Plans for child protection improvements

COMMITTEE DISCUSS COUNCIL’S PERFORMANCE

Concerns have been raised about the number of children under child protection plans in Sunderland.

Sunderland City Council’s scrutiny co-ordinating committee met last week to discuss a report on the council’s performance.

The corporate performance report provided data on council services between October–December 2017 ,with councillors invited to make comments.

In the “Protecting Vulnerable Children” section, the committee heard Sunderland has a higher rate of children subject to protection plans than its “statistical neighbours”.

In December 2017, Sunderland City Council’s rate was 103.8 per 10,000 – nearly double the rate of statistical neighbours at 53.31.

The term “statistical” neighbours refers to a group of about 11 councils who share similar characteristics within services for children.

Sunderland’s statistical neighbours include Halton, Hartlepool, South Tyneside, Gateshead, St Helens, Barnsley, Darlington, Tameside, Wakefield and Durham.

Figures also revealed 20% of children – or 44 – were subject to a Child Protection Plan for a second or subsequent time between October-December last year.

Director of performance and quality at Together for Children (TFC), Jayne Ivory, said there are “quite a high number of children in need in Sunderland” with several factors involved.

Chairman Norma Wright acknowledged the service was working to improve.

“We know that it’s an improvement journey and we know things are happening and you’re doing your best,” she said.

The committee also praised statistics that revealed 89% of care leavers, as of December 2017, had found suitable accommodation, beating the council target of 71%.