Children Young People and Families Panel Children Young

Children, Young People and Families Panel Children, Young People and Families Title of the report: 2020/21 Quarter 3 Performance Report Authors: Paul Dryden, Senior Performance Improvement Manager Jon Maggs, Performance Improvement Manager Executive Member: Teresa Heritage Date: 15 th March 2021 www. hertfordshire. gov. uk Item No. x

1. Purpose of report 4. Background and Context To present the Panel with a summary of Quarter 3 2020/21 (October - December) performance. These indicators are summarised according to the following headings which relate to the main work streams for Children’s Services: • Early Help; • Contact, Referral and Assessment (Safeguarding); • Child Protection; and • Children Looked After and Care Leavers. 2. Summary This report summarises Children’s Services performance for the Q 3 period of October to December 2020. It draws upon the conclusions from performance management reporting arrangements within Children’s Services. 3. Recommendation The Children, Young People & Families Panel is asked to scrutinise current performance and comment on any areas for improvement and/or interest. Figures are based on in-year monthly snapshots and may be subject to change as part of the preparation for the annual statutory returns to the Department for Education. Final figures will be reflected in future performance reports. Where possible data is compared against national data with the top quartile being the top 25% nationally. We have developed The Outcomes Bees Framework in collaboration with our partners. This framework aims to ensure that there is a shared vision and objectives for children, young people and their families in Hertfordshire. Where appropriate, performance measures are aligned to the Outcome Bees. www. hertfordshire. gov. uk

Table of contents – suggested areas for discussion Ref. Indicator Previous Quarter Current Quarter Target SN Quartile Direction of Travel Polarity 6. 2 No. of Families First Assessments Started 252 522 100% (782) N/A N/A 6. 4 First Time Entrants to Youth Justice System 26 (Q 1) 42 (Q 2) Reduction N/A q Low is good 6. 5 Percentage of Youth Court Disposals resulting in a custodial sentence 0. 0% (Q 1) 1. 7% (Q 2) Less than 5% N/A tu Low is good 6. 6 16 -17 year olds not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) Under 3% 1. 8% Top tu Low is good 6. 8 Education, Health and Care Plan Assessments Agreed (cumulative financial year) N/A N/A N/A 6. 9 Percentage of statutory Special Educational Needs (SEN) assessments completed in time. 100% 47. 7% Top p High is good Performance rated against previous Quarter p. Improved/static performance q. Declining performance (0/70) (2/118) 2. 3% 2. 5% (426/18, 327) (653/26, 028) 560 YTD Cumulative 863 YTD Cumulative 67. 5% 90. 5% (185/274)) (314/347) tu. Declining performance (within 5% margin of error)

Table of contents – suggested areas for discussion Previous Quarter Current Quarter Target SN Quartile Direction of Travel Polarity 6. 10 Percentage of Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) Annual Reviews completed within timescales **NEW INDICATOR** N/A 24. 3% (187/768) TBC N/A N/A High is good 6. 10 Percentage of EHC Plans Amended following Annual Review issued within 8 weeks of the decision to amend **NEW INDICATOR** N/A 47. 8% (188/393) TBC N/A N/A Ref. Indicator Performance rated against previous Quarter p. Improved/static performance q. Declining performance tu. Declining performance (within 5% margin of error) High is good

Previous Quarter Current Quarter 9. 2% 8. 71% Ref. Indicator 6. 11 Percentage of 16 -18 year olds with an Education Health and Care Plan who were NEET 7. 2 Referrals accepted into Children’s Social Care (rate per 10, 000) – rolling year 7. 3 Re-referrals to Children’s Social Care – rolling year 7. 4 Child & Family Assessments Approved within 45 days 8. 1 Percentage of children subject to an initial Child Protection Conferences within 15 days of S 47 investigation (52/54) (62/63) 8. 2 Children subject to a child protection plan (rate per 10, 000) 16. 4 (443) 15. 1 (409) Performance rated against previous Quarter p. Improved/static performance q. Declining performance (104/1, 140) (107/1, 229) 183. 9 184. 4 (4, 983) (4, 998) 13. 6% 13. 5% (680/4, 983) (675/4, 998) 97. 6% 98. 3% (347/369) (407/414) 96% 98% tu. Declining performance (within 5% margin of error) Target SN Quartile Direction of Travel Polarity N/A N/A p Low is good 260 2018/19 511 Top p Low is good 16% 2018/19 25. 3% Top 91% 2018/19 84% Top p High is good 80% 2018/19 81% Top p High is good 23 2018/19 37. 3 Top p Low is good

