HCTP Topic Group – 13 March 2009 Item 4

HERTFORDSHIRE CHILDREN’S TRUST PARTNERSHIP

EXECUTIVE

Meeting Date: / 10March 2009
Title of Report: / Children and Young People’s Plan 2008/09
Quarterly Performance Monitor Report
Report Author: / Steve Burton, Performance and Improvement Manager, CSF
Outcome Lead: / Ian Knowles, Assistant Director Performance and Business Support, CSF

PURPOSE OF THE REPORT

  • To present the HCTP Executive with the thirdquarter performance monitor for the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) 2008/09.

ACTIONS REQUIRED

No / Action / Due Date
1 / Toconsider and ratify the CYPP 3rdQuarter Performance Monitor 2008/09 / 10/03/09
  1. PERFORMANCE AND DELIVERY UPDATE

(a) Performance Rating

The process for collecting, analysing and reporting on progress against the 33 identified performance indicators within the CYPP is in place
Some development work remains to ensure the quality of both the data and the evaluative commentary that supports it / ON COURSE

(b) Delivery Update

1.1ThePerformance Monitor attached at appendices A and B reports on thethirdquarter period (October – December 2008.)

1.2.Appendix A summarisesperformance against CYPP indicators The followingcriteria have been used to assess performance:

AHEAD / ON COURSE / SLIPPAGE / NO PROGRESS / NOT YET ASSESSED
Data shows progress ahead of trajectory / Data shows progress is on-course against trajectory although there is a risk of being blown off course / Data shows progress is slipping against trajectory but we are heading in the right direction / Data shows no progress against trajectory / Progress not yet assessed there is no data available

This quarter, the colour used to represent ‘On Course’ has been changed. Some confusion had become apparent between the yellow used for this and the amber used for ‘Slippage’ to the extent that errors have been made in commentaries in the CYPP Action Monitor. In order to provide certainty and consistency across the range of monitors, the colour has been changed to blue, which should prevent this in the future.

1.3.A fuller breakdown of performance to date against each indicator is attached separately in Appendix B. This section looks at performance in more detail across 4 main headings:

  • A graphical representation of each CYPP performance indicator
  • Why the indicator is performing better or worse than the second quarter
  • What we are doing to improve performance against this indicator
  • How children and young people are better off as a result

1.4.Please note, relevant historical data has been reported against indicators, where available. The nature of the comparable period will be dependent on the type of indicator chosen. However, this has not been possible in some cases, owing to availability of data or the seasonality of the indicator.

  1. PERFORMANCE AGAINST THE INDICATORS

Performance for the 3rdquarter is consistent with the second quarter and in the main shows a positive picture. Of the 33indicators:

  • 3 indicators report being ‘ahead’
  • 12 indicators report their performance as being ‘on course’
  • 9 indicators report ‘slippage’
  • 7indicators report being ‘not yet assessed’ (either the information is not yet available or only a baseline figure has been provided)
  • 2 indicators are collected annually so no information is available

2.1Exception reporting

There are nine indicators reporting slippage for this quarter. The increase from the 2nd quarter has two notable causes. The impact of the ‘Baby P’ case has raised the number of social care referrals and the economic downturn has reduced opportunities available to those young people who are not in education, employment or training.

2.2Outcome 1

“No. of children with a child protection plan”

Although numbers have risen so they are significantly above target, they remain similar to our comparator groups. Checks are being made against the national data set issued in October 2008 to discover whether the Hertfordshire experience of increased numbers is a national issue especially as the death of baby P and the surrounding publicity has led to increased caution from partner agencies and a rise in the number of child protection investigations carried out.

“No of Section 47 Child Protection Investigations”

The increase in investigations reflects professional anxiety following the publicity surrounding the case of baby P

2.3Outcome 2

“The number of children looked after in Hertfordshire (defined as a rate per 10,000 under 18 looked after)”

The baby P case had a significant impact on the number of small babies becoming looked after in November. Twelve children under one became looked after in November compared with six in October and five in December. There are also 22 young people who are 18 but continuing to receive a service from the Department. Although they are not legally looked after, the only way to record these services is in the CLA database. We are raising this issue with the software supplier.

“Percentage of children and young people looked after age 16 to 19 in Hertfordshire who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).”

