Paul Angeli introduced the report and explained that there had been a rise in the number of Looked After Children (LAC) during the course of the last 6 months. There have been particular pressures surrounding 16/17 year olds entering the care system and the council is facing external scrutiny in relation to adoption and permanency. The service is well managed by the Corporate Parenting Committee and there have not been any increases in other areas of activity in case work or of children needing to be removed.

Councillor James Holmes asked about the challenges the team are facing and if the increase in 16/17 year olds coming into the service was a natural trend or if the council needs to be developing a strategy to tackle this.

Paul Angeli explained that the reasons for this rise were not clear and that young people presenting as homeless have to be seen by the LAC team under current legislation and assessed on this basis. The department are in discussion with housing to address this issue as a proportion of young people coming into the system may not need to be in the care system. 16/17 year olds are treated as children and therefore the Local Authority is expected to accommodate them.

Paul Ballatt added that Merton Action for Single Homeless  does not require young people to be identified as LAC and there are proposals to expand this provision. There is a discussion taking place to establish what can be offered to older young people. The challenge over the next 12 months is diverting young poeple away from children’s social services and finding appropriate alternative provision.

Councillor Agatha Akyigyina asked about 14/15 year old children who were not mentioned in the report and what support system was in place for this group. Paul Angel explained that this had been an oversight on his part in the report and that the factors influencing young people coming into the service are familial breakdown, crime and unaccompanied minors. This group of people needs to be brought back in to a safe environment and the range of provision on offer should also include how to support these individuals.

Paul Angeli explained that there was a multi systemic therapy project in place which included parenting work delivered by the Youth Offending Team. Some higher intensity support is required for certain individuals and this is considered on a case by case basis. The department are looking at options for commissioning these services, including some out of hour’s services that are required.

Councillor Iain Dysart asked what comparable data was available in relation to other boroughs and the percentage of LAC in higher education and why some children had refused an intervention for substance misuse.

Paul Angeli stated that he could make this data available after the meeting and that there was a range of reasons why young people refuse support and that there is a belief they hold that they don’t have a problem. The children’s social care team do not take first refusal only and maintain trying to provide support.

Councillor Peter Walker asked what work was being undertaken in Merton to address mental health issues and well being thinking about the impact on substance misuse. Paul Angeli explained that the potential health problems result from cannabis misuse and further potential misuse. Mental health needs of LAC are monitored and data is submitted to the DfE in line with comparators. There are also psychology services within the LAC service, mental health screening and therapeutic support and CAMHS provide a range of support services.

Councillor Debbie Shears commented that corporate parenting training should be part of the induction process for new and existing councillors.

Councillor Maxi Martin agreed and committed to this provision.

Councillor Agatha Akyigyina asked what the trend had been over the last 4 years with regards to rates of teenage pregnancy and how we were doing in comparison to the rest of the country, furthermore with reference to LAC.

Paul Ballatt explained that the baseline figure was set by the previous government and that the data provided is based on that initial figure. Merton is one of the best authorities in London for reducing teenage pregnancies. Paul Ballatt advised that the data would be circulated after the meeting but that it may not be possible to segment this data according to LAC and other groups.

RESOLVED: Panel noted the report and expressed thanks.