Agenda item

This report shows the level of progress made by the Brent Children’s Partnership Board in 2008/09 in delivering the strategic priorities identified in the 2006/09 Children and Young People’s Plan.

Anna Janes (Head of Planning, Information and Performance) introduced the report and answered questions on progress made by the Brent Children’s Partnership Board in 2008/09 on delivering the strategic priorities identified in the 2006/09 Children and Young People’s Plan.

Asked about the fact that the target for the number of SEN issued within 26 weeks had not been met, Anna Janes pointed out that this was due in the main to delays by other agencies, particularly NHS Brent. This had been raised with NHS Brent at Brent Children’s Partnership meetings, and Brent’s Director of Children and Families had written to the Director of NHS Brent about it. NHS Brent had acknowledged the problem and was looking to improve. Indeed, by the end of September 2009 there had already been an improvement.

In response to a question on the number of teenage mothers in education, Anna Janes pointed out that, because of the small number, the statistics could be misleading. In general the trend was towards a decrease in the number of teenage mothers, although the full impact of the recession was yet to be felt. Krutika Pau (Assistant Director, Children and Families) informed the Committee of a Teens to Toddlers programme whereby teenagers were introduced to the realities of dealing with young children. The Council was working closely with NHS Brent on jointly commissioned projects and work with targeted young people. Asked whether progress had been made with faith groups on the issue of teenage pregnancies, Krutika Pau reported that it had become easier than in the past for professionals to get into some of the faith schools.

Answering a question about the number of looked-after children in stable placements, Anna Janes informed the Committee that this was a complex criterion. Progress was improving, with the level currently at 67.5%, which was above the national average. If progress continued, it should be possible to reach an aspirational target, linked to the Invest to Save programme. The recruitment of skilled foster carers was important in this, and marketing and publicity were currently being looked at, together with a focus on existing placements to keep them as stable and suitable as possible. Specialist payment rates for foster care had been introduced, but had made little impact so far.

Asked about the number first-time entrants to the youth justice system, Anna Janes pointed to an improving picture. Targets had been set across the whole of London, and Brent’s target was not to exceed 425. The number at the end of September was 234. If this trend continued, the target would not be exceeded, and Brent was performing well compared to statistical neighbours.

During a discussion of the complex area of youth offending, which the Committee saw as a possible area for a task group, the Committee requested that the statistics distinguish between Black Caribbean and Black British young offenders.

In response to a question on the missed target relating to the number of young people with learning difficulties in education, employment and training, Anna Janes reported that performance had improved since the period under review. She reported that information on trends was available, and the Committee agreed that in future it would be helpful in assessing performance to have information from previous years, where comparable information was available.

In response to the Committee’s concern at the low level of immunisation of children in Brent, Anna Janes reported that NHS Brent performed badly in this area compared to other London trusts, and this had been raised at the Children’s Partnership Board.

RESOLVED:

(i)            that the report be noted;

(ii)          that future reports on performance include available comparative data for at least the previous five years;

(iii)         that the Committee invite NHS Brent to attend a meeting of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee to discuss issues of concern to the Committee, such as the level of immunisation among children and the speed of trust’s work on SEN statements.