Agenda and minutes

The Chair of the Committee to open the meeting and welcome those present.

The Chair welocmed officers and members of the committee to the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 May 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 May 2025 were confirmed and signed.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their decision councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

Representatives of town or parish councils and members of the public who live, work or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area are welcome to submit up to two questions or two statements for each meeting. Alternatively, you could submit one question and one statement for each meeting.  

All submissions must be emailed in full to [email protected] by 8.30am on 8 December 2025

When submitting your question(s) and/or statement(s) please note that: 

·       no more than three minutes will be allowed for any one question or statement to be asked/read  

·       a question may include a short pre-amble to set the context, and this will be included within the three-minute period 

·       please note that sub divided questions count towards your total of two 

·       when submitting a question please indicate who the question is for (e.g. the name of the committee or Portfolio Holder) 

·       Include your name, address and contact details.  Only your name will be published but we may need your other details to contact you about your question or statement in advance of the meeting. 

·       questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda 

·       all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.   

There was no public participation.

To receive the report from the Quality Assurance Service Manager.

The Quality Assurance Service Manager introduced the report and highlighted some of the key areas of progress and milestones that had been achieved over the past year.

The timeliness of minutes and the improvement beyond what is currently reported.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director for Care and Protection.

The Head of Service for Children in Care introduced the Corporate parenting data set and described the context of children in care locally and nationally and the work that is going on to met their needs.

The committee discussed the following areas.

·       Children placed out of county and the costs involved in those placements.

·       The competition of PETS and the upward trend of timely completion.

·       The children in care school attendance in relation to general school attendance.

·       The challenges around finding and maintaining safe and settled placements.

·       Discussions about those in temporary placements and the reasons behind that.

To receive the report from the Strategic Commissioner

The Senior Advocate, NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) introduced the report and described the activities that have been undertaken over the last year and set out the aspirations for the future.

The committee investigate the continuity of advocates and the opportunities for young people to have stability of adovacy.

There was discussion of the opportunity to promote independent visitors and the potential to capitalize of people with existing relationships through different aspects of childrens services such as fostering.

To receive the report from the Service Manager (Virtual School) Level 2

The Corporate Director for Education & Learning introduced the report and set out the actions and progress of the virtual school over the past year.

The use of headsets that allow people to experience things through the lens of a trauma experienced young person was raised and the opportunity for the committee to trial these was planned for 2026.

There was discussion on the tracking and monitoring of the performance of pupils along with the availability of extracurricular enrichment activities.

To receive the report from the Head of Quality Assurance and Partnerships.

The Head of Quality Assurance & Partnerships introduced the report and set out the areas covered over the past year.

There was discussion as to how Dorset Council has influenced and improved attendance of police at meetings by ensuring attendance is requested when it meets criminal threshold.

Faith group referrals were discussed to improve engagement with the service.

To receive the report from the Head of Service, Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service.

The report was introduced by the Executive Director for Childrens who invited the Head of Service at Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service who spoke to the details of the report.

The committee discussed the earliness of intervention around speech and language needs.

The committee sought reassurance around the practicalities of meetings in the home and the ongoing support of children in the same setting after investigation.

To receive the report from the Designated Nurse for Children in Care and Care Experienced Young People.

The report was introduced by the Designated Nurse for Children in Care and Care Experienced Young People.

The system approach to ensure the continuation of all health information through the child’s journey through the system.

The use of population health management to support care leavers and the approach taken working closely with GPs to predict and manage needs was discussed.

Recognition was shared by officers and councillors for health colleagues for their continued support in the provision of health care for the children in care cohort.

To receive the report from the Senior Assurance Officer - Complaints

The report was introduced by the Corporate Director - Care & Protection and the committee noted the contents of the report.

To confirm details and deadlines for papers for the next meeting of the (formal) Corporate Parenting Board which will be held on 28 May 2026. The next informal meeting will be held on 29 January 2026.

The next formal meeting to be held on 28 May 2026 and the next informal meeting to be held on 29 January 2026.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph x of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.  

There are no exempt items scheduled for this meeting.

There was no exempt business.