Yvette Stanley, Director of Children, Schools and Families (CSF), highlighted the following:

·         There is a focus on improving placement stability particularly for Merton’s very complex young people;

·         Working to recruit more foster carers (this is in part to mitigate the effects of the Staying Put policy which allows looked after children to stay in foster care for longer and prevents foster carers from taking additional younger children);

·         Merton’s adoption performance is top in the country;

·         There is value in embedding adult mental health and CAHMS services as part of the corporate parent provision;

·         There are still more boys in Merton that are looked after compared to girls which is a common pattern. The ethnicity of looked after children reflects the general population in the borough;

·         Child sexual exploitation remains challenging;

·         The health care needs of looked after children are well met;

·         Details of any offending are reviewed; and

·         Work is happening to engage young people in their care and to celebrate their success.

In response to member questions, it was clarified:

·         The box of worries and house of dreams approach allows younger children to look at their past and their future through drawings; and

·         The educational achievement of all looked after children will be examined in detail at the next Panel meeting which will receive the schools annual report.  Broadly the achievement of younger children is good.  However, this isn’t the case for those in KS4.  This reflects that this cohort is coming into care later and there is a higher prevalence of special educational needs and disabilities making outcomes fluctuate.  There is a tendency amongst this older cohort to opt out of education.  This is being examined more closely including looking at where this is linked to the mental health issues of parents.

Cllr Henry thanked the CSF Department for all the support given to foster carers.  Having previously been a foster carer, she understands the value of what is offered.