Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor North and Councillor McEvoy.

Councillor Davies and Councillor Meenaghan were in attendance as deputies.

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 the new co-opted members to the meeting – Katy Hutchings (who was not able to be present) and Jodie Beckham.

The Chairman noted that a list of children in care questions for Members undertaking school visits would be circulated to the Board following the meeting.

To receive an 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.

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 and noted the following:

·         Action no.3 - The County Council’s policy regarding access to paid channels (Disney, Netflix) for children in residential homes had been updated and access had now been made available.

·         Nine ‘Challenge Cards’ had been received throughout November/December and work was ongoing to address the points raised. There was discussion regarding the terminology – ‘Challenge Cards’ – and whether this conveyed the right tone linking to a inclusive, fluid process for receiving feedback from young people. Officers agreed to review the terminology and titling as part of the wider review of the process.

·         To add into the Action Log – work to identify care experience as a Protected Characteristic when applying for employment at the County Council.

·         To add into the Action Log – a project looking at providing corporate HCC Wi-Fi into residential homes.

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Parenting Board noted the updated Action Log with additions as noted above.

To receive the annual report from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services team for Children in Care.

The Board received the Annual Report 2023/24 from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Children in Care (CIC) team.

National and regional developments were noted by the Board such as the new national Children Protection Information System. Members noted that HIOW Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust had become a legal entity 1 October

2024 and that Solent and Southern Health Foundation Trust were working to integrate services.

The Board were pleased to see increases in immunisation figures and health assessment date for Hampshire CIC. Following the introduction of the new social care system, Mosaic, data was more readily available for analysis. Members also welcomed the resources produced by the specialist CIC nurse team targeted at different roles and professions to help support young people.

In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that:

a)    Provision of DDP training to schools and designated teachers could be added to a future Board agenda via the regular Virtual Schools update.

b)    CIC referrals to CAMHS were seen separately to other referrals and were prioritised.

c)    Data reporting ‘gaps’ as shown on page 25 of the pack, were linked to the limitations of system reporting and that Mosaic would enable more detailed and reliable reporting going forward. Members agreed to add to the Action Log a more holistic review of CAMHS data looking at waiting lists and time from referral to treatment.

d)    The NHS team would consider adding an Easy Read version of their online resources.

e)    An agenda item would be added for a future Board meeting covering complex commissioning.

RESOLVED:

      i.        That the Corporate Parenting Board note the report.

    ii.        That the Board’s Action Log be updated in reference to point c above.

   iii.        That a future agenda item be considered in reference to point e above.

To receive an update report regarding Hampshire’s Care Councils.

The Board received the report from Motiv8 detailing recent activity by the Hampshire Care Council.

Members discussed the importance of holding Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings and the impact of holding these during school time and removing young people from their lessons. The Board noted that there was a standard PEP process which should be following by all settings. It was noted that advance notification to Foster Carers of their young person’s PEP meetings should be given and would be incorporated into the guidance.

The Board discussed the Post 16 Supported Accommodation Strategy and the importance of supporting young people with housing. The Chairman noted that she had written to Hampshire’s District and Borough Authorities on this topic.

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Parenting Board note the report.

To review the joint working protocol between the Hampshire Corporate Parenting Board and the Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership.

The Board received the report setting out the Joint Working Protocol between the Hampshire Corporate Parenting Board and the Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership.

RESOLVED:

That the Corporate Parenting Board notes the Joint Working Protocol.