults may
not readily meet the criteria used to gain access to Adult services. A protocol to
address the needs of these individuals would be helpful.
10 Commissioning Priorities
We have undertaken analysis of a range of information that is available to us, including data,
analysis of what is available, and a consideration of the gaps in services. We have identified
the following commissioning priorities for the next two years. An action plan is attached as
annex 2 to demonstrate how the priorities will be addressed.
Progress made against these priorities will be monitored by the Care Matters Working
Group, with reports being made on a six monthly basis to the Children and Young People’s
Partnership and the Corporate Parenting Group.
Children and young people will remain involved throughout the delivery of this strategy
through the Children in Care Council, and other relevant participation routes.
CP 1 - Meet the needs of children on the edge of care.
CP 2 - Minimise delay in placing children for permanency
CP 3 – Provide appropriate placements where necessary
CP 4 – Improved Placement Stability
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CP 5 – Improve health and wellbeing
CP 6- Improve educational attainment
CP 7 – Prepare for adulthood and independence
CP 8 – Listen to children and young people about how services are delivered.
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11 Annex 1 Graphs and Tables
1. The table below shows the number of children who become looked after in any year and
those who cease to be looked after. The pink line shows the number of children who are
“taken into care”
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013
Number of children Becoming Looked After Number of children Ceasing to be Looked After Number of children 'taken into care'
2. This chart shows the distribution of the BME status of looked after children.
White British
75%
Caribbean
1%
African
2%
White and Black African
2%
White and Asian
3%
Any other Asian
background
2%
White and Black
Caribbean
6%
Any other White
background
8%
Any other ethnic group
1%
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3. This table shows the legal status of children over a four year period.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Mar-10 Mar-11 Mar-12 Mar-13
Interim Care Orders (C1) Full Care Orders (C2) Placement Orders (E1) Section 20 (V2) Other (inc L1 etc)
4. This table shows the number of new LAC placed more than 20 miles from home.
% Bracknell Forest New LAC placed more than 20 miles from home
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
2010 2011 2012 2013
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5. This table shows the number of children looked after for 12 months or more by age group.
Looked After Children (12 months+) by Age Group
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
0 - 4 5 - 10 11 - 14 15+
Age groups
Nos o
f LA
C
Mar-10 Mar-12 Mar-13
6. This table shows the long term stability of placements
Long term stable placements
0
5
10
15
20
25
2010 2011 2012 2013
Total LAC aged under 16 and in care 2.5 years+
Of those, the no. in current placements for 2 years+
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7. This table shows the Adoption Orders, Special Guardianship Orders and Residence
Orders made in the past three years.
Permanence - Adoption, Special Guardianship & Residence Orders
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13
Adoptions Orders Granted Special Guardianship Orders (SGO) Residence Orders granted
8. This table shows the number of health assessments for all looked after children.
Health Assessment for all Looked After Children
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
2010 2011 2012 2013
Number who have had Health Assessments on time (regardless of how long looked after)
Number with Health Assessments overdue
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9. This table shows the dental checks for all looked after children
Dental Checks for all Looked After Children
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2010 2011 2012 2013
Number who have had Dental Check on time Number with Dental Checks overdue
10. Table shows permanent exclusions of looked after children from school
% with permanent exclusion from school
2%
0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%0.0%
1.0%
2.0%
3.0%
Mar 05/06 Mar 06/07 Mar 07/08 Mar 08/09 Mar 09/10 Mar 10/11 Mar 11/12
% with permanent exclusion from school
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11 Table below shows children looked after who have missed 25 days or more of school.
% who missed at least 25 days schooling
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
Mar 05/06 Mar 06/07 Mar 07/08 Mar 08/09 Mar 09/10 Mar 10/11 Mar 11/12
% who missed at least 25 days schooling
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12 Annex 2 Commissioning Strategy for Looked After Children Action Plan
This action plan focuses on the areas for improvement and development rather than what has already been achieved.
This Action Plan will be monitored by the Care Matters Steering Group, Sub Group, of the C&YP Trust.
