Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence received.

Apologies were received from Cllr Keast, Cllr Chadd therefore chaired the Panel.

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.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.

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 invited Panel Members present to share experiences of any visits to Children’s Homes or similar facilities.

Cllr Carpenter shared details of her recent visit to the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub, noting that it was very positive.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the support and guidance provided to support adults working with Children in Care who are LGBT+.

The Children and Families Advisory Panel received a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the support and guidance provided to support adults working with Children in Care who are LGBT+.

The Panel learnt of a good practise document which was now in circulation, published by Hampshire County Council in September 2018. This guidance was developed in recognition of the fact that children and young people who are identify as LGBT+ are potentially vulnerable and are likely to need and want access to advice and support as they grow and develop. The main aims of the document were to enable young people to feel more confident about seeking help and to provide helpful and positive information in relation to LGBT+ issues.

In response to questions members heard that;

·         The effect of these issues, and other people’s reactions, on Young People’s mental health is being considered and there are different ways in which this is supported.

·         Guidance documents exist for Schools and those who support Children in Care, but in time these can be adapted for all Parents and Children to access.

Resolved: That the Children and Families Advisory Panel note and welcome the content of the report and the guidance developed to support adults working with children in care who are LGBT+.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of the outcomes of the Care Leavers Peer Challenge.

The Children and Families Advisory Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of the outcomes of the Care Leavers Peer Challenge.

The Care Leavers Peer Challenge involved four senior managers from other local authorities in the South East assessing Hampshire’s Care Leavers service as a ’critical friend’. The key areas of consideration included consistency across the service, quality assurance and if the core offer was embedded within the service.

The Panel heard that the strengths identified included the investment in front line staff, personal assistants and hybrid devices. It was also noted that the quality assurance framework is well embedded and ‘The Hampshire Approach’ is known throughout the service

The Panel found that areas for consideration included whether a more innovative approach was possible, if responses to Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers could be developed and in outcomes could be improved for care leavers outside of Hampshire.

Resolved: That the Children and Families Advisory Panel note the outcomes of the Care Leavers Peer Challenge.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services on ‘The Hampshire Approach’.

The Children and Families Advisory Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services on ‘The Hampshire Approach’.

Members noted that the vision behind the approach was;

·         to create a family service, focussing on improving outcomes for children in the family context,

·         an integrated multi-disciplinary service led by social work professionals,

·         supporting social workers to deliver meaningful interventions and create lasting change,

·         improve flexibility to allow good practise to flourish.

The Panel heard that the desired outcomes of this new approach was to achieve positive and sustained change for children, young people and families while keeping more children safely at home. One of the key outcomes for families will be that they feel they are receiving the right support, at the right time, from the right person.

The Panel noted that Looked After Children numbers and repeat referrals should reduce as a result of this approach.

In response to questions members found that;

·         There were similarities between The Hampshire Approach and the Troubled Families programme which already operates in a similar fashion. The Hampshire Approach is in relation to statutory processes which Troubled Families does not cover.

Resolved: That the Children and Families Advisory Panel note the details of ‘The Hampshire Approach’ and will receive a progress update in 18 months time.