Ofsted has advised Havering Council to update its Corporate Parenting Strategy following a recent monitoring visit. The recommendation came to light during the Council meeting on Wednesday, where the Corporate Parenting Panel's annual report was also received and initiatives concerning children in care were discussed.
The Ofsted monitoring visit highlighted the need for the council to create and update its Corporate Parenting Strategy. During the visit, it was noted that the service needs to create and update the Council's Corporate Parenting Strategy.
The Head of Service Corporate Parenting advised the Panel that the updated strategy is planned to be published by summer 2025, with participation and co-production with young people being a key priority.
The previous Corporate Parenting Strategy focused on several priorities, including:
- Keeping children safe
- Hearing young people
- Providing caring homes
- Aspiration, education, and opportunity
- Understanding services
- Excellent health outcomes
During the meeting, the Corporate Parenting Panel, chaired by Councillor Jason Frost, reviewed a range of initiatives and data related to children in care. The panel includes Councillors Oscar Ford, Mandy Anderson, Stephanie Nunn, and Frankie Walker.
Key discussion points included feedback from the Cocoon Management Forum, where young people are rewriting the Havering Care Local Offer to make it more accessible. Suggestions included concise summaries, bullet points, relevant contact information, and enhanced visual appeal. The panel noted inconsistencies in entitlement awareness among young people and discussed improvements in communicating entitlements like the setting-up home allowance. Specific steps are being taken to address these inconsistencies.
The panel also received an update from 'Say It Louder,' the Children in Care Council, on summer activities. These included cooking workshops, arts and crafts projects, and cultural trips to locations like the Tate Modern.
Performance data indicated a 19% increase in the number of children in care during 2023/24, from 235 at 30th April 2023 up to 280 at 31st March 2024, followed by stabilisation between April and August 2024. The council scrutinises decisions about a child entering care for proportionality and leverages family support networks where safe to do so. Fifty percent of placements were in-house, and there was a small increase in children placed more than 20 miles outside their home area, now at 17.9%.
The Health Subgroup reported on its activities, including data review, audits, and updates on initiatives like Healthy Smiles and health assessments for asylum-seeking children. The first themed meeting focused on mental health, with outcomes pending.
Regarding fostering, the number of in-house carers stood at 95, with new households being assessed. There have been 4 resignations this financial year (mainly retirements) and 1 more pending. Communication issues were raised as a concern by some departing carers. Initiatives to support children in care include Local Community Fostering, Mockingbird, Fostering Friendly, and Supported Lodgings.
The Panel received a presentation from Young People's CIC group, and was advised of the activities that the group undertook, and the activities that the Young people are looking forward to undertake. The Panel noted the following aspirations of the Young People: Involving more young people in the Youth Group, Restarting the Say It Louder Forum, Recruitment campaign to increase numbers coming to forum.
The Director Children Services (DCS) provided an update on the Ofsted monitoring visit, highlighting positive feedback on investment, management, and social workers. Areas for improvement included supervision, care planning, and recording. The next monitoring visit is anticipated between June and September 2025, focusing on care-experienced young people.
The Corporate Parenting Panel aims to act as responsible parents to all children in care and care leavers, ensuring the Council's pledge and local offer are fulfilled. The Panel will raise awareness of the needs of these children throughout the Council and its partners.