Issue - meetings

The Panel considered the report of the Scrutiny Manager recommending that the Panel consider and challenge the performance of Children’s Services and Learning in Southampton.

Councillor Winning – Cabinet Member for Children and Learning and Rob Henderson - Executive Director, Children and Learning were in attendance and, with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The Panel discussed a number of points including:

·  Numbers of Children Looked After (CLA) within the City.  It was noted that this number continued to slowly reduce across the City.  The Panel were informed that the systems to identify and resolve potential care issues at an earlier age had continued; and

·  The number of CLA who had moved placement during the year. The Panel recognised the importance of placement stability and sought additional details on the reasons for placement moves and the resolutions achieved.

RESOLVED:

1)  That the Panel are provided with statistics on the number of CLA who have had 1 and 2 placement moves during the year.

2)  That analysis is undertaken, and attached to the 21 March agenda, of the cohort of CLA who have had 3 or more placements during the year. The analysis should include the number of children in the cohort who returned to their birth families.