QUARTERLY MONITORING REPORT
DIRECTORATE:
Social Care, Housing and Health
SERVICE:
Children's Services
PERIOD:
Year End to 31 March 2004
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This monitoring report covers the 4th quarter of 2003/04 to year end. It
describes developments and progress against key and other Milestones
and Indicators
Within this year end report traffic light symbols have been used to
reflect achievement of objectives and performance against targets.
The symbols have therefore been used as follows:
Green
Green
Objective has been achieved.
Performance Indicator Target for 2003/04 has been
achieved or exceeded.
Red / Amber
Objective has been partially achieved or has not been
achieved as a direct result of circumstances or influences
outside of the Council’s control.
Performance Indicator has only marginally failed to
achieve target and performance has shown improvement
on previous year.
Red
Objective has not been achieved
Performance Indicator Target has not been met.
Please note that these symbols will not be applied to LPSA Targets as
the target date has not yet been achieved.
2.0 KEY DEVELOPMENTS
The SSI Inspection of Children's Services took place between 2nd and
13th February with NCSC Inspectors of Residential, Fostering and
Adoption Services also undertaken during February and March.
Reports on the outcomes of these Inspections are awaited.
3.0 EMERGING ISSUES
Implications of the implementation of the Children's Bill 'Every Child
Matters', including :Common Assessment Framework
Director of Children's Services
Lead Council member for children
Development of Children's Trusts
Development of Local Safeguarding Boards
4.0 PROGRESS AGAINST KEY OBJECTIVES / MILESTONES
11
Total
10
1
0
Progress against Key Objectives and Milestones is set out in Appendix
1. Good progress has been made during the year against Key
Milestones with only 1 target not yet met, but work is in progress.
4.1 PROGRESS AGAINST OTHER OBJECTIVES / MILESTONES
0
Total
0
0
0
There are no other Objectives and Milestones to report on for this
service.
5.0 SERVICE REVIEW
The Best Value Review of Children's Services has concluded and work
commenced on the implementation of the Improvement Plan in January
2004.
Service Redesign - A review of Children's Services structure and
redesign undertaken in June 2003 has commenced to ensure that the
most robust structure for effective service delivery is in place. This
review will conclude in May 2004.
6.0 PROGRESS AGAINST KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
12
Total
6
0
6
Two of the key Indicators – BVPI 51/PAF B8 and BVPI 61/PAF E44 are expenditure based and it is not possible to report accurately until
finalisation of the year’s accounts (July 04). Of the remaining indicators,
6 have met or exceeded their targets. A further 6 have fallen short of
their target, however, this still represents a general improvement in
these performance areas in comparison with 2002/03. It is important to
note that the nature of many of these indicators relate to small numbers
of children with well defined activity so leading to a high degree of
volatility.
Each indicator is covered in more detail in Appendix 2 with a
commentary updating the current position.
6.1 PROGRESS AGAINST OTHER PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
19
Total
11
0
8
Two indicators – PAF B9 and PAF B10 - are expenditure based and it is
not possible to report accurately until finalisation of the year’s accounts
(July 04). Of the remainder, 11 have reached or exceeded their targets
whilst 9 have fallen short. Of those falling short, only 1 failed to support
an improvement in performance in comparison with that for 2002/03.
Each indicator is covered in more detail in Appendix 3 with a
commentary updating the current position.
7.0 LPSA TARGETS
There are 2 LPSA Targets within Children’s Services covering adoption and
respite services to children with disabilities, progress of which is reported in
Appendix 4.
There are 6 indicators linked to the 2 LPSA targets, 2 for adoption and 4 for
children with disabilities. Performance for 3 of these 6 indicators is on
course to meet or exceed the LPSA target.
The main area of concern is the number of Looked After Children adopted,
with 7 adoptions completed last year and a target of 10 for 2003/04 and 15
for 2004/05. Performance for 2003/04 resulted in 9 children adopted. Given
the numbers of children in the system it will still be extremely difficult to
meet the LPSA Target of 15 children adopted during the year 2004/05.
Timescales within the adoption system are very good and it is estimated
that 90% of children will have been placed for adoption within a year of their
best interests decision.
Performance relating to 3 of the 4 indicators for children with disabilities is
good and it is expected that their LPSA targets will be met or exceeded
during 2004/05. The methodology for the 4 th indicator - user satisfaction - is
currently being agreed with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. This
will be implemented as soon as possible and there is already evidence of
increasing satisfaction rates.
