Croydon Council is implementing a targeted improvement plan to address delays in initial health assessments for children in care. The council aims to request 70% of initial health assessments within five working days of a child entering care, and to deliver 80% of them within 20 working days.
The October 2025 performance report, discussed at the Corporate Parenting Board meeting on Wednesday 26 November 2025, highlighted areas needing improvement. The board reviewed the Supplementary Agenda - Item 9, which contained the Performance Report for October 2025.
The report indicated that only 75% of initial health assessments were requested within five working days of a child entering care, and just 23% were delivered within 20 working days. The Supplementary Agenda - Item 9 document also provides data from DfE Published Croydon 2023-24, Stats Nbr Average 2023-24 NEW, London 2023-24 and England 2023-24, which could be used to make comparisons to other local authorities.
The Performance Report also showed that 45% of children in care for at least 12 months had up-to-date dental check-ups. This is also an area of focus for the targeted improvement plan.
Other data from the report included:
- The number of children looked after at the end of October was 547.
- The rate of children looked after per 10,000 under 18 population was 60.
- 72% of eligible children looked after had an up-to-date Pathway Plan.
- 44% of care experienced young people aged 17 and 18 were in employment, education, or training (EET).
- 58% of care experienced young people aged 17 and 18 were in suitable accommodation.
