The Committee will receive a report on the outcomes for Children in Care.

The Committee noted that children and young people looked after are not a homogenous group and come with different experiences and needs. They may be looked after for a few days or for many years. However, regardless of these different circumstances Tower Hamlets has the same aspirations for the children and are responsible for as any parent would. Tower Hamlets want children and young people to develop into resilient, successful individuals, able to form healthy relationships and take advantage of every positive opportunity presented.

Children and young people who are in the care of LBTH are among the most vulnerable in the community. They are entitled to the best services that can be provided and achieving this for them requires understanding, commitment and passion from all agencies and individuals who hold a responsibility to provide services for them.

In Tower Hamlets like in other authorities work is being undertaken to address the principles of timeliness for children and risk reduction for children, rather than risk management as a result of learning from national and local reviews, understanding new risk such as gangs, family violence. In order to deliver to these principles Tower Hamlets Council has agreed as a Children’s Services Directorate Team to make early help more targeted, the thresholds adapt to new risks, work better in partnership with families and decision-making more robust earlier in the child’s journey with Tower Hamlets.

In noting the contents of the report and attached appendices the Committee offered comments for input into continuing to improve outcomes for Looked after Children. These may be summarised as follows:

The Committee:

·         Noted that Councillors have a duty to ensure that the voice of the local looked after children is heard and what needs to be done to improve the lives of these children;

·         Noted that a significant number of older looked after children are entering care which does present a number of particular challenges and situations;

·         Noted that the Service is currently working to train and support staff so as to improve the user experience e.g. individual advocacy to help the young people to assert themselves and to supportthem through further and higher education;

·         Indicated that it would be most interested in having an opportunity to consider any recommendations made by the Young People to improve the support that they receive;

·         Stated that they wanted to know what is the Services relationship with schools and that the Service has developed a good relationship with employers and works to ensure the opportunities on offer are viable;

·         Noted the role played by the Virtual School Head and that they wished to receive a report in the work of the Virtual School at a future meeting e.g. The work of the Head and his team to support young people in Further/Higher Education.   

·         Noted the work that the Service has undertaken in building up the self-belief of the young people and to have a focus on their positive qualities;

·         Noted the overall the numbers of Young People are low when compared to other Councils;

·         Noted that the young people wished to see more of the actual decision impacting on their lives delegated to the Corporate Parenting Board;

·         Noted that Scrutiny Members were welcome to take an active role in the Board; and

·         Noted that the Board would consider any growth bids; consider the rights and welfare of the young people and to learn from best practice.