Ref. Indicator 8. 3 Percentage of Children subject to a child protection plan for a 2 nd or subsequent time 9. 2. 1 9. 3 9. 5 Number of Children Looked After (rate per 10, 000) (including UASC) % of Children Looked After with 3+ placements % of Children Looked After who leave care through adoption or Special Guardianship Orders 9. 7 Percentage of CLA and care leavers who are not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) aged 16 -18 9. 9 % of Care Leavers aged 17 -21 who are in Education, Employment and Training Performance rated against previous Quarter p. Improved/static performance q. Declining performance Previous Quarter Current Quarter 18. 1 19. 8% (112/618) 36. 1 Target SN Quartile Direction of Travel Polarity 16% 2018/19 22. 7% Second q Low is good N/A 2018/19 54 Top tu Low is good 10. 0% 11% Second tu Low is good 14% Adoption 12% Adoption 9. 6% SGO 21% SGO p High is good Reduction N/A q Low is good N/A tu High is good (119/602) 37. 0 (978 inc 92 UASC) (1, 004 inc 94 UASC) 8. 3% 8. 4% (81/978) (85/1, 006) 6. 1% Adoption (19/314) 8. 7% Adoption (27/310) 9. 2% SGO (29/314) 9. 4% SGO (29/310) 11. 36% 15. 59% (41/361) (63/404) 55. 4% 53. 1% 2017/18 N/A (367/663) (351/661) tu. Declining performance (within 5% margin of error) 54% Adoption Third SGO Second

6. Early Help 6. 1. Early Help services, as part of the Families First programme, play a key role in catching emerging problems early and therefore reducing the demand for, and high cost of, safeguarding and children looked after services. Effective early intervention, for example through Children’s Centres, Safeguarding Adolescent Service Hertfordshire (SASH) and Troubled Families Phase 2, plays a key role in improving outcomes and reducing costs of statutory services. 6. 2. In Q 3, 522 Family First assessments started (per family excluding Specialist Adolescent Service Hertfordshire - SASH) a considerable increase on 252 in the previous quarter. These assessments related to 1, 057 young people, compared to 511 in the previous quarter. It is an increase on Q 3 19/20 (354 assessments, 769 young people). Historic figures may differ from those previously reported as these are revised as new information is received from partners. Q 1 19/20 Q 2 19/20 Q 3 19/20 Q 4 19/20 Families First assessments started (no of YP in brackets) 315 (671) 263 (584) 354 (769) 317 239 (714) (512) Families First assessments completed by SASH (per young person) 103 90 94 106 71 59 101 774 674 863 820 583 570 1, 158 Total Young People Q 1 20/21 Q 2 20/21 Q 3 20/21 252 522 (511) (1057) Figure 1: Families First Assessments started and completed Impact of Covid – The overall number of contacts coming into Families First since April is 4% higher than 2019 and numbers from July are 10. 2% higher. Contacts relating to domestic abuse have more than doubled in July to December period (compared with 2019) Be Safe Contents

6. Early Help 6. 3. Families First Claims The Troubled Families programme has been extended currently to March 2021. As previously reported, the 2015 -2020 target of achieving 4, 670 family outcomes was achieved – 100% compared to the England average of 87. 5%. A new target has been set for 2020 -21, taking into account the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of services. 782 is this financial year’s target. In Q 3, 512 claims, 65. 5% of the annual target (782) were submitted. There are 6 criteria under the Troubled Families Programme; Crime and anti-social behaviour, education, children in need, out of work or at risk of financial exclusion, domestic abuse and health. Families must meet the following 4 principles to be considered as ‘worked with’ under the Troubled Families programme: • there will have been an assessment that takes into account the needs of the whole family • there is an action plan that takes account of all (relevant) family members • there is a lead worker for the family that is recognised by the family and other professionals involved with the family • the objectives in the family action plan are aligned to those in the area’s Troubled Families Outcomes plan. The family will be deemed ‘turned around’ when all the criteria have significantly improved for a sustained period, and at this point a claim can be submitted. Contents

