Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Robert Taylor and Councillor Pal Hayre was present as the Conservative deputy member. Apologies were received from Councillor Jackie Porter and Councillor Wayne Irish was present as the Liberal Democrat deputy member.

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 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 Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 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 Personal 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.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman noted that this was the first meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board since it’s remit and membership had been revised following agreement at County Council at its meeting on 13 February 2020. The Chairman welcomed new members to the Board and highlighted the valuable opportunity that being involved in Board matters would bring in terms of listening and engaging with children and young people in care, as well as care givers, across Hampshire.  

The Chairman thanked Councillor Roz Chadd who had been the previous Chairman of the Board and also thanked Councillors Fran Carpenter and Malcolm Wade who had comprised the previous Board.

The Chairman welcomed observers to the meeting who would be working closely with the Board in the future. Those observers present included:

• Sue Coleman - Hampshire High Sheriff
• Ruth Hillman - Operational Director, CAMHS
• Chief Inspector Melanie Golding - Hampshire Constabulary
• Naomi Black - Designated Nurse for Children in Care

An opportunity for Board members to provide a verbal update on their recent engagement activities.

The Chairman invited Members to present any feedback from recent engagement activities that they had been involved in.

Councillor Carpenter noted that she had visited Tile Barn for the Big Activity Week and had also been involved in regular care ambassadors meetings with care leavers. Councillor Carpenter had also attended a foster carers group in Ringwood.

Councillor Wade noted that he had visited children’s homes, had been a judge in a Got Talent competition and engaged with care ambassadors.

To consider a presentation of the Director of Children’s Services setting out the remit of the Corporate Parenting Board under it’s revised structure.

The Board received a presentation of the Director of Children’s Services setting out the roles and responsibilities of the Corporate Parenting Board and the ways in which corporate parenting happens in Hampshire.

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Parenting Board notes the presentation.

To consider a presentation of the Director of Children’s Services with information on the ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Board received a presentation of the Director of Children’s Services outlining how children and families services had responded to the Covid-19 pandemic and the steps being taken to overcome associated challenges.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that:

·         Since August the number of referrals had plateaued at about 15% higher than expected and in comparison to 2019.

·         Children’s Services staff were initially all based working from home but that some staff had returned to offices – particularly Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) social workers.

·         More social workers and two additional managers had been recruited into the MASH.

·         Unaccompanied asylum seeking children are often placed into foster care upon arrival into the country.

·         53% of vulnerable children had returned to school during the summer term. The remaining 47% were regularly contacted to ensure their wellbeing and to encourage return to schools where suitable aside from those isolating or shielding families. Attendance since September, through the early autumn term, had been very good.

·         The majority of contact centres had re-opened to enable face to face contact with appropriate health and safety measures in place.

·         Feedback from children in care regarding the increased use of virtual and IT software, such as WhatsApp and MS Teams, had been very positive.

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Parenting Board notes the presentation.

To receive a report and presentation from the Director of Children’s Services on the Big Activity Week.

The Board received a report of the Director of Children’s Services with an update on the Big Activity Week 2020.

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Parenting Board notes the content of the report and supports the promotion of The Big Activity Week 2021 with a thorough programme of activities throughout the year for children and carers to get outdoors, engaged in exciting and accessible activities.

To receive a report of the Director of Children’s Services with an update on Virtual School.

The Board received a presentation of the Director of Children’s Services with an update on the Virtual School.

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Parenting Board note the presentation.