The proportion of young people who are either looked after or care leavers and who are in the NEET group was diminishing until October but the situation has reversed as there has been a sharp decline in employment opportunities since then.

Connexions Personal Advisors provide a comprehensive package of continuing support in accessing education, training and work. This includes information, advice and guidance, financial support for equipment and course fees, additional master classes and access to revision support. This allows those that drop out of learning are identified promptly and remedial action is taken to help them re-engage.

2.4Outcome 5

“Obesity amongst primary age school children in Year 6”

Levels of childhood obesity are increasing nationally. There is national level action regarding food advertising and labelling as well as the launch of a social marketing campaign. Multi-agency actions are also taking place locally but there will need to be a societal change in the way people live to reduce obesity levels. Hertfordshire children and their families are becoming more aware of the need for healthy lifestyles, which should start to improve outcomes, but it will take some years to achieve results.

2.5Outcome7

“Percentage of vulnerable children 16-19 who are (a) NEET and (b) NEET for 6 months or longer. By underachieving BME and those in 20% most disadvantaged SOAs.”

Up until September, there was a fall in NEET rates but the recent slump in the economy is having an impact on numbers particularly amongst 18-year-olds. Targeted work with young people from Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Black Caribbean minority ethnic groups has proved very successful as over 90% from these groups is remaining in learning after compulsory education.

2.6Outcome 8

“Percentage of young people aged 16-19 years in Hertfordshire with learning difficulties and disabilities (LDD) who are not in education, employment or training (NEET)”

In line with other NEET target groups, there had been an improvement in performance up to September and October. The slow down in employment opportunities due to the economic situation means that the NEET rate is now creeping up since then. Young people with LDD are close to 3 times more likely to be in the NEET group than their peers.

2.7Outcome 9

“Overall percentage of 16 to 18 year olds in not in education, employment or training (NEET)”

The current economic conditions have had an impact on the number of employment opportunities available particularly for 18-year-olds. This shrinkage in the employment market has led to more young people staying in learning after Year 11 but there remains an overall increase in the NEET rate since last year. Youth Connexions will be working with JobCentre Plus to ensure young people access the New Deal to ensure they do not become long term unemployed.

2.8Outcome 10

”Percentage of children and young people participating in their Child Protection Conferences”

The number of children participating in their child protection conferences had been increasing but has fallen in the last quarter. However, the relevant leaflets and participation pack have been updated and social workers are more aware of the need to involve children so this indicator should turn.

  1. HORIZON SCANNING (INCLUDING KEY RISKS)

3.1LAA2

In the last quarterly performance monitor report, we advised there are 25 targets within LAA2 but, due to Government cancellation of future Key Stage 3 Statutory Attainment Tests, six have been withdrawn. Thethreethat are already included in the CYPP remain within the reduced set. These are:

  • Effectiveness of CAMHS
  • Obesity among primary age school children in year 6
  • Narrow the gap between the lowest achieving 20% in Early Years Foundation Stage Profile and other children

The first report on LAA2 targets is attached at Appendix C. It is an extract from the full LAA2 target report for Hertfordshire Forward and remains a draft layout. Due to this, the three targets included within CYPP are repeated in the Appendix C. At this stage, none of the LAA2 targets has been rated for performance.

  1. NEXT STEPS

4.1Self assessment

The performance information from the 3rdquarter will allow outcome leads to concentrate on areas of the plan that are not performing so well. In the 4th quarter, there will be a performance monitor and an action monitor, which will lead to a full review of the work from CYPP for the whole year.

  1. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

5.1Production of the monitor will continue to be led by the CSF Performance and Improvement Team with support from the HCC Corporate IS Performance Information Unit.

  1. IMPLICATIONS FOR AGENCIES AND SECTORS

Sector/ Agency / Implications
CSF / Quality and timely contribution of data and evaluative commentary.
Health / Quality and timely contribution of data and evaluative commentary.
District Councils / N/A
Schools / Quality and timely contribution of data and evaluative commentary.
Police / Quality and timely contribution of data and evaluative commentary (when quarterly / annual data required).
Voluntary & Community Sector / N/A
Youth Connexions / Quality and timely contribution of data and evaluative commentary.
Learning & Schools Council/ Colleges / N/A
Children’s Centres / Quality and timely contribution of data and evaluative commentary (when quarterly / annual data required).
Probation / N/A

Page 1 of 7