6. Early Help 6. 4. 1 42. 9% of first time entrants were either 14 or 15 years old. 12 to 13 year olds accounted for just 7. 1% of first time entrants, while 16 -17 year olds accounted for 50. 0%. First Time Entrants into Youth Justice System Number 6. 4. There were 42 young people who were first time entrants (FTE) to the youth justice system in Q 2 (26 in Q 1 2020/21), and a decrease on the 51 at the same period last year (Q 2 2019/20). Q 1 was the lowest number ever. This is reported one quarter in arrears. 8 21 Figure 2: First time entrants into the Youth Justice System Figure 3: Percentage of first time entrants into the youth justice system by age Q 33 54 51 42 42 41 26 -19 8 31 Q -19 8 41 Q -20 Q 9 11 -20 9 21 Q -20 9 31 Q -20 Q 9 41 -21 0 12 Q -21 0 22 Q % of First Time Entrants into the Youth Justice System by Age Q 2 2019/20 Percentage 33, 33% 23, 81% 19, 05% 2, 38% 4, 76% 12 13 14 16, 67% Age 15 16 17 Be Safe Contents

6. Early Help 6. 4. 2 A breakdown of main offenses committed by first time entrants into the youth justice system identifies that violence against the person (38. 1%) is the most common offense. This is followed by Drugs (19. 0%) and Motoring Offences (19. 0%). Covid Impact: Court proceedings for first listings in the Youth courts have now caught up following the earlier delays arising from the Covid 19 pandemic. There is still some delay with trials although the youth court is sitting on days other than the normal days. Youth Justice is supporting the court on the additional days by making staff available virtually. The Crown Court in St Albans is sitting and initial hearings for youths are being heard fairly quickly. However trials remain a concern as there are long delays due to a backlog of cases caused by Covid 19 Restrictions. This impacts on the length of remands in custody which in turn increases the cost to HCC who have to pay for the remand in custody accommodation costs. Main Offence Criminal Damage Public Order Robbery Sexual Offences Breach of Statutory Order Theft And Handling Stolen Goods Motoring Offences Drugs Violence Against The Person Grand Total Coun t % 1 3 2 1 1 2 8 8 16 42 2. 38% 7. 10% 4. 8% 2. 38% 4. 8% 19. 0% 38. 1% 100% Figure 1: Breakdown of First Time Entrants Main Offences Contents Be Safe

6. Early Help (Youth Justice) 6. 5. The percentage of Youth Court Disposals that result in a custodial sentence was 1. 7% (2/118) in Q 2 compared to 0. 0% (0/70) in Q 1. This is reported one quarter in arrears. 6. 7. The percentage of young people involved in the Youth Justice system who are recorded as NEET at the end of Q 3 was 33. 7% (31/92). This is an increase on Q 2 (27. 03% 30/111). 12% 10% Percentage 6. 6. The proportion of all young people who were Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) aged 16 -17 has increased slightly to 2. 5% in Q 3 when compared to 2. 3% in Q 2. This remains static on the same period 12 months ago (2. 5%). At the end of Q 3, Hertfordshire's overall NEET rate for 16 -17 year olds was below that of the East of England (3. 3%) and England (3. 2%). Percentage of Youth Court Disposals resulting in a Custodial Sentence 8% 6% 4% 3, 5% 3, 1% 2, 4% 1, 5% 2% 0, 9% 0, 0% 0% -19 8 31 Q -19 Q 8 41 -20 Q 9 11 -20 Q 9 21 -20 9 31 Q Quarter -20 9 41 Q -21 Q 0 12 -21 0 22 Q Figure 4: Percentage of Youth Court Disposals resulting in a custodial sentence Be Ambitious Contents 1, 7% 0, 8% Be Safe

6. Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) 6. 8. The number of cumulative Education Health Care Plans (EHCP) requests received YTD was 1160 at the end Q 3. This is a decrease of 4. 7% when compared with 1217 requests received at the end of Q 3 2019/20, but this is mostly a result of fewer requests between April and June. Since July 2020 there has been a considerable increase in the number of requests for Education Health and Care Plans. At the end of September 2020, 813 new EHCPs had been completed year to date. This is a decrease of 12. 3% on the same period in 2019/20 (917 plans). 6. 9. 314/347 (90. 5%) of assessments were completed on time in Q 3 2020 and further improvement is expected through the Spring Term 2021. We continue to see an increase in requests for statutory assessment and predict that this will continue. We are working on improving inclusive practice and the SEND Review we anticipate will put more emphasis on SEND Support and this may slow down demand for needs assessment. As a local authority we’re being supported by Whole School SEND from the Df. E which should also impact on inclusive practice. 6. 10 187/768 (24. 3%) of EHCP Annual Reviews were completed on time in Q 3. Whilst the majority of annual review meetings continue to take place on time in schools, the subsequent processing and finalising of these annual reviews is a cause of delay in a number of cases. 188/393 (47. 8%) of amended EHCP plans following an Annual Review were finalised within timescales in Q 3. This is a result of pressures across the SEND system in education, health and social care and more recently the particularly challenging context of Covid-19. Capacity issues are being addressed, with a dedicated team of caseworkers focused on Annual Reviews in place from December and the team is making good progress to address these delays. Work is also underway to enable the new digital platform for EHCP to enable schools and families to access and update information directly which will further positively impact on capacity. Contents Requests for Education, Health & Care Plans 1 800 1 678 1 600 1 400 1 200 1 000 1 217 1 195 1 160 1 165 928 927 863 764 800 560 516 600 322 400 200 0 813 Q 3 2019 -20 Q 4 2019 -20 208 221 Q 1 2020 -21 Q 2 2020 -21 Q 3 2020 -21 EHC Plans Requested (Cumulative YTD) Requests Agreed (Cumulative YTD) EHCPs Completed (Cumulative YTD) Figure 4: Number of requests and agreed EHCPs 6. 11. The percentage of 16 -18 year olds with an Education Health and Care Plan who were NEET at Q 3 is 8. 71% (107/1, 229) compared to 9. 2% (74/804 young people) last quarter and 9. 21% (104/1, 140) in Q 3 last year. Be Ambitious

7. Contact, Referral and Assessment (Safeguarding) 700 600 509, 5 502, 4 494, 6 484, 9 471, 1 457, 7 448, 4 435, 5 432, 2 425, 5 419, 7 416, 9 414, 2 500 400 300 207, 4 204, 5 203, 5 199, 8 193, 5 189, 6 188, 1 183, 5 184, 4 183, 9 183, 7 183, 1 184, 4 200 100 Rate per 10, 000 Contacts 20 c. De v 20 No t-2 0 Oc 20 p. Se 20 Au g- 0 l-2 Ju Ju n 20 -2 0 M ay 0 r-2 Ap -2 0 ar 20 20 n- b. Fe M Covid Impact: Following the considerable drop in referrals in April and May 2020, referrals returned to levels similar to 2019 between June and December. Predictions for a substantial number of additional referrals between September and December haven’t materialised. However, we do still expect an increase in referrals during 2021. Ja c- 19 0 De 7. 2. The rolling year rate per 10, 000 contacts in Q 3 2020/21 has decreased to 414. 2 from 509. 5 at the end of Q 3 2019/20. The rolling year rate per 10, 000 referrals accepted into children’s social care in December 2020 has increased to 184. 4 from 183. 9 in September and is 11. 1% lower than at the same time last year (207. 4 per 10, 000). Social Care Contacts & Referrrals - Rate per 10, 000 under 18 population 7. 1. A referral is defined as ‘a request for services to be provided by local authority children’s social care’ via the assessment process outlined in the Working Together guidance. Rate per 10, 000 Referrals Figure 5: Rate per 10, 000 social care contacts and referrals Be Safe Contents

Contact, Referral and Assessment (Safeguarding) 7. 4. The percentage of Child and Family Assessments approved within 45 days was 98. 3% in December 2020, an increase of 0. 7% from 97. 6% in September 2020. The performance for December 2020 is higher than the 94. 8% in December 2019. Performance across the Assessment Teams was 100% in December and overall performance is the best to date. 7. 5. The number of children subject to a Child in Need (Ci. N) plan decreased from 1, 112 in September 2020 to 933 in December. Rate of Referrals per 10, 000 0 -18 population Q 3 2019/20 Q 4 2019/20 Q 1 2020/21 Q 2 2019/20 Q 3 2020/21 207. 4 199. 8 188. 1 183. 9 184. 4 Figure 6: Rate of referrals per 10, 000 under 18 % of C&F Assessments Approved in 45 days 98, 3 96, 7 Percentage 7. 3. The percentage of re-referrals to social care (rolling year) has decreased to 13. 5% from 13. 6% in September (target is 16%). This is still considerably lower than the England average at 22. 6% and Statistical Neighbours at 24. 58% and therefore keeps Hertfordshire in the top quartile. 96, 6 94, 8 96, 7 95, 7 96, 6 96, 2 94, 4 91 19 кде 0 в-2 фе -20 апр 0 н-2 ю и -20 авг Figure 7: Percentage of C&F Assessments completed in time across all Children's Services Contents 98, 3 97, 6 -20 окт 20 кде Be Safe

