Agenda item

Report of the Head of Democratic Services

Councillor David Mellen, Portfolio Holder for Early Intervention and Early Years introduced a presentation on out of local authority area placements, and was supported by Steve Comb, Head of Children in Care, Alison Michalska, Corporate Director for Children and Adults, Helen Blackman, Director of Children’s Social Care and Anne Partington, Children in Care Placements Manager.

(a)  Usually there are approximately 590 Nottingham City children in care at any one time. In addition to the children placed at care homes, between 440 and 450 young people are placed in foster care which may be within the City or elsewhere;

(b)  The City Council seeks to place 85% of children in care within a 25 mile radius of the City although this is not always possible. There are a number of reasons why children and young people are placed outside of the City and further than 25 miles, including:

·  in order to safeguard a child’s wellbeing;

·  to ensure that siblings can stay together;

·  in order to place a child with wider family members;

·  to receive specialist care which meet the needs of the child and cannot be provided in or close to the City.

(c)  When a child is placed further than 25 miles of the City challenges are heightened with regard to:

·  the child’s contact with their family;

·  differences in process and procedures if services are provided by a different Local Authority;

·  co-ordination of combined support services;

·  additional social worker time travelling and associated costs;

·  co-ordination of the transition to adulthood for young person who may be returning to Nottingham.

(d)  Anne Partington, Head of the Placements Team, commented that as part of their role, her team act as brokers for commissioning services. Some of the fostering agencies within the City which are engaged by the City Council (as there are not always suitable City foster carers available) also provide services to other local authorities for children outside of Nottingham City. The Placement Team are working to encourage such local independent providers to make placing local children locally a priority; 

(e)  There is an ongoing focus on recruiting more local foster carers. With a broader view, the East Midlands Regional Children’s Framework is being developed and includes regional discussions about placements for our children and young people with most complex needs;

(f)  As of 9 May 2016:

·  197 (33%) of the City’s children in care were placed in Nottingham;

·  209(36%) were placed within Nottinghamshire;

·  106 (18%  within the East Midlands;

·  49 (8%) within England;

·  27 (%5) placed confidentially;

·  2 (0%) in Wales.

(g)  When a child or young person is placed out of area, under Regional Protocol, the Placements Team must provide written information to the placement Local Authority of:

•  the child’s name and date of birth;

•  legal status;

•  contact details for Social Care / Independent Reviewing Officer;

•  details of any Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC).

(h)    Steve Comb, Head of Children in Care, informed the Committee that even though a child may not be resident in City, the City Council remains the corporate parent whilst the host local authority in the area which the child is placed, takes responsibility under Section 47 or Local Authority Designated Officer enquiries;

(i)  A weekly Placement Panel is held to consider and determine the most appropriate placements for individual children. The panel can also arrange for additional assessments of placements to ensure that they meet the particular needs of young people. The 2014 OFSTED report ‘at a distance’ highlights the issues of out of area placement risks.

The following information was provided in response to comments and questions from the Committee:

(j)  During the past two years the number of Nottingham’s children in care has remained fairly stable fluctuating between 580 and 600. There are direct and indirect cost implications with regard to out of area placements, but the cost of servicing the placement, including social work visits, time and pressure also have a financial impact which can be very difficult to quantify;

(k)  Every effort is made to ensure that out of area placed children receive an appropriately high standard of care so placements are continuously monitored; however this results in a further financial impact. Nottingham City Council spends approximately £33 million on children in care placements. The lowest cost provision is within the City Council, rising significantly with independent fostering and care home provision; 

(l)  If an in-area placement were to become available, a child placed out of area would not necessarily be moved unless it was specifically in their interests. Children in care need a stable support workforce, including social workers to provide consistency and with whom to develop a relationship;

(m)  Children in out of area placement care are visited at least every six weeks by their nominated social worker and may also receive additional telephone contact. Independent Reviewing Officer will also have contact with the child to discuss any issues or concerns a child may have while ensuring child safety and appropriate progress;

(n)  If a child goes missing, the corporate parent, the responsible authority and police are informed;

(o)  The City Council is exploring the potential to expand its internal care homes estate via the ‘make or buy’ panel which investigates and recommends financially viable routes for providing services. If the proposal is accepted, there is the potential for the City Council to develop an income by offering safe and appropriate children in care placements to other local authorities. Nottingham City Homes continues to provide valuable support and has identified properties suitable for small children’s homes.

RESOLVED to thank those in attendance for the informative report and to note its content.