Growth and development.pdf

In an Equal Chances project the Council audited the educational experiences and achievementsof looked after children in 2000. In contrast to national research, it found that the attainment oflooked after children in Aberdeenshire was not significantly below that of their peers. Followingthe audit and the publication of Learning with Care, the Council established a joint educationand social work management group, which has an implementation plan and oversees thedisbursement of specific funding.As a rule, children looked after away from home receive full-time education. Joint assessmentsare undertaken with education and increasingly with the health service. The authority is pilotingschemes of education for inclusion in the care plans of looked after children. By August 2002each school is to identify a staff member to co-ordinate the needs of looked after children. Anaudit is to be conducted of educational experiences and additional support requirements.Throughcare and aftercare support for looked after children varies according to where childrenlive in the area. In the Northern Division aftercare is provided by a Barnardos 16+ team, in theSouth and Central divisions generic staff are supported by a specialist team member.4. Performance: Criminal JusticeKey ActivitiesNumber of social enquiry reports submitted to the courts 830 621 38.9 4during the yearNumber of community service orders made during the year 131 143 9.0 4The proportion of social enquiry reports reported to courtwithin target time2000-2001 QuartileProportion of social enquiry reports submitted to the courts 95.8 3by due dateThe time taken to complete community service orders1999-20002000-2001Average length of community service (hours) for orders 151 3completed during the yearAverage hours completed per week 3.4 32000-2001per 10,000QuartileThe rate of social enquiry reports submitted to courts was lower than in many other authoritiesin 2000-2001, having reduced since 1999-2000. The rate reflects the low crime rate.Aberdeenshire were only able to submit 95.8% of orders to courts by the due date.The rate of community service orders made during the year was lower than in many otherauthorities. The average length of community service orders completed in 2000-2001 wasrelatively low and the time taken to complete the orders was similar to that in many otherauthorities.20