Growth and development.pdf

3. Performance: Children and FamiliesBalance of care – Looked afterchildren (aged 0-17)1999-2000actual1999-2000per 1,000Quartile2000-2001actual2000-2001per 1,000QuartileAt home 288 6.7 1 227 5.2 1With friends/relatives/other community 51 1.2 2 36 0.8 2With foster carers/prospective adopters 174 4.0 1 144 3.3 2In residential accommodation 80 1.9 1 56 1.3 2Total 593 13.7 1 462 10.7 2Key performance indicators1998-1999actual1998-1999per 1,000Quartile1999-2000actual1999-2000per 1,000QuartileChild protection (CP) referrals 169 4.4 4 352 9.1 2(aged 0-15)Children subject to a CP case 136 3.5 2 106 2.8 2conference (aged 0-15)Children placed on CP register 136 3.5 1 100 2.6 1(aged 0-15)Adoption applications in year 24 0.6 1 25 0.6 1(aged 0-17)Stranger adopter applications 11 0.2 1 8 0.2 2(aged 0-17)The number of child protection referrals almost doubled between 1998-1999 and 1999-2000.The rates of child protection referrals and of children subject to a child protection caseconference are relatively high. The rate of children placed on child protection registers is high.Despite a significant drop in the number of looked after children between 1999 and 2001, thereare still relatively high rates of looked after children living at home, living with friends or relativesand foster carers and living in residential care.Family centre provision in Aberdeen has been refocused to:• provide a high standard of childcare, education and support to young children who are in need;• ensure that young children, whatever their social or economic backgrounds orcircumstances have the best possible start in life; and• provide opportunities and support to parents both in their parenting role and as adult learners.In recognition of the increasing number of children adversely affected by parental substancemisuse, family centres are providing more inclusive support, including outreach servicesdesigned to help with parenting skills, literacy or homelessness. Social Work, Education,Housing and Health are working jointly to promote the welfare of very young children whoseparents are misusing drugs, with family support workers linked to the local maternity hospitalassisting families with young children, who have drug dependency, mental health problems,learning difficulties and homelessness.10