Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Carla Wright.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting dated the 25 September 2018 were signed.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations received.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman had no announcements.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services with an overview of the Bright Spots Survey 2018.

The Panel received a report from the Director of Children’s Services on the recent results of the Bright Spots Survey of Children in Care. The report provides an overview of the 2018 survey which was undertaken by 378 children and young people from Hampshire County Council’s care population of 1304, a response rate of 29%.

The Panel heard how three surveys were used in order to be appropriate for all ages however there were 16 core questions in each of them. It was noted that the large majority of children in care believed that the adults they lived with noticed how they were feeling. When asked what they wished for, Children and Young People gave the following answers;

·         Fewer changes in Social Worker,

·         More/Less Family Contact,

·         An identified trusted adult,

·         Less bullying or more friends,

·         A clearer understanding of their journey into care.

In response to questions members heard that;

·         The bullying reported may be an individuals experience or perception of bullying and so this is much more difficult to tackle. This can include feeling different due to interactions with a Social Worker etc.

·         A large number of Local Authorities took part, but Hampshire has been compared to the 16 most similar to it.

Resolved: That the Corporate Parenting Board note the content of the report.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services with an overview of the South East Sector Led Improvement Programme – DCS Peer Challenge of the Care Leaver service.

The Panel received a report from the Director of Children’s Services on the South East DCS Peer Challenge of Care Leaver Service. This took place on the 8 & 9 November and saw senior officers from another authority assessing Hampshire’s Care Leaver service.

Overall the feedback was very positive with a number of strengths being identified such as investment in technology, increasing the numbers of Personal Advisors and the transition process from Care Leaver to Adult’s Services. Recommendations from this will be embedded into the overall Quality Improvement Plan.

In response to questions members heard that;

·         Personal Advisors were allocated to Children in Care at 16, although they retain their Social Worker until 18. The Personal Advisor helps transition them into adulthood and take over the case at 18. There are currently four teams of ten Personal Advisors.

·         Approximately 90 Care Leavers have returned to the service as a result of letters sent to them following the extended duties in the Children and Social Work Act 2017.

Resolved: That the Corporate Parenting Board note the content of the report.

To receive an update from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the progress made on all elements of the Participation Strategy.

The Board received a Report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the participation of young people in shaping improvements in the care system.

The Board heard how there had been various success around the County and it was noticed that the more young people involved in events the more likely they were to find potential Care Ambassadors. However it was also shared that moves have been taken towards involving all young people in care, not just those who have come forwards to be Care Ambassadors.

Resolved: That the Corporate Parenting Board note the content of the report.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services with feedback from the recent conference held on 22 October 2018.

The Board received a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of the recent Participation Conference. The conference was attended by 51 adults and 32 young people and took place following each District running their own engagement activity.

The Board heard how the day lead to valuable contributions from young people and looked at; the qualities of a good social worker, communication and use of terminology.

In response to questions members heard that;

·         There is a need to use professional language less with young people.

·         There is as much effort involved in finding the voice of the child as there is listening to them and showing that they were heard.

Resolved: That the Corporate Parenting Board support similar events taking place in the future in order to gain feedback/wishes and views from children and young people to influence the shaping of service going forward.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services with the outcome letter from the recent departmental Ofsted inspection.

The Board received a report from the Director of Children’s Services in relation to a published letter from a recent Ofsted Focussed Visit. The Board heard how the assessment was in relation to safeguarding children and managing children subject to a Child Protection Plan or Public Law Outline process, relevant to the Board as the majority of Children in Care have been involved in these process previously.

Resolved: That the Corporate Parenting Board note the content of the letter and the positive conclusion.

To receive the annual report from the Director of Children’s Services.

The Board received a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an Annual Report on the Corporate Parenting Board.

The Chairman noted that this report had already been presented to the Board’s parent committee, the Children and Families Advisory Panel.

Resolved: The Corporate Parenting Board noted the annual report.

To receive feedback from the workshop which took place on 13 November 2018.

The Chairman provided an overview of feedback received following a recent visit by members to a Social Work team. There were concerns regarding the move to preventative work for Children in Care but the Board heard that they were early in the consultation stage for this and not all answers had been circulated yet.

Resolved: That the Corporate Parenting Board will form feedback into questions for Officers, in order to allow them to respond to the issues raised.

To agree the Work Programme for the Corporate Parenting Board.

Resolved: The Corporate Parenting Board reviewed and agreed the Work Programme for upcoming meetings.