8.0
APPENDICES
Appendix 1 Progress against Key Objectives/Milestones
Appendix 2 Progress against key Performance Indicators
Appendix 3 Progress against other Performance Indicators
Appendix 4 Progress against LPSA Targets
Appendix 5 Financial Statement
Appendix 1
Progress against Key Objectives/Milestones Identified within Service Plan
Service Plan
Reference
Objective/Project
Key Milestone
1
Produce multi-agency Family Support
Strategy
2
Produce Recruitment and Retention
Strategy
3
Redesign/Modernise Children’s Services
Strategy produced by
April 2003 and begun to
be implemented by Sept
2003
Strategy produced by
April 2003 and fully
implemented by March
2004.
Proposals for service
redesign launched in
February 2003.
Implementation by April
2003. Bedded in structure
by March 2004 leading to
improved performance
and improve staff
retention rates.
Strategy produced by
April 2003 and fully
implemented by March
2004.
Strategy produced by
April 2003 and fully
implemented by March
2004.
4
Produce Placement Strategy
5
Produce Child and Adolescent Mental
Health Services Strategy
Progress
Year End
Commentary
Strategy in place and implementation
in progress.
Strategy produced and implemented.
Vacancies significantly reduced.
Retention improved.
Re-design implemented.
Review in progress.
Strategy in place. Implementation
ongoing.
CAMHS Strategy in place.
Implementation ongoing.
Service Plan
Reference
Objective/Project
Key Milestone
6
Produce Commissioning Strategy
7
Produce Corporate Parenting Strategy
8
Produce Multi-Agency Disability Strategy
9
Produce Young Persons Accommodation
Strategy
10
Joint Social Services/Health team with
pooled budget for children with disabilities
11
Performance Management and Quality
Assurance
Strategy produced by
September 2003 and fully
implemented by March
2004.
Strategy produced by
April 2003 and fully
implemented by March
2004.
Strategy produced by July
2003 and fully
implemented by March
2004.
Strategy produced by
September 2003 and
implementation on course
for by March 2004.
Proposals produced by
September 2003 and
implemented by March
2004.
Systems, processes and
programme developed
and implemented by
September 2003 leading
to improvements in both
practice and performance
by March 2004.
Progress
Year End
Commentary
Commissioning Strategy in place.
Implementation ongoing.
Strategy produced, agreed by
Executive and PPB. Strategy
Implementation agreed for PPB
scrutiny and ongoing.
Strategy produced and agreed.
Implementation commenced.
Strategy produced and agreed.
Implementation ongoing.
Pooled Budget in place. Joint team
being explored with a view to decision
making in Spring 2005.
Quarterly Assurance systems
developed and in place.
Best Value Review completed in
respect of Quality Assurance systems.
Appendix 2
Progress against Key Performance Indicators Identified within Service Plan
BVPI 49 PAF A1 Stability of Placements of Children Looked After
20%
18%
16%
Target
14%
12%
Median
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
0%
Q1
Q2
Q3
2002/03
Indication of Comparison and Trend
Outturn
2003/04
Commentary
There has been an increase during the final quarter to 14.8%. Whilst this is a decline in
performance from the actual for 2002-03 of 13.9% the number of children with 3 or more
placements has remained the same and the increase is due to the fall in the number of LAC.
At the end of the 3rd quarter it was expected to achieve the target of 13% however the
unexpected breakdown of a placement of siblings led to the slight increase.
2
Halton
Quartile
Position
Q4
Worse than
this time last
year
Did not hit
target for
the year
This is a Key Performance Indicator for Children’s Services and performance is still within
the parameters of Band 5.
BVPI 161 PAF A4 Employment, education and training for care leavers
100%
90%
80%
Target
70%
60%
Median
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Q1
Q2
Q3
2002/03
Indication of Comparison and Trend
Outturn
2003/04
Commentary
Performance has improved over the year and position at end of the quarter is 50%.
Although this is below the target for the year it reflect a significant amount of work that has
been done with a particularly challenging group of young people. There were only 8 young
people in the sample group making the indicator extremely volatile with each accounting for
12.5%. The banding for the indicator is based on a comparison of this figure with the rate of
employment, education and training of 19 year olds in the general population.
