Panel meeting hears the council saw an almost 10% drop in the number of children in care compared in a year, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Haringey Council has reported a fall in the number of looked-after children in the borough, with rates now said to be at an all-time low.

As of March, the council saw an almost 10% drop in the number of children in care compared to the previous year.

There were 334 children in care, which is 29 fewer than was reported in 2023.

The number of unaccompanied asylum seeker children (UASC) children fell, while ‘acute stress’ as a reason for a child becoming looked after also dropped from 21% to 17% in the last six months.

These figures were discussed at a children and young people’s scrutiny panel yesterday (Monday 29th) at George Meehan House in Wood Green.

The drop was put down to “intentional work” that targeted enhancing support for children and their families.

Commenting on the report, committee member George Dunstall noticed the percentage of children under 16 with up-to-date care plans as of May was “quite low”.

He said: “The percentages seem quite low to me, for care plans in place, and I don’t know whether we’re moving in the right direction or wrong, some context would be useful.”

He also asked about the council’s reliance on agency staff.

Beverley Hendricks, assistant director for social care, responded: “Around 77% of children have an up-to-date care plan, our target is 85%, so we’re below.”

She also admitted the council could not always get the plan updated in the “timeframe set” and explained it could be by a matter of days. The council does not carry vacancies, but brings in agency staff, Beverley said.

Ann Graham, director of children’s services, explained the council “could absolutely get to 100%” but prioritised having “qualitative plans” over ensuring it hit targets.

She said: “There is a deadline, but no longer do we chase it, I just want to reassure you every child that should have a plan has a plan and it’s a meaningful plan.”

In terms of personal education plans (PEPs), a high performance was reported, with 92% achieving their targets as of this spring.

At the end of the meeting, Ann announced this was Beverly’s last panel, as she was stepping down from her role as assistant director, which she began in 2019, to take up the executive director for children, lifelong learning, and families at Merton Council.

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