Growth and development.pdf

A high rate of children are placed on the child protection register although numbers have fallensince 1999. The rate of stranger adoptions is relatively high.Led by an inter-departmental working group, progress has been made with six of therecommendations of Learning with Care. An audit of children’s and foster homes has beencompleted and joint training for teachers, social workers, and carers is well under way. Adatabase has been established, but further work is required for information to be sharedbetween education and social work. All looked after and accommodated children of school ageare receiving full-time education.A lead officer – assisted by a sub-group comprising representatives of key agencies – has beennominated for new arrangements for care leavers. It is anticipated that an additional memberof staff will be required, who will need appropriate training.4. Performance: Criminal JusticeKey Activities1999-20002000-20012000-2001per 10,000QuartileNumber of social enquiry reports submitted to the courts 307 306 48.4 4during the yearNumber of community service orders made during the year 83 108 17.1 2The proportion of social enquiry reports reported to courtwithin target time2000-2001QuartileProportion of social enquiry reports submitted to the courts 80.1 4by due dateThe time taken to complete community service ordersAverage length of community service (hours) for orders 148 3completed during the yearAverage hours completed per week 3.7 3The rate of social enquiry reports submitted to courts is lower than in many other authoritiesand is a reflection of the low crime rate. The Council is able to submit only 80.1% of socialenquiry reports by the due date. The number of community service orders made has increasedand the rate is now relatively high. The average length of community service orders completedin 2000-2001 was relatively short. The time taken to complete the orders was relatively long –an average of 3.7 hours were completed per week.The Council forms part of a partnership with Edinburgh City, Midlothian, West Lothian and theScottish Borders. Their aim is to achieve:• set shared service standards;• consistency of provision and practice;• consistent application of performance measures, monitoring and evaluation of outcomes,collective planning; and• involvement of independent sector organisations.82