8. Child Protection (CP) Covid Impact: Despite reductions in new referrals we have seen an increase of 5. 2% in the number of ICPC’s from 466 between April and December 2019 to 490 in the same period in 2020. 91% 92% 7 In Time 82% 87% 6% 6% 2% 96% 94% 98% 13 88% 4% 12 91% 13% 11 94% 18% 10 8% 9 9% 8 13% 6 79% 9% 5 80% 6% 4 21% 3 20% 2 Percentage of children subject to ICPCs and convened within 15 days 1 8. 1. The percentage of children subject to an Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC) who had their ICPC held within 15 working days was 98% (62/63 children) in December compared to 96% (52/54 children) in September. In Q 3 there were no transfer-in ICPC’s out of timescale. There was 1 out of timescale case relating to 1 child. 98% is the best performance ever. Service Managers across the Assessment and Family Safeguarding services are tasked with ensuring performance remains above 90%. Performance for December 2020 is 98% compared with 71% in December 2019. This is top quartile performance. Out of Time Figure 7: Percentage of children with ICPCs convened within 15 days Be Safe Contents

8. Child Protection (CP) 8. 2. The number of children subject to a child protection plan (CPP) has decreased to 409 at the end of December 2020 from 443 at the end of September. This is a 12. 8% decrease compared to December 2019 (469 children). The child protection rate per 10, 000 (0 -18 population) for the end of Q 3 was 15. 1, a decrease from 16. 4 in Q 2. This keeps Hertfordshire in the top quartile nationally (England average 42. 8 and Statistical Neighbours 34. 4), based on published data up to 31 st March 2020. Covid Impact: Visits have been carried both virtually by video call and the majority of visits are now face to face with video calls being used where it is safe and appropriate to do so. Parents have been informed that all school age children subject to a child protection plan or child in need plan should be attending school. Number of Children Subject to a Child Protection Plan 700 600 500 469 458 457 461 433 452 421 400 437 460 443 439 432 409 300 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Figure 8: Number of children subject to a child protection plan Be Safe Contents

8. Child Protection (CP) 8. 3. 1. Df. E annual published data for 2018/19 shows the national average has decreased from 20. 80% in 2018/19 to 21. 9% and statistical neighbours from 22. 72% to 23. 02 8. 4. The percentage of children returning within two years of the previous CPP has increased to 7. 8% (47 children) from 7. 6% (47 children) at the end of Q 2. At December 2019, 5. 9% (41 children) returned to a plan within 2 years. % of children subject to a CPP for a second or subsequent time 18 16, 5 Percentage 8. 3. The percentage of children with a CPP for a second or subsequent time has increased in December 2020 to 19. 8% (18. 1% in September). This equates to 119 children, an increase on September at 112 children. 5, 9 -20 в ян 5, 8 -20 в фе 17, 9 17, 3 16, 8 16, 6 16, 8 16, 2 16, 7 6, 6 6, 5 6, 6 7, 0 6, 9 6, 8 7, 0 р-2 ма 0 0 0 -20 л р-2 н й-2 а п а м ию ию г-2 ав 0 -20 н се 18, 1 7, 6 20 ток 19, 6 20, 3 7, 2 7, 8 0 0 к-2 я-2 е о д н Within 2 years Second or subsequent time (ever) National Avg. (21. 9) SN Avg. (23) Figure 9: Percentage of children subject to a CPP for a second or subsequent time Be Safe Contents

