Minutes:
Alison Burnell presented the LSCB Performance Data.
The main points highlighted through the data included:
· The highest number of referrals had been received by the Early Intervention (EI) Hub in quarter 4, with secondary age children most likely to be referred.
· Of the secondary age children referred to EI Hub, a significant percentage had been diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, ADHD or another disability.
· Tom Wheeler from Children’s Transformation at the Council had asked to present the first thoughts on Children’s Social Care Front Door approach to the LSCB, and it was agreed that this would come to the Board in September 2018.
· Child Protection Plan numbers had decreased, and Looked After Children numbers had increased.
· The number of children at Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC) who were not subsequently made subject to a Child Protection Plan had decreased.
· There had been a drop in the number of Child Protection visits conducted in August 2017, but the reasons for this were understood.
· The number of re-referrals to children’s social care continued to be high, and analysis into this was being undertaken by the Quality Standards group in the Local Authority. This is a group which is jointly chaired by CSC and Education to consider all performance data.
· There had been a slight decrease in the number of mental health referrals, however it was felt that the mental health data presented to the LSCB did not enable a full analysis although it was noted that previous self harm figures had only included presentations to A&E, whereas now all referrals to CAMHS were included. The Board was reminded that the majority of self-harm cases were unreported. The Board requested an update from the Futures in Mind group chaired by Katie Simpson and that the Transformation Plan come to the September Board. (Action: Lucy Cooke)
· Domestic Abuse figures had decreased this year, and this was reflected in the number of children who had been witness to domestic abuse. Thames Valley Police’s Operation Encompass had been set up to alert schools to incidents of domestic abuse involving children that had occurred at home. The Board asked Headteacher representatives to find out how effective this new process was. (Action: Jennie Baker/Keith Grainger). It was agreed that an audit of Domestic Abuse repeats undertaken through the CSP would be presented to the LISG.
· There had been 135 adults who were parents in substance misuse treatment at the end of 2017-18. It was thought that the Family Safeguarding Model may have contributed to increasing this number, due to the holistic approach to the family.
· The stability of placements for Looked After Children had increased and was being monitored throughout the year.
· The Return Home Interviews for Missing Children reflected an improving picture of engagement and it was noted that the numbers reflected a small number of children who went missing often was and trends within this data were scrutinised at the CE sub group.
· The data for sexual offences against Under 18s in Quarter 4 remained high. Monitoring is being undertaken by the CE group and a narrative has been requested from TVP. The LSCB will liaise with Shaun Virtue to secure the required details. (Action: Jonathan Picken)