Issue - meetings

The Committee received the annual report from the Independent Reviewing Officer Service (IRO) for 2013/14. A short presentation was made at the meeting by Anita Gibbons, Head of Quality Assurance and Principle Social Worker, setting out the legislative background, details of the team, key achievements in 2013/14 and service development for 2014/15. 

Members asked whether more could be done to reduce the numbers of children coming into care. Officers always questioned whether children should be in care or in temporary respite. It was recognised that many children would need support beyond the age of 18 – the statutory duties of the IRO team ended at 18 and any extension of support would need to be resourced. It was noted that percentages for children participating in reviews were high (98.8% of children over 4) but this was not exceptional and only what Ofsted now expected. 

RESOLVED that the report and presentation be noted.