9. Children Looked After (CLA) 9. 1. The number of CLA (including UASC) increased to 1004 from 978 at September 2020. The CLA rate has increased to 37. 0 per 10, 000 from 36. 1 per 10, 000 in September. (This is still top quartile performance nationally as at 31 st March 2020). In addition Hertfordshire is currently supporting 142 over 18 care leavers who were formerly unaccompanied asylum seeking children. 1 200 1 000 Number 9. 2. The number of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) has increased at the end of Q 3 20/21 to 94 from 92 at the end of Q 2 20/21. UASC now account for 9. 4% of the CLA population. Hertfordshire is signed up to the regional rota to place UASC from Kent, some of which are already in placement. To date we have taken an additional 22 young people from Kent. Total UASC as at the end of December 2020 were 94 CLA Inc. UASC at the Quarter End 956 110 951 88 959 84 978 92 1 004 94 846 863 875 886 910 Q 3 Q 4 Q 1 Q 2 Q 3 800 600 400 200 0 End of quarter CLA 9. 2. 1. The CLA rate (including UASC) has increased slightly to 37 per 10, 000 (0 -18 population) from 36. 1 per 10, 000 in September. Nationally Hertfordshire remains within the top quartile. Quarter End of quarter UASC End of quarter Total Figure 10: Number of children and unaccompanied asylum seeking children looked after Be Safe Contents

9. Children Looked After (CLA) 9. 2. 2 A CLA Task Finish Group has been established to address the rising number of Looked After Children. The primary objectives of the Task & Finish group are to ensure that the right children, are in the right type of placement, to meet their needs, at the right time and to further develop good practice approaches for reintegrating children in care back to their family, where this is possible, within the child’s care plan and deemed safe to do so. One of the primary concerns is in regards to the decrease in Looked After Children Exiting Care. Between April and January 2020/21 there has been a 17. 6% reduction in CLA exiting care compared to the same period last year from 300 to 247. Figure 10. 1 CLA Finishers 2020/21 Be Safe Contents

9. Children Looked After (CLA) CLA with 3+ placements against target to be 10% or less 2020/21 120 100 Baseline 19/20 ch ar M br u ar y ry Fe nu a be r m er No ve to b Oc Se pt 2020/21 Actual 44 35 28 be r 21 em ly 12 Ju 6 Ju ne ay 9 24 Au gu st At December 2019, the percentage of children looked after with three or more placements was 11. 1%. This equated to 106 children. 4 2 M Ap ril 1 18 31 62 59 De ce 45 40 0 65 60 60 20 88 84 80 December performance places in the top quartile nationally (between 0 and 9%) However January performance (9. 2%) puts in the second quartile (9% 10%. ) 106 99 Ja 9. 3. The percentage of children looked after with three or more placements was at 8. 4% (85/1006) in December compared with 8. 3% (81/978) in September. 2020/21 Target Figure 11: Children looked after with 3+ Placements Be Happy Contents

9. Children Looked After (CLA) The number of local authorities receiving Hertfordshire looked after children has increased to 73 in December 2020, from 67 in December 2019. Long term stability of CLA 100 90 80 70, 3 68, 3 69, 4 68, 6 70, 5 70, 1 71, 7 70, 8 70, 5 71, 3 71, 0 72, 1 70, 8 70 Percentage 9. 4. The long term stability of children looked after is 72. 1%, increasing from 71. 3% in September just keeping Hertfordshire in the 2 nd quartile nationally. Performance has increased compared with December 2019 (68. 3%). 60 50 40 30 20 10 де к- 20 20 но я- 0 т-2 ок 20 н- 0 се г-2 ав 20 ию л- 20 н- 20 ию ма й- 20 0 ап р- р2 ма 20 фе в- 20 в- ян де к- 19 0 Figure 12: Percentage of CLA in placement for more than two years (long-term stability) Be Happy Contents

9. Children Looked After (CLA) 9. 6. The percentage of CLA adopted within 12 months of the decision has increased to 84. 6% in Q 3 from 73. 7% at the end of Q 2. This is an increase on 79. 5% in Q 3 2019/20. % CLA Exiting Care via Adoption or SGO in last 12 months 18 16 14 Percentage 9. 5. The percentage of children exiting care through adoptions is 8. 7% (6. 1% at Q 2) and Special Guardianship Orders (SGO) is 9. 4% (9. 2% at Q 2). Both SGOs and Adoptions are showing decreases on December 2019. 12 12, 7 10, 9 10 9, 4 8, 7 8 6 4 2 0 Adoption Covid Impact: Court delays had a significant impact on both adoptions and Special Guardianship Orders during the first lockdown period. However, Children’s Services have been actively working with the judiciary to address this and cases are now being progressed. SGO Dec-19 Dec-20 Figure 13: CLA leaving care to adoption and SGO Be Happy Contents

