Councillor Maxi Martin introduced the report explaining the background to the Corporate Parenting Committee. Paul Angeli added that there has been an increase in regulatory burden on the council which has resulted in the need for the service to raise the bar on what it currently provides. The Corporate Parenting Committee oversees this work.

Councillor Linda Taylor noted the good work undertaken by the council in increasing the number of young people adopted over the past year but expressed her concerns about the increase in the number of 16/17 year olds entering care, asking what sort of help they need. Councillor Linda Taylor also commented on the new handbooks produced for staff and young people but expressed concerns that there was not enough information on getting into employment or on claiming benefits.

Paul Angeli explained that there had been a lot of work undertaken with young people not in employment, education or training. The data in the report appears as though performance is declining in this area, however, this is the result of the way data was gathered on a national level which has shifted. Paul Angeli added that the council are now expected to track 19-21 year old care leavers and demonstrate this activity to central government which means an increased role for the local authority to play in the lives of young people who were in care beyond 19 years of age. A task force has therefore been set up to look at bringing together key agencies to track young people leaving care in this extended age range. The DWP also have new duties to ensure access to education, employment and training as well as what has been done locally. Paul Angeli added that he would ensure that further revisions to the handbook included information on accessing work.

Councillor Marsie Skeet enquired as to why only 62% of visits were completed within timescales and what the corporate parenting board were doing about this. Paul Angeli explained that this was a data quality issue and required further exploration – our case records show a higher level of visiting but the performance reports are not extracting this data. This issue has been raised at the corporate parenting board.. Paul Angeli reassured the Panel that there is a lot of scrutiny in this area to tackle underperformance.

Councillor Charlie Chirico asked if the onus was placed on young people to get in touch with the council about their whereabouts after leaving care and what contact the council made with care leavers. Paul Angeli explained that there are a range of circumstances and often some young people are no longer living in the borough. The council actively track all care leavers however; many young people do not wish to remain in contact with the council. A return of 21% of care leavers tracked has been returned to central government. This may not be reflective of those who are not in suitable accommodation.. However, where young people have opted out of further contact with the council, this is not reflected in the return and does not impact performance. 

Councillor Katy Neep asked why the largest increase in young people entering care was in the 14 years and above age group, and if there are concerns about any earlier preventative initiatives not having the required effect as young people still end up in care. Councillor Katy Neep asked what support was provided to ensure that emotional wellbeing and mental health issues were addressed amongst young people that have been identified as having a substance misuse problem. 

Paul Angeli informed the Panel that the number of 16/17 year olds in care is above the London average which skews performance but that it is right that these children should be assessed as children in care. This is due to the governments instruction that care leavers are not simply placed with Housing Associations without the proper assessment by the local authority and the looked after children team. In Merton, more than for other local authorities, there have been a number of care leavers that would do reasonably well in supported accommodation but this is not the recommended approach. The Looked After Children Team is working with the housing department to deliver our agreed  protocol for managing where 16 or 17 year old care leavers are placed and there is joint commissioning of provision between CSF and the housing departments.

Paul Angeli explained that  a number of cases in the 14/15 year olds were not previously resident in Merton but have been identified as requiring care and present very complex needs. Provision therefore is required to meet this demand, including ensuring services are provided to support the emotional and mental well being of young people. Yvette Stanley explained that the lower age range of those placed in care are often placed with the extended family, with permanent foster carers or adopted. Of the 140 cases noted, one third are asylum seekers who have arrived in the country unaccompanied as teenagers. A rota is in place with other London authorities to share out support for these young people.

Paul Ballatt added that the department instil and encourage a certain set of values in staff that work with young people as the relationship between staff and young people is key to ensuring good outcomes. There is also every effort made to match social workers and children so that this relationship can be sustained long term.

Councillor Jeff Hanna asked if the numbers of young people coming to the borough balanced with those leaving Merton and if not whether there was a reason for this. Paul Angeli explained that there is no increase in the number of families leaving the borough but that there is an increase in the numbers coming in. A number of these are complex cases.

Yvette Stanley added that the council also work with the families to place young people out of the borough where it is of benefit, for example, to distance them from gang activity or crime.

Peter Connellan asked if the council kept in touch with employers of care leavers and noted the emotional strain placed on family support staff and those that support care leavers. Paul Angeli explained that the council do not stay in touch with every employer but that they have established relationships to track young people with educational or training organisations. In addition, Paul Angeli recognised the significant pressure placed on staff and explained that additional support had been provided through Tavistock.

RESOLVED:

Panel noted the report and wished to record their thanks to Paul Angeli and his team.

Panel asked that the Corporate Parenting Board be requested to monitor that six weekly visits were being achieved to raise performance from the current 62% rate.