Public reports pack Wednesday 22-Jul-2015 19.00 Council

Page 74 Acting as a resource for colleagues, as experienced social workers with specialistexpertise in the needs of looked after children Identifying systemic or resource deficiencies in the service to looked after childrenand lobbying for improvements Working to proactively develop the service to looked after children throughinnovation.2.35 The Lambeth Independent Reviewing Team for Children looked after has remainedstable with only one change of staffing over the period plus an additional locum to coverlong term sickness.2.36 In 2014 the IRO Service undertook a consultation with 83 CLA, the survey covered anarray of areas.When asked were you satisfied with the way your review was chaired. 50% said they were very satisfied 44% were satisfied 6% were not satisfied.When asked are you happy with your care plan? 91.2% said they were happy 8.8% said they were not.When asked do you feel as if your IRO is helping you? 97.1% said that they thought they were 2.9% said they did not think they were.2.37 National and local research has suggested that in some boroughs CLA have stated thatthey would like to chair their own review meetings. Further exploration of how this mightwork for Children and Young People in Lambeth is currently being undertaken.2.38 In 2014 Lambeth commissioned Barnardo’s Advocacy Service to deliver specialistsupport for children with severe disabilities in their review meetings. The young peoplewere identified by their IRO’S and Social Workers. The majority of cases allocated werechildren and young people without capacity to express their wishes and views.2.39 The approach taken in these instances was non-instructed advocacy, whereby theadvocate developed a best interest’s argument to build a picture of what the child’swishes and views might be, were they able to articulate them. The advocate met with thechild and observed them interacting in different settings with key professionals andcarers. They consult with these key people to seek their views around the child’s bestinterests and develop insight into their needs and how best they can be met. Throughthis process, key issues to advocate on may emerge and require follow-up between LACreviews.2.40 Due to the success and importance of the scheme Lambeth will be doing this again in2015 and may incorporate it as part of the external advocacy service we commission8