Agenda item

The report appended is in response to the Panel’s request for an update on health of looked after children.

The Head of Children and Maternity Integrated Commissioning introduced the item highlighting the timeliness of health assessments was a statutory requirement. This had been subject to review with processes and pathways examined leading to improved communications across teams.

Additional resource had also been provided (two nurses) meaning that the completion of annual health assessments was moving towards the required level. However, it was emphasised that the service was not complacent. The role of social care colleagues to provide notification within the first three working days of a child becoming Looked After was emphasised as crucial in achieving an initial health assessment in the first 20 days as required.

Dr Simon Wilkinson described how there was a low threshold for referrals with a no decline policy. It was explained that LAC were at high risk of mental health issues and therefore referrals were prioritised. The identification of need was key and linked with the training and awareness of all professionals involved in caring for Looked After Children.

Through the following discussion, it was identified that:

1.    Anything identified at the initial health assessment for follow-up should be progressed. The assessment should identify who would provide this follow-up. Any referral in the initial health assessment should be sufficient to ensure this happens. Specific issues experienced by a foster carer member of the Panel would be picked-up by officers outside of the meeting;

2.    There had been an improvement in the speed of initial health assessments but foster carers were still experiencing incidents where nurses were not being informed that a child is in care. Communication needed to improve. Assessments were happening on Saturdays and after school which was the preference;

3.    It was established that where there was any difference in opinion between professionals on the approach being taken to addressing a child’s health, a network meeting could be requested for this to be discussed. This could explicitly be requested by a foster carer. It was also highlighted that foster carers could request a drop in meeting with a CAMHS professional if they are unsure what to do. CAHMS practitioners would always see if the foster carer had attended with the child whether or not the social worker was in attendance;

4.    The myth about there being a nine month CAMHS referral time was untrue. This was something the service was trying to dispel;

5.    The ongoing need for clear protocols and steps in order to escalate concerns were once again identified. The Head of Service for Corporate Parenting shared that there had been work done across Children’s Social Care to develop a policy on escalation where there was a disagreement. A version suitable for foster carers would be devised.

6.    Foster carers were concerned about making a complaint. It was agreed that it was unacceptable that making complaint should be noted in the foster carer’s annual review. It was agreed that the Director of Early Help and Children’s Social Care would be in touch with the foster carer network to better understand concerns and provide reassurance.

RESOLVED: the Corporate Parenting Panel resolved to recommend that it receive the escalation policy paper for sign-off. Prior to this, the policy should go to the Foster Carer Association to ensure it meets needs.