Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence received.

No apologies were 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 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 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 of the previous meeting were agreed and signed.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations received.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman asked if any members had visited a Children’s Home and wanted to feedback.

Cllrs Briggs & Carpenter shared details of a recent visit to Berryview, noting how modern and child friendly the home was and that the care was at a high standard.

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

The Children and Families Advisory Panel received a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the PREVENT strategy. This included an overview of how the County Council safeguard children when identified as posing a potential risk in relation to extremism or radicalisation.

Members noted that despite several high-profile incidents in the UK in recent years, referral rates in Hampshire have remained stable. Officers explained that there are extremist groups operating in Hampshire including animal rights and extremists left/right wing groups.

Members noted that of the individuals referred, the majority were male and under the age of 20. It was also highlighted that more children and young people were referred than adults and these were mainly received from schools. Officers detailed how all PREVENT referrals are referred to the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub via the Children’s Reception team (CRT). A strategy discussion is held to enable information to be shared across partner agencies to inform the decision-making process.

In response to questions members found that;

·         PREVENT was a statutory responsibility for the County Council.

·         Agencies have processes in place to cover the transition to adulthood to guard against individuals being missed once outside of Children’s Services remit.

·         Counter-Terrorism updates are received but they are unable to forecast, although active areas can be identified.

·         Referrals in relation to children lead to direct engagement for adults when necessary and appropriate.

·         There are process to enable joined up working with other counties.

Resolved: That the Children and Families Advisory Panel note the update provided in this report regarding the progress made in embedding the PREVENT strategy across Hampshire County Council’s Children’s Services Department.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the Hampshire Youth Offending Team and their annual Service Plan.

The Children and Families Advisory Panel received a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on Hampshire’s Youth Offending Team’s (YOT) Service Plan. This plan is a statutory requirement of the Youth Justice Board.

The Panel noted that Hampshire’s YOT worked with approximately 500 children at any one time, some of which can be subject to a statutory order while others are managed under Youth Crime Prevention.

The Panel heard how the Service Plan combines both Youth Justice Board and Hampshire County Council requirements and includes an overview of the previous year’s achievements and the risks to future delivery and how they will be managed.

Cllrs also received the YOT priorities which had been created with reference to the Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan 2017-21 and the Children and Young People’s Plan 2019-21.

Resolved: That the panel note the work of Hampshire Youth Offending Team and Youth Justice Plan for Hampshire 2019/20.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services with a proposed update to the Corporate Parenting Board following the outcomes of the recent Ofsted Inspection.

The Children and Families Advisory Panel received a report from the Director of Children’s Services proposing a restructure to its sub-committee, the Corporate Parenting Board.

Members noted the two core reasons for the proposed restructure. Firstly, there were issues raised in the recent Ofsted inspection surrounding the Board’s effectiveness at engaging with outside agencies such as Health, Police & District Councils. Secondly, the Board had been established for two years and there are lessons learnt this establishment period.

The current membership of the Corporate Parenting Board were present, and noted the positive role the Board had in playing a real role in Corporate Parenting and welcomed the suggested changes to strengthen this role.

Members considered the proposed Terms of Reference and noted that the new Corporate Parenting Board structure is designed to strengthen the principle that Corporate Parenting is a responsibility for all Councillors and Officers.

Resolved:

• To dissolve the existing Corporate Parenting Board arrangements as a sub-committee of the Children and Families Advisory panel with immediate effect.

• To consider the draft Terms of Reference for a newly constituted Corporate Parenting Board and recommend to Cabinet and the County Council that a new Board is established.

• (Subject to agreement of above recommendation) To consider the draft update to the Children and Families Advisory Panel Terms of Reference and recommend to Cabinet and the County Council that these be agreed.

• To delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer, to update the draft Terms of Reference identified in paragraphs 3 and 4 as required to ensure consistency with the County Council’s Constitution prior to their submission to Cabinet.

To receive a verbal update from the Director of Children’s Services in relation to Virtual Reality Learning.

The Children and Families Advisory Panel received a verbal update and demonstration from the Director of Children’s Services in relation to Virtual Reality Learning.

Cllrs took part in an interactive session with the Virtual Reality technology which has been used at recruitment and training events for Adoption & Fostering. Members noted how immersive the technology was and the impact this would have on prospective carers.

Resolved: That the Children and Families Advisory Panel note the use of Virtual Reality Learning.