Agenda item

A summary of the current position of Children Looked After Health provision for Croydon children and young people, and for children living in the borough of Croydon who may be the responsibility of other councils.

The Corporate Parenting Panel considered the Health of Children Looked After (CLA) report which provided an overview of the current position of Children Looked After Health provision for Croydon children and young people, and for children living in the borough of Croydon who may be the responsibility of other councils.The report further noted the activity over the last year and, outlined issues and barriers of good practice and progress, and sets out a plan for improving CLA health provision.

The Panel received a presentation from the Lead Commissioner, David Garland, who shared a brief description of the changes from a Clinical Commissioning Group to an Integrated Care System.

The Panel received a second presentation from the CLA Designated Health Professional, Dr Julia Simpson, who talked through the process and requirement for CLA Health Assessments for 0-18 year olds; a summary of concerns for resolution; and a summary of the Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health services that CLA and Care Experienced Adults had access to

In response to queries raised by the Panel, the CLA Designated Health Professional, Dr Julia Simpson, clarified the following:

-        In relation to Covid-19 pandemic and the impact on wellbeing in conjunction with education, the Panel heard that not all the information was shared from the education department to fully understand the individual plans being addressed. The education plan was part of the health assessment and could be reassessed.

-        In relation to why there was delays in the process of the first twenty days of the health assessment, the Panel heard that no consent to complete the assessment; Edge of Care working with family; having a missing young person; young person falling unwell to complete assessment; interpreters required; or a late referral meaning a late appointment set, may all factor into the cause for delays in completing a health assessment within the required twenty days. There was always a different narrative which was discussed at the monthly meetings. There was a much higher percentage of young people seen within twenty-four to twenty-five days if not twenty days. 

-        In relation to the role of the health champions, the Panel heard that the health champion would be either the team manager or service manager in Children Services who would attend the operational meetings and address any issues with the service or health assessments. The health champion would help to resolve the issue to relight on the impact of health assessments and ensure the health assessments was completed in the right way.

The Panel received a third presentation from the Senior Clinical Therapist, Kate Campbell, and Trainee Clinical Therapist Baber Siddiqi who shared what the Clinical Service offered for CLA young people.

The Panel heard positive feedback from the Independent Reviewing Officer Service in the value of the systemic training they had received; they also responded well to the change of pace in slowing down and having their own space which worked very well, which was a contract to being in the habit of working at a fast pace with environmental pressure and challenges.

In response to queries raised by the Panel, the Senior Clinical Therapist, Kate Campbell, and Trainee Clinical Therapist Baber Siddiqi, clarified the following:

-        In relation to the question of receiving feedback from young people, the Panel heard that there was a gap in receiving feedback from young people and more was to be done around this.

-        In relation to the question of how the Clinical Service supported young people, the Panel heard that the systemic service worked as part of Children’s Services. Staff were employed by Croydon Council as part of the wider system and not employed by social workers. The support provided to young people were in between CAMHS and the young person such as having brief interventions with the young people. Croydon Children Services provided a Clinical Team that was like a CAMHS offer, within the service this bridged the gap to those referred and waiting on the CAMHS waiting list. Social workers were trained, and therapeutic support was also provided. There was a Tier 2 offer which was fast, adaptive as young people and their families could receive support that would work for them and not what was on offer.

The presentations were well received from the Panel as there was more insight to the departmental bodies that all work with CLA young people striving to deliver and improve efficiency between services.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the contents of the report.