Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services with an overview and introduction to the work carried out within the Children and Families branch of Children’s Services.

The Panel received a presentation of the Director of Children’s Services covering an Introduction to Children and Families Branch (Item 7 in the Minute Book).

The presentation followed the journey of a child from Early Help through to Adoption and included information of the County Council’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub, Referral and Assessment, Children in Need, Children in Care, Fostering and Adoption Teams. The presentation also included a focus on Child Protection and the County Council’s Residential homes.

In response to questions members heard that;

·         There is an increased focus on trying to address issues with parents which can be the causes of problems in families. This is related to the Partners in Practise scheme that Hampshire has been invited to take part in with a view to innovating new services. One method planned is a Family Intervention Team to address adult’s issues and help achieve a multi-disciplinary service to focus on the parent and the child.

·         Neglect is a multifaceted area of Child Abuse but Children’s Services is working to create a toolkit that can be used by all practitioners to help identify it.

·         Technology is used in some instances to keep in contact with young people. Young People are given the contact details for their Social Worker and children at risk of absconding are given mobile phones.

RESOLVED: That the Children & Families Advisory Panel note the role of the Children and Families Branch.