COMMISSIONING PRIORITY ACTION LEAD OTHERS
INVOLVED DATE FOR
COMPLETION Reference
Develop understanding and
consistent approach across CY&P to
meet the needs of vulnerable children
and young people – following Life
Chances conference
Life Chances Team CY&PL Ongoing Life Chances
Team action
plan
Appoint LAC Youth Worker to work
with children on the Edge of care to
divert them from becoming looked
after
Head of Service
Youth Service
Head of
Service LAC
June 2013 Youth
Service
reform paper
Promote preventative services offered
by Youth Offending Service
Head of Service
YOS
Head of
Service LAC
Ongoing Policy
Youth Justice
Plan
2012/13.
Develop strategy and policy to
support Family and Friends carers
with Special Guardianship Orders
Head of Service LAC Family
Placement
Team Manager
September 2013 Family and
Friends
policy
Meet needs of children on the Edge of Care
Good preventative services will ensure that
children and young people are supported to
remain within their families where this is
appropriate and safe, and children who need
to be looked after become so at the right time.
Where children do not need to be looked after
long term, rapid rehabilitation is achieved. Meet the requirements of the Family
Law reforms – specifically to parallel
plan proceedings and family finding
processes
Heads of Service
LAC
Safeguarding
Specialist Support
CSC Team
Managers
July 2013 ongoing DoE
publications
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COMMISSIONING PRIORITY ACTION LEAD OTHERS
INVOLVED DATE FOR
COMPLETION Reference
Implement the Adoption Reform processes to reduce timescales for approving adopters
Head of Service LAC Family
Placement
Team Manager
July 2013
Commission resources to ensure that
assessment timescales are met
Head of Service LAC Family
Placement
Team Manager
Ongoing
Minimise delay in placing children for permanency
Develop plans for interagency
integrated service for recruitment of
adopters and family finding for
children
Chief Officer CSC
Head of
Service LAC
Family
Placement
Team Manager
April 2014
Adoption
Statement of
Purpose
2013 -14
Implement the Recruitment Plan for Foster Carer & Supported Lodgings
Head of Service LAC Family
Placement
Team Publicity
and
Recruitment
Support Worker
April 2013 ongoing Recruitment
& Publicity
Plan 2013-
2015
Work with other Local Authorities to
commission good quality residential
placements nearer to Bracknell
Head of Service LAC Contract and
Procurement
Officer
Ongoing Sufficiency
Duty
Provide appropriate placements where needed
Meet housing needs of care leavers
through identification of changing
need with view to commissioning
resources to meet the gaps
Heads of Service
LAC and Housing
Virtual Care
Leaver Teams
March 2014 Housing
Strategy
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COMMISSIONING PRIORITY ACTION LEAD OTHERS
INVOLVED DATE FOR
COMPLETION Reference
Develop effectiveness of LCT in
providing timely and appropriate
multi-agency support to LAC and their
carers.
Head of Service LAC Life Chances
Virtual Team
Ongoing Life Chances
Team action
plan
Review all external placements routinely to ensure they are meeting need
Head of Service LAC Contract &
Procurement
Officer
April 2013 and
monthly
Terms of
Reference.
External
Placement
Review Panel
Increase number of placements
available with Bracknell Forest
approved foster carers
Head of Service LAC Recruitment
and Publicity
officer Family
Placement
Team.
March 2014 Family
Placement
Team
Recruitment
and Publicity
strategy
Increase the capacity and skills of
foster carers to maintain placements
Head of Service LAC Family
Placement
Team Manager
Life Chances
Team
Ongoing Family
Placement
Team
business
plan.
Life Chances
Team action
plan
Staying Put policy to be developed
Head of Service LAC Policy &
Research
Officer
September 2013
Improved placement stability.
Improved assessment and care planning,
along with a range of local placements to
meet the needs of children and young people
will enable better matching of the child to the
placement.
Young people with complex needs need
effective high quality placements.
Careful assessment and planning is needed
to ensure changing circumstances and needs
are considered.
