Issue - meetings

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Lucie Heyes - Director of Children’s Social Care introduced the report. She highlighted that 76 fewer children were forecast to enter the care system on 2021-22, and a further reduction over next 3 years was projected. Historically, Lewisham had too high a rate of children entering care. The high legacy rate would reduce as children grow up and move out of care. She also explained how Covid had impacted the service, and that staff vaccinations were being rolled out so it was hoped that face to face would be resumed shortly.

A discussion followed and it was noted that:

1.    Most of Lewisham’s looked after children were continuing to attend school throughout the lockdown on the basis that they were vulnerable.

2.    Many care leavers had lost their jobs and NEET figures were negatively affected by Covid.

3.    The council had tried to give all children in care and care leavers access to SMART phone or hardware to enable contact with social workers.

4.    Where face to face contact with natural families was not possible, social workers had tried to enable video or phone contact.

5.    Unregulated settings had recently received bad press but not all are bad places to be. There were currently a number of young people in unregulated semi-independent and supported housing arrangements as part of the process of transitioning to independence. These young people have a support package around them. Officers were happy that the placements are of suitable quality and do not use providers that are known to be unsuitable or of poor quality, based on cross borough intelligence.

6.    The council currently has one young person in an unregistered setting and is in the process of registration. Essentially it is setting up a bespoke children’s home for that one child to meet particular needs. The registration process is long, but officers are satisfied that good care is provided and had a good rationale for using it.

7.    Social workers have a minimum of fortnightly contact with care leavers during the lockdown and every care leaver has an allocated personal advisor. Regular contact is facilitated, but as care leavers are adults, the degree to which they engage is their choice.

8.    1700 digital devices had been received for schools from the Department for Education. The council was seeking to get 2800 more during the current lockdown.

RESOLVED that the report and comments be noted.