Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on Hampshire’s Children’s Homes.

The Children and Families Advisory Panel received a report from the Director of Children’s Services with an overview of the provision and development of residential care in Hampshire.

The Panel heard how the residential strategy was agreed in 2014 with a vision of choice, based of effective assessment of need and careful matching with a standard not less then that of a large family home. The strategy had two main strands, quality of staff and quality of environment. The Panel received an overview of the progress in each of Hampshire’s homes as set out in the report.

In response to questions, members heard that;

·         There continues to be a challenge in relation to recruitment.

·         A bi-monthly board has been established for managers of each home to meet, alongside other key managers in Children’s Services, to share best practise.

Resolved: That the Children and Families Advisory Panel note the update provided in this report regarding the provision and quality of residential care for Children Looked After within each of the Children’s Homes.