(Sufficiency Duty)
Commission expert opinion to Head of Service LAC Contract and April 2013
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Page 40
COMMISSIONING PRIORITY ACTION LEAD OTHERS
INVOLVED DATE FOR
COMPLETION Reference
consider the potential of reunification
for children where circumstances
leading to the child’s accommodation
have changed.
procurement
officer
Recruit Youth Worker for Looked
After Children to engage children in
activities
Head of Youth
Service
Head of
Service LAC
June 2013 Youth
Service
Review
Implement requirements of NICE
guidance on Health of LAC
Team Manager
Health of LAC Team
Head of Service LAC
October 2013
onward
Berkshire
Health of
LAC strategy.
Engage young people in managing
their contraceptive needs – thus
reducing number of LAC and Care
Leavers who become parents before
they are in a position to provide for a
child – through the LARC Nurse
project
Chief Officer CSC Heads of
Service
Safeguarding
and Looked
After Children
March 2014
Monitor the number of LAC who
participate in leisure activities
Head of Service LAC Life Chances
Team
September 2013
and ongoing
LCT Action
plan
Improve health and wellbeing.
appropriate health care provision including
• mental health services
• sexual health
Specialist support to prevent
• offending
• substance misuse
Monitor the number of LAC who
receive a tier 2 service
Head of Service LAC Tier 2 Mental
Health
specialist.
Life Chances
Team
Ongoing
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Page 41
COMMISSIONING PRIORITY ACTION LEAD OTHERS
INVOLVED DATE FOR
COMPLETION Reference
Develop and implement routine audit
system to monitor level of care
provided to children and young
people placed outside the County to
ensure equity of service
Head of Service LAC Performance
team auditor
October 2013
Ensure robust process to ensure
the identification and response to
any LAC at risk of Child Sexual
Exploitation
Head of Service
LAC
Head of
Service
Specialist
Services
September 2013 LSCB
strategy
Increase engagement of Care
Leavers in health services
Head of Service
LAC
Life Chances
and Care
Leavers
virtual teams
March 2014 LCT Action
Plan
Increase engagement of Care
Leavers in DAAT or SMART drug
and alcohol services
Head of Service
LAC
Adult services March 2014
Promote referral to YOS Prevention
Service for young people at risk of
offending
Head of YOS Head of
Service LAC
Ongoing Youth Justice
Plan 2012/13
Develop services for post adoption support, especially within schools.
Virtual School Head
Head of
Service - LAC
Post Adoption
worker
March 2014 Statement of
Purpose
Adoption;
LACES
strategy
Improve educational outcomes
• education support
Improve provision of local further education establishments through achieving the ‘Buttle Trust Mark’
Virtual School Head Connexions
LAC specialist
March 2014
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Page 42
COMMISSIONING PRIORITY ACTION LEAD OTHERS
INVOLVED DATE FOR
COMPLETION Reference
Monitor the impact of the policy for the education of looked after children
Virtual Head
teacher
LACES
LCT
Ongoing Policy for
Education of
LAC
Develop a strategy to achieve a ‘Life
Skills’ programme for all looked after
children from 10 years onwards
including an accreditation scheme.
Head of Service LAC Team Manager
Family
Placement
Team.
Life Chances
Team
LACES
Connexions
March 2014
Develop strategy for transition
planning for young people who do not
readily meet Adult services criteria
Head of Service LAC Heads of
Service CMHT
and CTPLD
June 2013 onwards
Prepare for adulthood and independence
Children may leave the care system to return
to their family, moving on for permanence or,
as they reach adulthood manage a transition
to independence through adulthood.
All looked after children and young people are
supported to develop resilience and life skills
to promote their life chances
Ensure a smooth transition to Adult services
where required
Develop ‘Staying Put’ policy for young
people who may remain in their foster
placement beyond 18 yrs
Head of Service LAC Policy Officer
Family
Placement
Team Manager
September 2013
Listen to the children and young people about how services are delivered.
The voice of children and young people needs
to be included in the development of these
services
Develop the Children in Care Council
- for younger children and care
leavers as well as support the current
mid teen group
Head of Performance Participation
Officer
Head of
Service LAC
Ongoing Participation
Strategy
Action Plan
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