Extra effort is being made to update care plans for 16 and 17-year-olds being looked after by Dorset Council.

While 85 per cent in the age group have a care plan in place, only 79 per cent have a plan which has been updated within the last seven months. They should be reviewed at least every six months.

The council is now embarking on an eight-week programme to update all of the plans to meet the statutory requirement for reviews.

The pathway plan sets out the long-term goals for the child’s upbringing and states how the child’s developmental needs in relation to health, both physical and emotional, education, identity, family and social relationships, social presentation and self-care skills are to be met.

From birth up to 15 years this is recorded on a Looked After Child care plan document and from 16 onwards this document is replaced with a pathway plan. The document has an increased focus on the development of independence and life skills and forward planning including transition to adulthood.

Figures before the council’s corporate parenting board, which meets on Monday July 15th, show 103 16-17 year olds being cared for by Dorset Council 88 of which have a pathway plan. Some of those without a plan will not yet have one having just come into care, although plans should be completed within four weeks of the child’s first Looked After Child review which, in turn, should be completed within four weeks of coming into care.

Unaccompanied asylum seeking children should have a pathway plan within three months of entry into care.