9. Children Looked After (CLA) not in Education, Employment or Training Hertfordshire 55, 3 54, 4 20 к- 20 2018/19 Statistical Neighbour Average (54. 4) де я- 0 но т-2 20 ок н- 0 се г-2 20 ав л- 20 53, 1 ию н- 20 ию ма й- 20 0 ап р- р2 20 ма в- 20 фе в- 19 ян 2018/19 National Average (55. 3) 54, 4 52 к- 9. 9. The percentage of Care Leavers aged 17 -21 who are in Education, Employment or Training (EET) decreased to 53. 1% (351/661) at the end of December (367/663, 54. 4%, young people at the end of September). Our statistical neighbour average is 54. 4% and the national average is 55. 3%. 56, 9 56, 8 Percentage 9. 8. The proportion of CLA and care leavers who are NEET for six months or more was 7. 67% or 31 young people in December 2020 (7. 76% or 28 young people in September). This is a decrease when compared to 8. 78% in December 2019. Care leavers aged 17 -21 in Education, Employment and Training (EET) де 9. 7. The percentage of CLA and care leavers who are not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) aged 16 -18 in December is 15. 59% or 63 young people. (September is 11. 36% or 41 young people). This is a decrease on December 2019 at 20. 11%. Be Ambitious Figure 14: Care leavers aged 17 -21 EET Covid Impact: The NEET % for Children Looked After and Care Leavers is lower than at this time last year. Virtual School staff supported by social workers, personal advisors, designated teachers and foster carers have worked hard to ensure that the reality of the pandemic labour market is factored into plans for transition. This, combined with colleges and training providers having a more flexible approach to learning, has made an apparent positive impact on the NEET data. However, when we return to more normality over the course of the year, the challenge will be working to fully re-engage young people who are used to learning remotely from college. Contents

10. Financial Implications 10. 1. Financial pressures of £ 12. 874 m have been identified within Children’s Services as at Q 3 broken down as per table 1: Total Pressures (ALL YEARS) Service Children’s Services Costs £’ 000 Service Under Spends £’ 000 Risks £’ 000 Unachieved Efficiency Savings £’ 000 4, 950 (1, 817) 5, 142 149 Key financial impacts and costs relate to: • • Loss of Income £’ 000 Total £’ 000 4, 450 12, 874 Table 1 Additional pressure against CLA independent placement budgets; Additional Childrens Services staff to manage increased demand; Loss of income by the Music Service due to the closure of schools, offset in part by some lessons being provided online; The additional costs of Home to School Transport in light of relevant social distancing requirements for special schools. The cost of supporting the local population and future impacts of the pandemic are still very uncertain. As part of the Integrated Plan process, the contingency that the Council holds has been increased based on estimates of potential costs including those in Children’s Services. However, there remains considerable uncertainty over such costs in future years. Contents

10. Financial Implications 10. 3. In addition to demography, there is a further pressure on budgets related to Children Looked After placements, due to more complex cases of children and young people who require residential placements and the increasing costs relating to these placements. 10. 4. Headline net per capita spend suggests that Hertfordshire delivers excellent value for money on Children’s Services spend when compared to England, Statistical Neighbours and the East of England. Figure 15: Children’s Services net spend per capita Contents

10. Financial Implications 10. 5. – The average weekly cost of independent placements for CLA decreased in December to £ 4, 611 from £ 4, 754 in September. Independent fostering costs have shown a slight increase whilst semiindependent living costs have shown a decrease of 6. 6% in December to £ 1, 419 from £ 1, 520 in September 2020. The table is showing an average weekly cost for independent residential homes, independent fostering and semi-independent living. Whilst there are other placement types (secure, residential schools) due to low numbers these have not been included. One of the biggest concerns, as highlighted in figure is the increase in spend on independent residential children's’ homes. There has been an increase of 8. 1% since December 2018. The ongoing CLA invest to transform programme is key to reducing these costs in future months / years. It should be noted that the figures below exclude the cost of independent placements for children with disabilities, as the numbers for those with disabilities in these placements are low. Contents Average weekly cost of independent placements for CLA £ 5 000 £ 4 101 £ 4 264 £ 4 665 £ 4 684 £ 4 627 £ 4 645 £ 4 502 £ 4 754 £ 4 611 £ 4 017 £ 4 000 £ 3 000 £ 2 000 £ 1 127 £ 1 166 £ 1 267 £ 1 527 £ 1 208 £ 1 248 £ 1 386 £ 1 000 £ 970 £ 0 сен-18 £ 1 682 £ 1 520 £ 1 419 £ 922 £ 982 £ 961 £ 959 £ 993 £ 1 049 £ 1 077 £ 1 098 £ 1 109 дек-18 мар-19 июн-19 сен-19 дек-19 мар-20 июн-20 сен-20 Independent residential homes Independent fostering дек-20 Semi independent living Figure 16: Average weekly spend on independent placements for CLA

