Promise 29

The number of looked after children needing care will be reduced by 10% over five years and the number of looked after children placed out of the borough reduced by 15% per year. This will allow us to invest in services for families, preventing the need for children to come into the care of the council.

Progress

Having reduced the number of children in care to 221 (target 220) in March 2008 from over 263, it has now risen to 259. The main reason for this is the reaction to the Baby P circumstances that has created additional concerns for workers and has significantly increased numbers in care nationally. The target for out-of-borough placements for 2009-10 is 32, with a position at the end of July 2009 of 58. Our use of Independent Fostering Agency placements is however now showing a decline as our in-house service has been able to absorb a lot of the recent pressure. An analysis has been completed of every case of a child coming into care since December.

We are strengthening the Intensive Adolescent Support Service and implementing the new Intensive Intervention Project in order to reduce the number of children entering care and going out of borough. The Family Placement Team continues to work to increase availability of in-house foster placements. Provision for disabled children has been under review and Government funding for short breaks in 2009-10 is being used to increase places with existing providers for short term breaks, with funding in 2010-11 being used to commission extra services.

Promise 30

We will reduce the number of adults requiring long term institutional care by 20% over five years, releasing resources to invest in home support.

Progress

The number of domiciliary care hours continue to increase with the number of adults in long-term residential care reducing. Maple Court has now opened, providing 49 additional flats for community living with nominations continuing. Moredon Road has commenced providing accommodation (tenancy agreements) for three adults with a learning disability. Nominations are under way for William Robins Court for adults with a learning disability. All nominations are now processed for Wichelstowe and we are awaiting a completion date from the developers.

Promise 31

We will increase the range and choice of support for carers at home by increasing the amount of respite care and increasing the number of carers’ assessments by 100%.

Progress

There are now a Carers' Development Officer and a Carers' Support Care Manager in post. The Carers Strategy has been refreshed and priorities set for 2010. Swindon is a demonstrator site for better NHS support for carers and a planned development of holistic carer pathways project was started in September 2009.

Promise 32

We will promote greater independence and increased choice for disabled people, regardless of age, in a number of ways. For example we will commission an additional five extra care sheltered housing schemes, increase the number of direct payments and introduce purchase cards. We will also increase the use of “smart technology” to enable people to be safer in their homes.

Progress

We are currently developing the data set to support the Resource Allocation Statement which supports funding for self-directed support. Our number of direct payments has improved to 272 people.

Personal budgets pilots are due to commence in the North West Community Team in October. Extra care housing has been provided in four out of five locations and a project established to integrate Homeline, Telecare, and Telehealth to maximise the benefit of assistive technology.

Promise 33

We’ll help our most vulnerable, looked after young people to achieve an appropriate qualification, paying particular attention to literacy and numeracy and vocational skills to help their future prospects.

Progress

Promise 34

We will increase the number of supported housing schemes for people with learning disabilities by a minimum of one scheme per year.

Progress

Education results for children and young people in care have shown a significant improvement over the last five years. This year many pupils exceeded their predictions.

At Key Stage 2 there has once again been an increase in the number of pupils achieving the expected two or more levels of progress in English and science - with a rise of 23% in English and 49% in science. Maths results have remained static but it is worth noting that this year’s cohort contained three pupils with a statement of special educational needs.

99% of children in care have a high quality Personal Education Plan (PEP) which is used to identify extra support. The Personal Education Allowance (PEA) of £500 is allocated through the PEP Action Plan and this is used to support young people in achieving their agreed targets, e.g. by paying for extra tuition and participation in activities to raise self-esteem.

After-school study sessions and holiday clubs have increased and the numbers participating in these has also grown. The Reach Higher scheme to encourage children in care to access higher education has resulted in two young people participating in the Exeter University summer school this year.