To listen to the top five issues that representatives from the Corporate Parenting Committee Shadow Board of Young People in Care and Care Leavers wish to discuss with Members.
Minutes:
Representatives from the Corporate Parenting Committee Shadow Board of Children in Care and Care Leavers attended the meeting and were introduced to the Committee. The Chairman reported that both he and the Vice-Chairman had met with the Shadow Board previously and been most impressed with its involvement to date.
The Shadow Board had been invited to attend the meeting in order to present to Members some of the issues it had identified as being of concern to children in care, and which they would like the Committee to investigate further. The following common themes had emerged during its discussions:
Paperwork and permissions
This included the upset and disappointment caused when permission was not received in time to go to a friend’s house for tea or a sleepover; participate in a school activity; the time taken to obtain a passport or a driving licence for example.
Education
Additional support was needed for children who had to move from school to school a number of times; greater assistance in helping to understand and access funding for further education; assistance in obtaining a bus pass.
Whilst the young people understood that some difficulties were caused by safeguarding or health and safety issues, they asked if processes could be speedier and easier to understand. There was also concern that the reasons given to them when a delay did occur, or a permission was refused, might not necessarily be the most honest answer and this caused additional frustration.
The Chairman confirmed he would investigate their concerns further with both Members and Officers and respond to the Shadow Board direct.
In discussing the input of the Shadow Board and thanking them for attending the meeting, a discussion ensued on how best to co-ordinate business between it and the Committee. It was agreed that once the Committee meeting dates for the coming municipal year had been confirmed, the Shadow Board would arrange its meetings to fit in with its timetable; this would enable Members to attend Shadow Board meetings at a time and place more convenient for the young people and for them to then report back on its discussions.
The Members of the Shadow Board were thanked for their attendance and left the meeting.
With reference to cared for children and education, consideration was given to the input of the Virtual School and whether proposed changes in the application of the pupil premium grant would enable it to be used to assist in improving outcomes of cared for children. The Committee was advised this could be included in the annual report of the Virtual School which was due to be considered at a future meeting of the Committee. In addition a report on the Care Leaver Offer was due to be considered by the Committee at a future meeting and this would encompass some of the concerns with regard to further education.
Members confirmed they had found the input of the Shadow Board very useful and asked how younger children in care could be offered a similar opportunity to make their voice heard; it was agreed this be given further consideration.
RESOLVED
1. That the points raised by the Corporate Parenting Committee Shadow Board of Children in Care and Care Leavers be noted and investigated further, and that a response be presented back to the Shadow Board direct.
2. That consideration be given the role of younger cared for children with the Committee and how to enable them to have a voice and be involved.