4
Halton
Quartile
Position
Q4
Worse than
this time last
year
Did not hit
target for
the year
BVPI 162 PAF C20 % childre n on the Re giste r w hose ca se s should ha ve be e n re vie w e d tha t w e re
re vie w e d
Tar ge t
100%
98%
M e dian
96%
94%
92%
90%
88%
86%
84%
82%
80%
Q1
Q2
Q3
2002/03
Indication of Comparison and Trend
4
Halton
Quartile
Position
Worse than
this time last
year
Did not hit
target for
the year
Q4
Outturn
2003/04
Commentary
There was a change in definition for this indicator at the start of the year to capture the
requirement to hold the first review within 3 months, rather than 6. This led to some
conferences that had already been planned outside the 3 month timescale early in the year,
now been classified as not within timescales. Consequently overall performance for the year
has slipped from 100% to 95.7%, although in reality this is only 1 review of 2 children. Every
initial conference during the year has been held within timescales and every review since
May has been held on time. Halton will be placed in Band 3 for this indicator. Through the
use of grant funding we are increasing the staffing capacity within the Reviewing unit which
will ensure improved performance for 2004/5.
PAF A3
% of Children registered during the year on the CPR w ho ha d previously be en registered
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
Tar ge t
15%
10%
5%
0%
Q1
Q2
Q3
2002/03
Indication of Comparison and Trend
Outturn
2003/04
Commentary
A further improvement during the year has seen the level of Re-Registrations continue to
decline to 12.5%. The implementation of the performance action plan for this indicator has
had a major impact and from a position of having the highest re-referral rate in England in 02, we are now 2001in Band 5 and showing a sustained high level of performance.
No
national
data
available
Halton
Quartile
Position
Q4
Better than
this time last
year
Hit target
for the
year
PAF C21 % of children on the CPR continuously for 2 years
10%
9%
8%
7%
6%
Target
5%
4%
3%
2%
1%
0%
Q1
Q2
Q3
2002/03
Indication of Comparison and Trend
No
national
data
available
Halton
Quartile
Position
Worse than
this time last
year
Did not hit
target for
the year
Q4
Outturn
2003/04
Commentary
There has been a significant increase during the quarter and actual performance for the year
is 5.4%, above the target of 4.5%. It had been expected that the number for children on the
register for more than 2 years would increase due to the implementation of the re-registration
action plan. The numbers involved are very low making it a volatile indicator and in real
terms 6 children form the numerator of which 3 were deregistered in March. Despite the
increase we are still well within the parameters to remain in Band 4 which is the highest
banding available for this indicator.
PAF D35 Children Looked After continuously for at least 4 years, who had been in their foster
placement for at least 2 years
70%
65%
Target
60%
55%
50%
45%
40%
Q1
Q2
Q3
2002/03
Indication of Comparison and Trend
Outturn
2003/04
Commentary
Actual performance for the year was 61.1% and, despite a slight decline during the final
quarter, still exceeds the target for the year of 60%. The number of children looked after for
more than 4 years has increased considerably over the last year and the age profile of these
children is rising making it more challenging to maintain a high level of stability. Despite this
the improvement in performance over the year means we will move from Band 3 to Band 4
for the indicator.
No
national
data
available
Halton
Quartile
Position
Q4
Better than
this time last
year
Hit target
for the
year
PAF B7 % of Childre n Looke d Afte r in fa mily pla ce me nts
100%
98%
96%
94%
92%
Tar ge t
90%
88%
86%
84%
82%
80%
Q1
Q2
Q3
2002/03
Q4
Outturn
2003/04
Indication of Comparison and Trend
Commentary
No
national
data
available
Performance has remained stable during the quarter at 86.5% compared to a target for the
year of 90%. However performance is still very good and is within the parameters for PAF
Band 5. The banding for this indicator set by the Department of Health includes a ‘cliff edge’
for Band 5 at 90% so high is not necessarily good.
Halton
Quartile
Position
Same as this
time last year
Did not hit
target for
the year
PAF C22 % of Children Looked After under 10 in family placements
100%
Target
98%
96%
94%
92%
90%
88%
86%
84%
82%
80%
Q1
Q2
Q3
2002/03
Indication of Comparison and Trend
Q4
Outturn
2003/04
Commentary
Performance has been maintained at 100% over the year placing us in Band 5.
