Growth and development.pdf

3. Performance: Children and FamiliesBalance of care – Looked afterchildren (aged 0-17)At home 148 1.9 4 126 1.6 4With friends/relatives/other community 65 0.8 3 70 0.9 2With foster carers/prospective adopters 164 2.1 3 198 2.5 3In residential accommodation 51 0.7 4 63 0.8 4Total 428 5.5 4 457 5.8 4Key performance indicators1999-2000actual1998-1999actual1999-2000per 1,0001998-1999per 1,000QuartileQuartile2000-2001actual1999-2000actual2000-2001per 1,0001999-2000per 1,000QuartileQuartileChild protection (CP) referrals 481 6.9 3 485 7.0 3(aged 0-15)Children subject to a CP case 135 1.9 3 143 2.1 3conference (aged 0-15)Children placed on CP register 101 1.5 3 97 1.4 3(aged 0-15)Adoption applications in year 51 0.6 1 32 0.4 2(aged 0-17)Stranger adopter applications 16 0.2 2 15 0.2 2(aged 0-17)The rate of children who are looked after is low compared to most other authorities, althoughnumbers have increased. The rate of looked after children living with foster carers is fairly low,but did increase between 1999 and 2001. Though the number of children living in residentialaccommodation increased recently, the rate remains low compared to most other authorities.Rates of child protection referrals, of children subject to a case conference and of children onthe child protection register are all relatively low. The number of adoption applications isrelatively high.After a former Fife Regional Council employee was convicted of sexual abuse the Councilcommissioned an independent inquiry. Its report made recommendations – heavily influencedby the views of the survivors – about the safety and well being of children looked after awayfrom home. The Council has implemented the recommendations in its own residential homes,to improve children’s safety and quality of care.The Council has implemented the main recommendations of Learning with Care to improve theeducation of looked after children. A self-evaluation protocol has been developed and piloted forassessing whether residential units provide an educationally rich environment. Further progressneeds to be achieved in adjusting information systems so that information can be shared; and inissuing a joint circular setting out educational targets and arrangements for monitoring progress.The Council has made its management arrangements for its services for care leavers, and aworking group with representatives from key agencies is to help with implementation. Fife hasmade some investment to allow it to look at the shape of future throughcare services corporatelywhich takes account of new responsibilities and young people are being consulted by WhoCares? about future needs and services.130