Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors P Butterill, M Grant and O Hunter.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

No declarations of interest were made.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2018 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2018 be approved as a correct record, subject to the following amendments to the officers present at the meeting:

Officers in attendance:

Delete: P Lambert, Head of Cared for Children

Insert: Kerry Birtles, Head of Cared for Children & Care Leavers

Add: Shan McParland, Designated Nurse Looked After Children

Add: Ruth Tucker, Named Nurse Safeguarding Nurse

To receive an oral update on activities. 

The Head of Cared for Children and Care Leavers reported on a meeting she had had with young people the previous week and at which they had discussed what corporate parenting was and talked about the ‘pen picture’ of Corporate Parenting Committee members and the information they would like to be included. 

To not the Care Leavers Annual report.

The Committee considered the Care Leavers Annual Report 2017-18.

The report provided details of the work undertaken to help care leavers to be better prepared and supported to live independently; have improved access to education employment and training; better access to health support; access to housing when leaving care and achieve financial stability.

The report highlighted events which care leavers had participated in.  These include a Christmas dinner and 6-a-side footpath team league and meeting with Mark Riddell, Department for Education Care Leaver Implementation Adviser.

New statutory guidance had been published stating that all local authorities needed to implement a 21-25 Offer to care leavers.  Under the guidance annual contact must be made with all care leavers 21-25 years.

The recent DfE visit had highlighted that the operational model was very strong but practice was impacted by the lack of a Corporate Offer.  The role and function of Corporate Parenting was viewed as needing to be strengthened as it was perceived that there was limited buy-in from key partner agencies.  This provided an opportunity to re-focus and address need across health, housing and any adult service provision to better support to care leavers as they move towards adulthood and independence.

Members of the Committee asked about and made comments on care leavers access to apprenticeships, the Stoke City FC course, the allowances available to care leavers, substance misuse and access to health care, care leaver learning to drive and the location of the drop in centre.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

This will be a presentation and an interactive exercise for the Committee.

The Committee received a presentation on the Corporate Parenting Strategy.

A refresh of the Strategy was being undertaken to reflect the changes in national and local policy, feedback from Mark Riddell’s visit and link to the five corporate parenting priorities. 

Members of the Committee completed a questionnaire on their knowledge and confidence as a corporate parent.  The Committee discussed the issue of visits and the required clearance and how they could communicate to those outside of the council on corporate parenting.

An example of a completed ‘pen portrait’ was shared with the Committee.  It was agreed that members of the Committee would forward the required information and photographs to the Corporate Parenting email address for their ‘pen portraits’ to be completed.

RESOLVED:  That

1        the report be noted; and

2        the information and photographs for completion of ‘pen portraits’ be forward to the Corporate Parenting email address.

To consider a report updating the Corporate Parenting Committee on national and local developments in relation to cared for children and young people and care leavers.

The Committee received an update on national and local developments in relation to cared for children and young people and care leavers.

The report included updates on:

·       changes to the Children and Social Work Act applying to corporate parenting, local offer and support to age 25

·       feedback from Mark Riddell, National Implementation Adviser for Care Leavers, on the Council’s arrangements to support care leavers

·       the Inspection of Local Children’s Services inspection framework coming into force in January 2018.

The Head of Services for Cared for Children and the Portfolio Holder for Children and Families regularly met with cared for children and young people and care leavers.   Discussion at recent meetings had included contact with family and friends and how they can maintain a relationship with them; delivery and information about sexual health and healthy relationships; celebration of individual achievements, and attendance at local and national events to share experience.

RESOLVED: 

That the report be noted.