No
national
data
available
Halton
Quartile
Position
Same as this
time last year
Hit target
for the
year
QPii % of children on the Child Protection Register allocated to a named Social Worker
100%
Target
98%
96%
94%
92%
90%
88%
86%
84%
82%
80%
Q1
Q2
Q3
2002/03
Indication of Comparison and Trend
Q4
Outturn
2003/04
Commentary
Performance has been maintained at 100% over the year placing us in Band 5.
No
national
data
available
Halton
Quartile
Position
Same as this
time last year
Hit target
for the
year
QP4.1 % of Children Looked After whose cases were reviewed within timescales
100%
Target
98%
96%
94%
92%
90%
88%
86%
84%
82%
80%
Q1
Q2
Q3
2002/03
Indication of Comparison and Trend
Q4
Outturn
2003/04
Commentary
Performance has been maintained at 100% over the year placing us in Band 5.
No
national
data
available
Halton
Quartile
Position
Same as this
time last year
Hit target
for the
year
BVPI 50 PAF A2 Educa tiona l qua lifica tions of Children Looke d Afte r
100%
90%
80%
Tar ge t
70%
60%
50%
M e dian
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Q1
Q2
Q3
2002/03
Indication of Comparison and Trend
Outturn
2003/04
Commentary
This is a highly volatile indicator and the group of young people in the denominator is not
known until the end of the year. The performance of 55.6% for the year is slightly down on
last year’s performance of 57.1% and relates to 5 out of 9 young people leaving care with at
least 1 GCSE, the other 4 did not sit exams. This is still regarded as good performance and
is in Band 4.
1
Halton
Quartile
Position
Q4
Worse than
this time last
year
Did not hit
target for
the year
BVPI 163 PAF C23 Adoptions of Children Looke d Afte r
10%
9%
8%
7%
Tar ge t
6%
5%
4%
3%
2%
1%
0%
Q1
Q2
Q3
2002/03
Indication of Comparison and Trend
4
Halton
Quartile
Position
Better than
this time last
year
Hit target
for the
year
Q4
Outturn
2003/04
Commentary
This indicator has previously been highlighted as an area for concern, however there has
been a significant improvement in performance over the year. Actual performance for the
year has improved from 4.5% to 6% which will move us up from Band 2 to Band 3 and is
based on 9 adoptions being completed during the year. The LPSA target for next year is 15
children adopted so there will need to a major improvement to achieve this. However with
close tracking of permanence plans and the ongoing recruitment of potential adopters it is
possible to meet the target.
Appendix 3
Progress against other Indicators Identified within Service Plan
Ref
None
None
None
None
None
QPi
Indicator
Local:
Monitor the number of Complaints
received by service and at what
stage they were resolved
The number of children placed with
parents on Care Orders
The percentage of children over 10
participating in Child Protection
Conferences and reviews by
attending or providing written
consultations
The percentage of parents and
family attending Child Protection
Conferences and Reviews
Actual
02 / 03
24
Stage 1:
25
Stage 2: 0
18
Estimate
03 / 04
Stage
1:50
Stage 2:3
13
Not
Known
25%
27%
66.8%
80%
72%
The percentage of LAC with
Pathway Plans at 16 years
National:
Percentage of children looked after
with a named social worker
Target
03 / 04
100%
90%
90%
100%
100%
Progress
Year End
Commentary
1 completed but could yet go to Stage
3 (complainant has time to consider)
2 investigations still ongoing
Actual performance showing a large
fall in the number of children on
orders exceeding the target for the
year
Estimate
Significant improvement achieved
although not meeting target and
further work is being done to provide a
more family friendly environment and
encourage parents to attend
This is an estimate, work ongoing and
will be available by end of April
Maintained at 100%
Ref
Indicator
QP4
The number of children
permanently excluded from school
QP5
The proportion of schooling lost
through unauthorised absence
PAF C18
The proportion of looked after
children over 10 years who are
cautioned or convicted divided by
the proportion of all children
cautioned or convicted
Of children looked after for at least
12 months the average of (i) % with
dental checks in previous 12
months; (ii) % with health
assessment in previous 12 months
PAF C19
Actual
02 / 03
38
Target
03 / 04
30
Estimate
03 / 04
25
1.4
1.1
1.3
2.8%
2.6
2.4
89.1%
100%
94.%
PAF C24
The proportion of children looked
after for at least 12 months who
have missed at least 25 days
schooling for any reason during the
previous year
10.5%
8%
9.5%
QP11
The proportion of young people
looked after on 1 April aged 16 in
regular contact with Social Services
until 19th birthday
86.7%
95%
87.5%
Progress
Year End
Commentary
Education indicator relating to all
children not just those in contact with
Social Services
Education indicator relating to all
children not just those in contact with
Social Services. Improvement made
but target not achieved.
