Growth and development.pdf

The number of child protection referrals increased by more than 100 between 1998 and 2000and the rate is now the third highest of Scottish authorities. A very small proportion of referralsled to a case conference in 1999-2000, and the rate of children placed on the child protectionregister is fairly low. The rate of adoption applications is high, having increased between 1998and 2000.The rate of looked after children is relatively low. A low rate of looked after children live at homeor with friends or relatives. A fairly low rate live in residential accommodation but a high ratelive with foster carers, after increases between 1999 and 2001.The Council has developed Family Support Centres as central to effective inclusive andpreventative services. The family support facilities have been improved in Hawick and Eyemouth,to provide a range of structured parenting services, including courses on parenthood (for bothearly years and adolescents) and play.With oversight by a multi-disciplinary group, the Council has made progress with five of theLearning with Care recommendations for improving educational provision for looked afterchildren. Further progress has still to be made in:• detailing the educational contribution to care plans and reviews;• designating staff in schools;• developing integrated care and education policies; and• providing joint training and development for teachers, social workers and carers.A lead officer has been identified for care leavers arrangements. The throughcare budget is to bere-modelled to reflect new responsibilities. Young people are being consulted by the children’srights officer and Who Cares? Scotland. It is envisaged that other key agencies will be involvedthrough a proposed Youth Forum, which will be responsible for any necessary staff training.The Borders Young Carers Project was established early in 2000 to provide information, adviceand support to young people who are taking the kinds of responsibilities adult carers undertake.A survey early in 2002 revealed 140 young carers involved in several different geographicallylocated groups. Evaluation has revealed the many positives which the project provides foryoung people and a need for increasing one-to-one support for the carers themselves.A widely representative Borders Children’s Planning Group has identified as key priority areas:• expansion of integrated early years services for vulnerable young children; and• support packages for children with disabilities or special physical, emotional, mental healthor educational needs.220