10. Financial Implications Figure 17: Average weekly costs of CLA placements This does not include UASC, whose costs are offset by Home Office grants. It has also not been reconciled to the actual number of CLA as there will be those placed in other accommodation or at home. Average weekly cost of CLA placements 9 1 11 £ 1 05 £ 1 8 05 8 10 03 £ 01 38 96 £ 8 87 £ 9 6 97 £ 9 1 £ 900 £ 1 01 £ 1 100 £ 1 000 8 £ 1 £ 1 200 09 1 £ 1 13 6 10 £ 1 3 12 9 £ 1 300 £ 8 10. 6. The average weekly cost of CLA placements in Hertfordshire has been taken from the main placement types in use: • Fostering (independent, in-house and friends and family) • Residential (independent and in-house) • All other independent placement types including semiindependent, secure, family assessment etc. £ 800 £ 700 £ 600 Q 1 Q 2 2017/18 2018/19 Q 3 2019/20 Q 4 2020/21 The majority of placements are included, and the data selected is consistently collected. The number of CLA has remained relatively consistent, however due to Covid-19 pressures the number of CLA has been steadily rising. The average expenditure has continued to increase year on year. Q 3 has seen increases compared with the same periods in 2019/20, 2018/19 and 2017/18. Contents

11. Equality Implications • 11. 5. More detailed information about the diversity profile of Hertfordshire is available through our Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and Community Profiles which can be found at www. hertslis. org 0% Children Looked Child Protection After Children Plan in Need Referrals School Census Pop. BAME groups also account for: • 28. 8% of referrals to social care (a decrease from 29. 0% at March 2019); • 28. 8% of Children in Need (slight decrease from March 2019 (28. 9%); • 24. 6% of children subject to child protection plans (1 percentage point higher than March 2019 (23. 6%); and • 28. 6% of Children Looked After (0. 5 percentage points lower than in March 2019 (29. 1%) (all ages 0 -17) Census 2011 (Jan 20) 20% 40% at 31 Mar 2020 69, 4% TOTAL WHITE TOTAL ASIAN OR ASIAN BRITISH 7, 7%8, 5% 11, 7% 72, 7% 71, 4% 100% 3, 5% 5, 9%6, 6% 76, 6% 67, 7% at 31 Mar 2020 80% 82, 8% 2019 -20 at 31 Mar 2020 60% 10, 7% 7, 3% 8, 1% 6, 2%8, 8% 16, 7% 12, 8% 3, 7% 4, 0% 8, 4% 3, 3% TOTAL MIXED TOTAL BLACK OR BLACK BRITISH Figure 19: The ethnic profile of Hertfordshire children and young people March 2019 Contents 4, 4%

11. Equality Implications 11. 1. When considering proposals placed before Members it is important that they are fully aware of, and have themselves rigorously considered the equalities implications of the decision that they are taking. 11. 2. Rigorous consideration will ensure that proper appreciation of any potential impact of that decision on the County Council’s statutory obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty. As a minimum this requires decision makers to read and carefully consider the content of any Equalities Impact Assessment (Eq. IA) produced by officers. 11. 3. The Equality Act 2010 requires the Council when exercising its functions to have due regard to the need to (a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct prohibited under the Act; (b) advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it and (c) foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. The protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 are age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation. 11. 4. Black and Minority Ethnic groups (BME) account for around 17. 2% of the total under 18 population in Hertfordshire (2011 census) and 21. 6% of the school aged population (a 0. 3% percentage point decrease on March 2018 at 21. 9%). This will be updated at the end of August 2020 with 2019/20 data. Contents

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