Fewer children in council care being placed outside Swindon

The council’s head of children’s social work Angela Clarke told councillors on the children’s services overview and scrutiny committee the work set up to achieve a good Ofsted report in 2019 was continuing to bear fruit.

The local authority had been told to improve by Ofsted five years earlier.

Ms Clarke said while 34 per cent of looked after children were in placements more than 20 miles from Swindon in July 2019, that had dropped to 28 per cent by December last year.

She told the members work for those leaving the council's care at 18 had also improved.

“The recording of health histories for care leavers has improved and this was evidenced in an audit in April 2020," said Ms Clarke. "A mental health practitioner has been recruited to provide support to young people and this is having a positive impact.

“Work has progressed to further develop the preparation for care leavers for independent living. This has included increasing the permanent workforce within the team and a reduction in worker caseloads. A leaving care panel has been established to plan the transition for young people. Additional supported accommodation has been secured and a housing panel has been implemented to support young people into independent living.”