Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from the following members;

·         Cllr Briggs

·         Cllr Drew

·         Cllr Huggins

·         Cllr Withers Lt Col (Retd)

·         Cllr Porter

·         Cllr Wade

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 made.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2022 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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 thanked the members of the Select Committee for their work throughout the last year, mindful that the Council’s AGM may lead to changes in the committee’s membership.

To receive an update from the Director of Children’s Services on Hampshire’s Youth Services.

The Committee received a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of how Hampshire County Council contributes to supporting young people to succeed and achieved through services across the County.

Members heard how The Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) is used by Hampshire’s Children’s Trust partnership to identify priorities to support children and young people. This plan has five overarching priorities for all partners to deliver against: My Health, My Relationships, My Future, Mr Family and My Community.

It was noted that many youth services in the County are not directly provided by HCC, however there are significant contributions made by the Council to facilitate their delivery.

The Committee received an overview of the main youth services in Hampshire, separated into the corresponding priority of the CYPP.

In response to questions members found that:

·         The Family Information Service Hub contained all the information on youth services, but this was a resource which needed to be promoted more effectively.

·         Local Children’s Partnerships provide support for those wishing to create organisations for young people.

·         There may be repercussions for youth services as a result of the national care review currently underway.

·         All youth services are available for children in children’s homes.

RESOLVED:

That the Children and Young People Select Committee note the contents of the report.

To receive an update from the Director of Children’s Services on the Hampshire Youth Offending Team.

The Committee received a report and presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of how work of Hampshire’s Youth Offending Team (YOT) during 2021/22.

The Committee heard how Hampshire YOT is a statutory partnership which provides youth justice services for the Hampshire Local Authority Area. The team’s role is defined by the Crime and Disorder Act 1986 to prevent offending and reoffending by children. The four partners with statutory responsibility for youth offending are the Local Authority, Police, Probation and Health (CCGs). The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, part of the Ministry of Justice provides oversight and support.

The Panel noted the staffing structure of Hampshire’s YOT and received an overview of the team’s performance which was assessed as ‘Good’ in 2018, with a target of ‘Outstanding’ at the next inspection in 2024. Members noted the priorities of the YOT going forwards and the expectations of the Youth Justice Plan being confirmed later in the year.

In response to questions members found that:

·         There was a variety of preventative work the YOT undertook, such as that focussed on reducing the risk of young people witnessing domestic violence.

·         The County had recently had success in Basingstoke tackling a youth gang via a ‘Youth Gang Injunction’, however these are difficult to obtain due to the threshold of proof required to identify a group as a ‘gang’.

·         One of the YOT’s most important priorities is reducing the racial disparity, which often requires close working with partner agencies.

RESOLVED:

The Children and Young People Select Committee note the positive work of Hampshire YOT during the last 12 months.

To receive a progress update from the Director of Children’s Services on the Corporate Parenting Board and Personal Education Plans.

The Committee received a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing a progress update against the priority areas identified by Ofsted in 2019 in relation to the Corporate Parenting Board (CPB). The report also included an update on the progress made to improve and develop the Personal Education Plan process.

The Committee received an overview of the changes made to the CPB to expand its membership and engagement with external agencies. This included a summary of the various outreach activities board members had undertaken and the items considered by the Board at its meetings.

Members also heard how high-quality PEPs were a key tool for promoting the educational outcomes of Children in Care. They noted the project undertaken jointly between the Children & Families and Education & Inclusion branches of Children’s Services to review the process alongside the results and actions taken following it.

RESOLVED:

That the Children and Young People Select Committee note the contents of this report and the positive progress made in respect of the Ofsted recommendation.

To receive a regular information 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 on Autism Services Commissioning for Children and Young People in Hampshire (see Item 9 in the Minute Book).

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 Chief Executive presented the Committee’s work programme (see Item 10 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the work programme, subject to any amendments made during the meeting, is agreed.