Further improvement in performance
over the year exceeding the target
Although not reaching the target of
100% there has been an improvement
and performance is classed as very
good. Work is being carried out with
those young people refusing to
engage in health services.
A further improvement during the year
and work in conjunction with BSST to
ensure all looked after children access
education provision. Although
performance is below target it does
present an improvement on last year.
Very small sample group of just 8
young people and only 1 is not in
contact with the department and has
chosen not to engage with services
Actual
02 / 03
60%
Target
03 / 04
95%
Proportion of referrals that are
repeat referrals within 12 months
25.8%
15%
20%
QP7.2
Proportion of initial assessments
completed within 7 days
74%
75%
78%
QP7.3
Proportion of core assessments
completed within 35 days
53.9%
60%
68%
This is an estimate. Work is in
progress to determine actual figures
QP7.4
Proportion of core assessments
setting out objectives and service
responses within child’s timescales
Percentage of residential child care
workers who have achieved Level 3
in the NVQ ‘Caring for Children and
Young People’
100%
100%
100%
6.7%
100%
31.3%
Maintained performance at 100%,
although this indicator has now been
removed from the DIS
This is an estimate but reflects an
increase in staffing and also a
significant improvement on last years
performance
Ref
Indicator
QP12
The proportion of young people
looked after on 1 April aged 16 who
were known to have suitable
accommodation
QP7.1
QP14
Estimate
03 / 04
87.5%
Progress
Year End
Commentary
Improvement in performance although
target not achieved. Very small
sample group of just 8 young people
and only 1 is not in contact with the
department and has chosen not to
engage with services
This is an estimate which although
below target does present a
demonstrable improvement from last
year
This is an estimate. Work is in
progress to determine actual figures
Ref
Indicator
QP15
Percentage of social workers and
residential managers working with
children who need to obtain the new
Child Care PQ, who have achieved
the PQ1 award in child care
Average gross weekly expenditure
per looked after child in a children’s
home
Average gross weekly expenditure
per looked after child in foster care
PAF B9
PAF B10
Actual
02 / 03
55.5%
Target
03 / 04
60%
Estimate
03 / 04
45.5%
Progress
Year End
Commentary
This is an estimate and reflects
recruitment and retention issues
which are being addressed
£ 2428
£ 2942
NA
NA
Financial information not currently
available
£277
£ 283
NA
NA
Financial information not currently
available
Appendix 4
Progress against LPSA Indicators within Service Plan
Description
LPSA 5
Maximising the contribution
adoption can make to providing
permanent families for children
in care within a year
Target
31.3.05
15 Adopted
Position at the
end of 2002/03
8
Progress at
Year End
9
14 Placed
8
8
LPSA 6
Providing children with
disabilities with more short term
breaks
15 short
break
schemes
13
90 children
receiving 12
short
breaks/yr
80
20 carers
supported
once a
month
17
15
85
17
Commentary
This has been an area of concern however
considerable progress has been made during the year.
9 adoptions were completed during the year rising
from 7 last year and achieving the target for PAF C23.
However given the numbers of children in the system it
will still be extremely challenging to meet the LPSA
target of 15 adoptions in the year 2004/05.
Performance on this indicator is dependent on the
number of children adopted during the year. 8 of the 9
children (88.9%) adopted during the year were placed
within 12 months of their best interests decision.
However the LPSA target can only be met if the target
for number of children adopted in the year is achieved.
A further 2 schemes were developed during the
quarter and the LPSA target has now been met.
There has been a further improvement during the
quarter and it s expected that the LPSA requirement
for 2004-05 will be met.
There has been no change during the quarter but
performance over the year has been promising and it
is expected to meet the LPSA requirement for 200405.
Description
Target
31.3.05
75%
satisfaction
rate
Position at the
end of 2002/03
N/A
Progress at
Year End
N/A
Commentary
Methodology has not yet been developed, however
there is evidence of increasing satisfaction rates.
Appendix 5
Financial Statement to follow