Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies 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 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 5 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 made at this point in the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2020 were agreed by the Committee as a correct record of the meeting.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

The Committee did not receive any deputations.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman drew Members attention to the two minute silence for Armistice Day which would be observed during the Committee meeting at 11am.

The Chairman also highlighted that at the September Select Committee, Members agreed an additional recommendation in relation to Autism Assessment Services.  Members will have received by email a copy of the letter sent to the Chief Executive of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight CCG Partnership requesting due consideration to a preventative model of funding for Autism Assessments.

For the Select Committee to pre-scrutinise the proposed changes to the Short Break Activities Programme before consideration by the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services and Young People.

Representatives of Children’s Services provided a report and supporting presentation regarding outcomes from the consultation and recommendations on proposed changes to the Short Break Activities Programme, due for consideration by the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services and Young People at her 11 November 2020 Decision Day. (see Item 6 in the Minute Book). The Children and Young People Select Committee was invited to scrutinise the proposals prior to the Executive Lead Member’s decision, and provide recommendations to the Executive Member about the proposals.

Members of the Committee were taken through the presentation slides which outlined key areas of the report, and the financial context of the proposals was explained, with a savings target of £696,000 for the Short Breaks Activities Programme.  The context to the Service was highlighted as set out on page 4 of the presentation slides, and it was noted that specialist services provided for children with assessed social care needs were not included in the consultation.  It was heard that there were currently 2,500 Gateway Card holders in Hampshire, of whom 550 attended a short break activity in 2019/20, and attendance was variable as detailed on the graph on page 5 of the presentation slides.

The consultation commenced on the 9 March and the engagement undertaken was detailed on page 6 of the presentation slides.  In response to the Covid pandemic and the national lockdown, the engagement approach had to be flexed and this was explored through a variety of means which included virtual sessions, offers of telephone sessions and support to complete response forms.  The consultation period was also extended by a further 6 weeks to a total of 18 weeks in response to the pandemic. 

Each of the proposals were explained in more detail and set out on pages 10-18 of the presentation slides.  It was explained that most of the savings would be achieved from proposal one which would reduce the overall grant, but to continue to commission short break activities according to priorities agreed with parents.  The reasoning around this was explained and it was heard that in the current round, more places were purchased than anticipated, most providers rarely have a waiting list and there was, in some areas, a surplus of places.  This was the least popular proposal with consultation respondents, but the opportunity to achieve savings within the budget was limited and this proposal was recommended for implementation. 

The details around proposals two and three were explained to Members and in relation to proposal three, it was heard that this was not recommended for implementation because of the impact of the Covid pandemic, and within the grant round, a minimum match-funding level would not be imposed.  Details around proposal four were explained, which would reduce the grant awarded to Hampshire Parent Carer Network (HPCN).  It was highlighted that in reflection of the work HPCN undertake for the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG’s), the CCG’s have committed to contribute to HPCN’s grant so therefore there would be no net reduction in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 153.

For the Select Committee to pre-scrutinise the annual safeguarding report for Children’s Services before consideration by Cabinet.

The Committee received the Annual Safeguarding Report – Children’s Services 2019/20 (Item 7 in the Minute Book) for pre-scrutiny before being presented to Cabinet on the 24 November, from representatives of the Director of Children’s Services.  A presentation also accompanied the report.

The item was introduced, and it was explained that the annual report sought to provide assurance of safeguarding activity to Members and the response to this in Hampshire.  The presentation highlighted key aspects of the report which included the recent Ofsted judged ‘Outstanding’ inspection of Children’s Services, with safeguarding being a key aspect of the inspection.  It was heard that Children’s Services continue to improve and develop services, and its response to safeguarding issues for vulnerable children.  Key developments included the response to Covid-19, and the three phased approach to this was set out on page 6 of the presentation slides.

The issue of child exploitation was explained and the many elements which encompassed this.  Members attention was drawn to ‘County lines’, and it was heard that there had been an increase in this activity in Hampshire, as well as nationally, and a specialist social work team and specialist police team continued to work hard to disrupt this activity and to safeguard children, but this remained an area of significant concern.  The national and local issue of missing children was also highlighted, and Members noted that the numbers of children going missing has reduced and positive progress has been seen in this area.  In relation to Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC), it was explained that Hampshire has been a supporter of the National Transfer Scheme and this was detailed further, as well as the Home Office national consultation of the future of the scheme, and Hampshire’s response to this. 

