Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence received.

None received.

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.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate 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 was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

No declarations were received.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes were agreed and signed.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

No deputations were received.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman congratulated the Children’s Services department on the recent ‘Outstanding’ OFSTED rating. The Chairman welcomed Cllr Carpenter on joining the Board and wished to record the Board’s thanks to Cllr Chadd for her time as Chairman and wish her all the best in her new role as Executive Member for Education.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update in relation to participation of Hampshire’s Children in Care.

The Corporate Parenting Board received a report from the Director of Children’s services in relation to an update on participation of Children in Care. The key aim was to recruit a new cohort of Care Ambassadors and the  Board heard that the County had been divided into four areas for this purpose. The Participation Officer is committed to representation from Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, Disabled Children and Children in Care from Residential Homes.

The Panel noted that the Participation Strategy had been in place since 2017 and is now embedded across Districts.

In response to questions, members heard that;

·         Stability for Children in relation to Social Worker churn continued to be a top priority.

·         Changing language was important to ensure a focus on children and young people’s expectations.

Resolved: That the Corporate Parenting Board note the update on the current focus of working practices for Officers working with Children in Care.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the current working practices in relation to Health Assessments for Hampshire’s Children in Care.

The Corporate Parenting Board received a report from the Director of Children’s services in relation to Health Assessments for Children in Care. The Board heard how the health of Children in Care has been an area under significant focus in order to improve the timeliness of assessments.

The Board received an overview of Initial & Review Health Assessments alongside immunisation and dental information.

Following a serious case review, all assessments enable the young person to speak to the health professional without their carer present to ensure that the voice of the child is heard.

Resolved: That the Corporate Parenting Board note the report and the update on the current focus of working practices for Officers working with Children in Care.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of educational attainment for Hampshire’s Children in Care.

The Corporate Parenting Board received a report from the Director of Children’s services in relation to the Education of Children in Care.

The Board received an overview of the Personal Education Plans which are a statutory active document for looked after children. This document sets out identified needs, school history, targets and the child’s views about their education.

In response to questions, members heard that;

·         The Designated Teacher, Foster Carer and Social Worker all act in the role of the parent in relation to education.

·         There are efforts to have a member of the County SEN team with an oversight for Children in Care.

·         The Designated Teacher passes on their knowledge to other teachers within the school.

Resolved: That the Corporate Parenting Board note the update provided in relation to Education for Children in Care.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services in relation to the protocol established for homeless individuals aged 16 & 17.

The Corporate Parenting Board received a report from the Director of Children’s services in relation to the reviewed joint working protocol between Hampshire’s Children’s Services Department and District Housing departments. This was as a result of the expanded duties for local authorities in the Homelessness Act 2017 in relation to housing for 16 & 17 year olds.

Resolved: That the Corporate Parenting Board note the contents of the report and agree that the key challenges will be considered by the Corporate Parenting Board.