Venue: Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester. View directions
Contact: Members Services
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Apologies for Absence To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies were received from Cllr McEvoy and Cllr Carpener. Cllr Davies was present as the Conservative deputy. |
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Declarations of Interest 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. Minutes: 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. |
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Minutes of Previous Meeting To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting were agreed as a correct record with the exception of Cllr Hayre being marked as present rather than having been absent. |
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Deputations To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12. Minutes: There were no deputations received. |
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Chairman's Announcements To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make. Minutes: The Chairman made no announcements. |
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Board Members Feedback - Engagement and Recent Activities An opportunity for Board members to provide a verbal update on their recent engagement activities. Minutes: Officers noted that opportunities for Councillor engagement would be circulated but this needed engagement to justify the resources required. |
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Corporate Parenting Board Action Log To receive an update from the Director of Children’s Services on the Corporate Parenting Board’s Action Log. Minutes: The Corporate Parenting Board reviewed the updated Corporate Parenting Board Action Log, used to track the progress of required actions and report back to the Board.
RESOLVED:
That the Corporate Parenting Board note the updated Action Log for the Board.
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Fostering Service Update To receive an update from the Director of Children’s Services on the Fostering Service. Minutes: The Corporate Parenting Board received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on Hampshire’s Fostering Service.
Officers explained that Hampshire’s Fostering Service is a county service led by the Fostering Service Manager which works with all in house foster carers, including connected carers who may live across the UK.
Members of the Board noted the work undertaken in relation to Fostering Recruitment including targeted fostering recruitment campaigns to attract potential foster carers and engagement with the public. Officers then set out the role of the Fostering Assessment team who support applicants through the thorough assessment process culminating with the fostering panel. The Board noted that there were two Fostering Teams covering the east and west of Hampshire which support foster carers and annually review their approval against the National Minimum Standards. In addition, the East and West teams support placement stability through 1:1 support or training.
Officers provided an overview of the 23 Hives across Hampshire which links up to 20 fostering families together to facilitate the development of relationships to create a support network like that of an extended family model of support to foster carers. As well as Hive support, foster carers have six weekly supervision with their supervising social worker, an annual review of their circumstances and an annual unannounced visit as well as ad hoc support when needed.
Officers concluded with a comparison of Hampshire’s Fostering Service alongside the National Picture and a summary of the recently established Standard Operating Procedures.
In response to questions members found that: · The Foster Carer recruitment target was not met, but it had been an ambitious target based on what was required rather than what was thought to be a likely outcome. It was noted that there was the usual number of Foster Carers deregistered in this period, but there was an increase in recruitment which showed that the campaigns had a positive effect. · The Government provides guidance on the suitable allowances for Foster Carers and Hampshire is above its recommended level to be more competitive for prospective carers. It was noted that the Hampshire brand and the quality of the support provided where also draw factors.
RESOLVED:
That the Corporate Parenting Board note the update on Hampshire's Fostering Service.
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Children In Care and Care Experienced Adults Councils and Participation Update To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the Children in Care and Care Experienced Adults Councils and participation. Additional documents: Minutes: The Corporate Parenting Board received a report and presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the Children in Care (CiC) and Care Experienced Adult’s (CEA) Council’s alongside participation more generally.
The Board noted the updates on the progress made against the Participation Action Plan and the work undertaken and feedback provided by the CiC and CEA Councils.
Members noted that these councils were established in the summer of 2023 and there are currently 19 members of the CEA Council and 13 members of CIC Council. Officers noted that all relevant individuals within Hampshire are eligible to be part of the Council but it’s up to the individual the extent they wish to participate. This method allows for a diverse cohort on the Councils and provides all with a chance to share their opinion and feedback.
Officers shared a specific example of an issue raised by the Councils in relation to young people’s ability to subscribe services such as streaming services, as the payment model for these services were not compatible with the current financial process in HCC children's residential homes. Members requested Officers look into this issue as a matter of urgency to find a viable solution to this issue, noting that young people in care should have a greater freedom to spend their money in the same way as their peers and to develop budgeting skills.
In response to questions members found that: · The stigma associated with experience of care was a key issue raised by the councils and so training was being provided in schools to combat this. Social Workers were also requested to arranged their visits outside of school hours when possible.
RESOLVED:
That the Corporate Parenting Board note the contents of the Children in Care and Care Experienced Adults Councils and Participation Update report.
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Ferne Lodge Children's Home Update To receive an update from the Director of Children’s Services on Ferne Lodge Children’s Home. Minutes: The Corporate Parenting Board received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on Ferne Lodge Children’s Home.
Officers initially provided a general update on all Hampshire’s children's homes including their Ofsted grades before focusing on the experience of Ferne Lodge, which had recently received an Outstanding judgement. This provided members with an insight into how inspections operate and how the directorate aim to develop all Hampshire’s homes to Good and Outstanding.
The Board noted that Ferne Lodge is a registered mixed gender home offering placements for children aged between 10-17 years. The young people placed there have a wide range of needs which staff provide for through the Emotional Warmth model of care (Pillars of Parenting), enabling children to manage their emotions, anxieties and behaviours.
Members received an overview of the inspection and what was involved over its two day duration alongside a summary of the feedback provided in the report from Ofsted and young people.
In response to questions members found that: · Staff complete the rota to suit their own working pattern which has facilitated staff retention and lessened the need for agency staff. The rota is carefully managed by the Manager to ensure there is always appropriate levels of staffing. · There were four young people at the home during the inspection, which was the homes capacity.
RESOLVED:
That the Corporate Parenting Board note the update on Ferne Lodge Children's Home and congratulate all involved with the Outstanding Ofsted rating received.
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Corporate Parenting Board - Terms of Reference Review To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing members of the Corporate Parenting Board with the context, background, and rationale in relation to the proposed revision of the Terms of Reference of the Board.
Additional documents:
Minutes: The Corporate Parenting Board received a report from the Director of Children’s Services setting out a proposed update to the Terms of Reference for the Board.
Officers noted that, following an Ofsted Focused Visit on Children in Care in January 2023, work had been undertaken to strengthen the representation of children’s voices at the Corporate Parenting Board. This has included engagement with other outstanding local authorities to share ideas and best practise.
The proposed update to the Terms of Reference included three key changes: · An increase in the number of meetings from three to four. · The inclusion of three co-opted members; o The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Care Experienced Adults Council. o The Chair of the Hampshire Fostering Network. · The requirement for the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services to chair the Board.
The Chairman noted they had been a member of the Board since it’s original inception, and thanked the members and Officers that had contributed to its many successes. The Chairman also expressed their hope that the changes to the Terms of Reference would enable to Board to continue to deliver for care experienced children in Hampshire.
RESOLVED:
That the Corporate Parenting Board agree the revised Terms of Reference and endorse it being presented to the County Council for approval.
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