Members heard further about performance and activity levels, and page 11 of the presentation slides showed the yearly numbers of social work assessments, with the timeliness of these being undertaken and completed at 92%.  This was above the regional average level and compared strong nationally.  It was heard that whilst the number of children on child protection plans had reduced annually, these numbers as well as the numbers of children coming in care had started to increase since April as a result of Covid-19 lockdown, which reflected the extra pressure and vulnerabilities experienced by families.  Officers were confident that this should reduce going forward with strong social work and multi-agency practices.  Page 12 of the presentation slides highlighted the Quality Assurance Framework, and the work to ensure quality standards were maintained was noted.

Local developments around recruitment and sector led improvement were presented, and in relation to the recruitment of social workers it was heard that the Hampshire vacancy rates were currently 13% compared to the national figure of 20%.  The support given to newly recruited social workers in Hampshire was also explained.  Members also noted the work of Hampshire’s Children’s Services as a ‘Partner in Practice’.  Page 15 of the presentation slides explained further the Transformation programme for children’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 154.

To receive an update from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of Clinical Commissioning Groups on CAMHS. (to follow)

The Committee received an update on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) (Item 8 in the Minute Book) from representatives of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of CCG’s.  This followed a previous update to the Committee on 20 November 2019.

The presentation was introduced and it was heard that there were some significant challenges facing the Hampshire CAMHS Service, which were set out on page 2 of the presentation slides.  These included a current waiting list of 1,387 children awaiting assessment, 1,480 awaiting treatment, with 4,174 currently on the treatment caseload.  In terms of current activity, it was highlighted that September saw high level of referrals which was attributed to return to school after the Covid lockdown.

Page 3 of the presentation slides detailed an overview of the services commissioned in Hampshire which included specialist CAMHS services, mental health support teams in some Havant and Gosport schools and community counselling services.  Pages 4-7 of the presentation slides, highlighted a breakdown of monthly figures over the last year for assessment waiting lists/times and treatment waiting list/times, and it was acknowledged that these figures were too long and not where the service would want to be.  The current key challenges were outlined and Members heard that there was rising levels of mental health issues in children and young people, and investment has not kept pace with the rising demand.  Issues such as Covid and the ensuing lockdown has affected individuals and families, and as a result of lockdown and school closures, there has been less oversight of risk for partner agencies such as schools.

Members heard details of the core CAMHS capacity investment, and it was heard that a detailed piece of work was undertaken last year which identified problems with levels of investment in the service, and progress has since been made with an increase of £1.3 million in core CAMHS capacity, but the increased demand for services has presented challenges.  Page 10 of the presentation slides drew attention to CAMHS crisis investment and it was noted that significant investment has been made in relation to the expansion of the community crisis home treatment team, and also investment has been confirmed for Paediatric/Psychiatric liaison across hospitals in Hampshire, details of which were listed on the presentation slide.

Details around eating disorder services for children and young people in Hampshire were also highlighted, and the challenges presenting for these services as a result of Covid lockdown were explained and it was heard that there had been a significant increase in referrals and inpatient care requirements.  In relation to autism and neurodiversity investment, it was confirmed that additional funding had recently been agreed to address autism assessment activity and the development of the wider neurodiversity and neurodevelopment pathway which should help tackle in full the current waiting lists over the next two and a half years.

Page 13 of the presentation slides explained the learning from Covid and details around public behaviour, digital clinical assessments and interventions, CAMHS capacity and crisis  ...  view the full minutes text for item 155.

To receive an update (written only) on Autism Services Commissioning for Children and Young People in Hampshire, from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of Clinical Commissioning Groups.

The Committee received a written update report on Autism Services Commissioning for Children and Young People in Hampshire (Item 9 in the Minute Book).  At their 28 September meeting, the Committee resolved to receive a written report for every meeting until the Committee were satisfied that the service had caught up and was providing a timely service for children, parents and schools and proof that the service was making progress.

The Chairman requested that any questions be either emailed to the Chairman, or the Democratic Services Officer, to be forwarded on for a response, which would be circulated to the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the Children and Young People Select Committee noted the update

To consider and approve the Children and Young People Select Committee Work Programme.

The Director of Transformation and Governance presented the Committee’s work programme (see Item 10 in the Minute Book).

The Chairman invited comments on the work programme and invited Councillor Porter to speak about a possible future update to the Committee on CAMHS, in particular the growing workforce, investment and progress with waiting times.  Cllr Porter suggested that this was assigned to the first meeting of the Select Committee following the County election in May 2021, and the Chairman and Committee were content with this.

RESOLVED:

That the work programme, subject to the additions set out above, was agreed.