Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Please note a non-public appendix at agenda item 27.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services regarding The Independent Reviewing Officers’ (IRO) Annual Report.

An officer introduced the report stating the IRO service moved to virtual from March 23^rd. The team had responded quickly to changes and no reviews were out of date.  Virtual meetings had increased and the levels of communication with young people.  Overall, it had been a positive year with an increase in IRO visits, advocacy, allocation of independent visitors and a decrease in placement disruptions.

A member asked with the change of IRO responsibility form management to a wider overview, what has the effect been on a day-to-day basis.

An officer responded that it was no longer a case-by-case notification system, instead if you were concerned you would look at the whole service to see if a pattern could be identified.

The Chair asked if there was still an issue with the ongoing care plan documentation.

An officer responded that the pathway plan and care plan process had been changed but there was a technical issue with the system and implementing the new format required.  The care plan completion rate had increased but the document itself was still being pushed through.

An officer echoed the technical issues but ensured that it was being prioritised.

RESOLVED, that – the report be noted.