Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies had been received from Cllr Carpenter and Cllr North. Cllr Davies and Cllr Meenaghan were attending as the Conservative Group deputies.

Apologies had also been received from Cllr McEvoy.

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.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.

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 welcomed Orlanda Cooper, the Board’s newly appointed co-opted member for Hampshire’s Foster Carers to her first meeting. The Chairman also drew attention to the display outside the hall, showcasing achievements of Hampshire Children in Care and Care Leavers, and requested all members to take a look.

The Chairman recalled the various visits and workshops they had attended, including a visit to Swanwick Lodge and also noted a recent decision they had taken on an expansion of Residential Housing.

The Chairman concluded by showing a video published on the Council’s YouTube account entitled ‘Jodie’s Journey: Empowering Care Leavers During Care Leavers’ Week in Hampshire #NCLW2024’.

To receive a verbal update from Corporate Parenting Board members on their recent engagement activities.

Several members shared positive feedback in relation to recent Children in Care meetings they had attended. Board members stressed the need to fill the two vacancies for co-opted members from the Care Experienced Council.

To receive an update from the Director of Children’s Services on the Corporate Parenting Board’s Action Log.

The Corporate Parenting Board reviewed their updated Action Log noting the following:

·         Providing pre-paid cards for Children in Care had met some internal issues in relation to providing these within the Council’s financial processes. The Corporate Parenting Board noted that this issue had their full and firm endorsement and expressed their wish that this issue was quickly resolved.

·         The ‘Challenge Cards’ had been introduced and feedback on the process was being sought by Young People.

·         It would be beneficial to receive an overview of the outcomes of those individuals who are no longer in Hampshire’s care, with the numbers of those in further education, NEET, entered the Criminal Justice System etc.

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Parenting Board noted the updated Action Log.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of the use of alternative provision and reduced hours provision for children in care.

The Corporate Parenting Board received a report and presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of the impact of alternative provision and reduced hours provision on Children in Care.

Officers explained that alternative and reduced hours provision should only be put in place in the best interests of the young person’s short-term access to education. It was noted that there must always be consideration for the inevitable loss of education. Members noted that these changes must have the agreement and written consent of parents, social worker, and carers as appropriate, and be in consultation with any other relevant agencies working with the young person, including the Virtual School Headteacher.

The Board noted that the Virtual School may use additional pupil premium spend to support a young person who is on a reduced hours timetable or requires alternative provision, for example, to pay for additional tutoring.

In response to questions members found that:

·         Young people receive reduced timetables for a wide range of reasons, but it is always a short term intervention. Reviews take place every six weeks and support is provided to return to full time education when ready.

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Parenting Board noted the contents of the report and requested an update in a year’s time.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services informing the Board about the quality assurance processes for children and young people in commissioned placement. This includes Children’s Services’ Quality Outcomes Contract Monitoring framework.

The Corporate Parenting Board received a report and presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an overview of the commissioning and quality assurance of supported accommodation.

Officers set out the regulatory changes to Post-16 Supported Accommodation provisions following the sector becoming regulated by Ofsted in October 2023. Officers also explained the Children’s Services Directorate’s quality assurance processes, informing Members of the robust quality assurance measures applied to all supported accommodation provision for children and young people.

The Board noted there were a number of performance benefits to the Quality Outcomes Contract Monitoring framework, which enables concerns to be investigated in a coordinated way and in line with contractual terms. This can help in the development of future service specifications and contracts and can better inform the commissioning of individual placements.

In response to questions members found that:

·         There has been some reluctance to register which has led some providers to move to the 18+ sector as it is not regulated by Ofsted.

·         The regulations are new and the quality of provision remains varied but there has been some evidence of improvements.

·         Young People will not be moved if currently in unregistered accommodation, unless there are concerns for their wellbeing. Checks have been undertaken by the Children’s Services Directorate ahead of all existing placements separate to these new regulations.

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Parenting Board noted the content of this report and endorses the QOCM Framework, and requested an update in due course.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services to update the Corporate Parenting Board on the progress of the Refugee Service, and of the plans for ongoing development of the service.

The Corporate Parenting Board received a report and presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the Refugee Service.

The Board noted that the authorities cohort of separated children continues to increase month on month. To enable the Directorate to meet their needs, two Refugee teams were established in February 2023, responsible for all children seeking asylum.

Members noted that these teams are mix of social workers, care leaver personal advisers and family practitioners. Officers explained how Children are allocated to the team directly from MASH and Social Workers undertake trafficking and section 47 assessments on all young people.

The Refugee teams continue to have close links with The Willow Team which ensures that exploitation and trafficking risks are identified and managed at an early stage in the child’s journey.

In response to questions members found that:

·         472 Care Leavers are former separated young people who now have highly supportive accommodation.

·         The cost of placements is rising and it is increasingly hard to find Foster Carers for this cohort.

·         Agency staff who are resident in London are employed for those young people placed there. They receive a rate in line with the South East’s memorandum of understanding, rather than a London weighting.

·         There is a separate process in place for young people from Ukraine as part of the national resettlement scheme.

·         Once in the UK, all Young People were made subject to a Child Protection investigation to assess their individual circumstances and create a personalised plan at the level required.

The Chairman agreed to write to the Home Office in their role as Chairman of Hampshire’s Corporate Parenting Board and the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services in relation to the issues raised during this item.

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Parenting Board noted the contents of this report, and the positive progress made in respect of the Ofsted recommendation.

To receive a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update from the Participation Leads on the Care Councils.

The Corporate Parenting Board received a report and presentation from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the development of the Care Councils.

The Board received an overview of the second annual Care Council and CPB event on 28 September 2024, an opportunity to hear directly from Care Council members about their activities this year, and to review the feedback from over 230 young people who completed the summer survey. The Board also received updates on the various working groups, established to focus on priority areas identified by Care Experienced young people.

The Board discussed methods of facilitating Young People’s engagement with the Board, in particular recruiting to the two vacancies for members of the Care Experienced Adult’s Council to be co-opted onto the Board.

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Parenting Board noted the contents of the report.