Agenda item

1.    Mr Oakford, Cabinet Member for Specialist Children’s Services introduced this item and explained that there had already been a substantial amount of work on the Select Committee recommendations; work was progressing well with good results.  Mr Segurola, Director, Specialist Children’s Services, set out the highlights of the progress on the recommendations which included:

·         Recommendation 4: The letter had been drafted and would be sent to the Children’s Minister within the next week.   

·         The merging of the Corporate Parenting Panel and Corporate Parenting Group was underway, the last meeting of the Group had been held and a report which included its remit and composition would be discussed at Corporate Parenting Panel. 

·         Recommendation 13:  There were concerns around care leavers and their NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) position, in part due to the large numbers of unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) entering Kent.  This was a key priority for the Corporate Parenting Panel.   

·         Recommendation 15:  There were complex issues around housing and the limited volume of social housing available across the country, with increasing numbers of young people with leaving care entitlements and an increase in UASC there was a gap between supply and demand. 

·         Referring to the Transformation programme there was a 16+ accommodation strategy.  The aim of this strategy was to have a range of options appropriate for young people to ensure they were not left unsupported but that the service provided value for money and that the commissioning was ‘smart’. 

2.    In response to a question from the Chairman Mr Oakford confirmed that in total there were around 1,400 UASC, 950 of these young people were under 18 years of age.  The remainder were over 18 years and these young people presented a challenge in relation to their supported accommodation needs.  By the end of 2016 there was expected to be around 800 UASC over 18 years in Kent requiring supported accommodation. 

3.    Mrs Wiltshire, the Chairman of the Corporate Parenting Select Committee, welcomed the positive news around children in care and the supported housing arrangements for those children leaving care.  There were concerns around other Local Authorities placing vulnerable children within Kent, but the partnership working was welcomed.

4.    Mr Oakford confirmed that the Council was lobbying Government on these issues, a dedicated officer had been appointed within the staff team of the Kent Safeguarding Children Board (KSCB) to coordinate and advise on placements made in Kent by other Local Authorities.

5.    Mr Segurola explained that the voluntary dispersal scheme, in respect of UASC, had resulted in 77 young people being appropriately placed outside of Kent County, further offers had been received for another 26 young people, however this represented just 10% of the young people who had arrived in Kent over the past year.

6.    Members reflected on the in depth work of the Select Committee and thanked Mrs Wiltshire and the Officers involved in the review for such a thorough report.

7.    In relation to young people leaving care a Member asked for details of the cost of 18+ young people being placed in their own supported accommodation compared to the cost of the 18+ young person remaining in the care of their foster carer until they were 21 years old. 

8.    Mr Segurola explained that this was a very important but complex area, it was accepted that the recompense decreased at 18years and this was often problematic.  As part of the 16+ accommodation strategy a balance was being sought to ensure that, where appropriate, young people were able to stay in their foster homes.  With regard to 18+ young people living in their own homes there was the practicality of finding suitable accommodation, but there was a setting up grant available for young people.  It was vital to ensure that each case was tailored to the individual and was suitable for their needs. 

9.    Mr Segurola agreed to supply detailed costs of the difference between young people moving to their own supported housing compared to remaining in foster care.   

10.  In relation to the limited availability of social housing, one member suggested it was necessary to do something radical to ensure the security of the future of the young people leaving care.  Mr Segurola explained that commissioned services were being explored, particularly for young people aged 18-21years.  Services ranged from supported lodgings to accommodation with ‘live in’ support or ‘outreach’ support allowing young people to move towards independence.  The Council was also exploring the use of private rented housing which was not ideal but necessary.  Mr Oakford explained that it would not be possible to find appropriate accommodation for all care leavers unless the Government brought in a national dispersal strategy for UASC.  

11. In relation to the use of University accommodation Mr Segurola explained that discussions had been held with universities.  They could only provide accommodation over the summer and contacts were being used in the Canterbury area allowing the use of private properties as well. 

12. In response to a question about the Government’s role in assisting Kent.  Mr Oakford confirmed that the Local Government Association (LGA) had an Asylum, Migration and Refugee Task Group which Mr Oakford attended representing KCC.  

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Committee thank Mr Oakford and Mr Segurola for attending the meeting and answering Members’ questions and for the progress on the Select Committee recommendations to date.  Members also thanked Mrs Wiltshire for chairing the Select Committee.