Agenda and minutes

The Chairman to open the meeting and welcome those present.

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed those present.

To confirm the minutes of the formal meeting held on Thursday 25^th May.

The minutes of the meeting held on? 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 megan.r.rochester@dorsetcc.gov.uk by 8.30am on Monday 20^th November 2023.    

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.

Theresa Leavy (Executive Director for people-children) to set the scene of the meeting.

Paul Dempsey, Corporate Director for Care and Protection, set the scene for the meeting and informed the board that the number of children in care had been changing and updated members on the number of asylum-seeking young people in Dorset. He also discussed national impacts for children in care and informed members of the different strategies which had been implemented to support children in care at the earliest stages. The Corporate Director for Care and Protection also updated the board on the increase of 16- and 17-year-olds and the number of care leavers.

To receive a report from Paul Dempsey (Corporate Director- Care and Protection).

Members were introduced to the Corporate Parenting Dataset and were given an update on the number of children in care and the number of asylum-seeking children. Members also received an overview on strengths and difficulties questionnaires as well as attendance figures and care leavers accommodation. Members were also informed that officers were continuing to work hard to ensure children were placed within their local communities and noted that more needed to be done to complete health assessments on time. It was also highlighted the increase in the number of children in education and an increase in children being adopted. It was noted that the number of children being adopted had increased.

Members raised the following questions and statements:

·       Questions regarding whether staffing was adequate.

·       Clarification regarding placement types.

·       Number of unaccompanied children being placed locally in Dorset.

·       Percentage of children in 3 or more placements per year.

·       Questions regarding children in bed and breakfast accommodation.

·       What is being done to support and prepare care leavers for employment opportunities.

·       Requested further updates on visits and location of asylum seekers within the UK.

·       Praised the officer’s report and were pleased to see an improvement with the number of looked after children.

·       The completed Health Assessments was an area of concern.

The Corporate Parenting Board Dataset was received and noted.

Sunita Khattra-Hall (Interim Head of Quality Assurance and Partnerships) to report.

Sunita Khattra-Hall, Interim Head of Quality Assurance and Partnerships, delivered the independent reviewing officer’s annual report. She informed members that over 2022-23 there had been growth within the team which showed a lot of progress and better relationships between IRO and children in care. The board was informed that they had been maintaining high standards for personal educational plans and had a strong focus on advocacy. It was highlighted that more work needed to be done to complete initial health assessments. In addition to this, other key areas to focus on included improving IRO footprints, quality assurance to ensure delivery of care planning and improving knowledge to help support asylum seeking children.

Members raised the following questions and statements:

·       Thanked the officers for the comprehensive report and noted the positive feedback and areas of improvement. 

·       Monitoring of IRO caseloads and recruitment.

·       Questions regarding improvement plans evidence.

·       Clarification of escalation procedures.

The Independent reviewing officers annual report was received and the areas for improvement were noted, and members looked forward to tracking these changes.

To receive a report from Kelvin Connelly (Safeguarding Education Service Manager).

Members were introduced to the annual LADO report. There had been a significant increase in demand for LADO, both locally and nationally. The board were informed that there had been an increased capacity to meet demand and updated the board on the number of referrals from education. Areas of growth were also discussed as well as the number of foster carer referrals and the management of them. Officers praised the Dorset foster carer’s and commended all the work that they continue to do. Members were informed that improvements were being made to improve timescales for investigations as safely as possible.

Members raised the following questions and statements:

·       Concerns regarding timescales. 

·       Clarification regarding the use of independent schools.

·       Questions regarding the number of referrals and severity of them.

·       Concerns regarding the length of the process. Members questioned the potential to mitigate it.

The Annual LADO report was received and noted.

Jo Smark-Richards (Service manager for Virtual School) to present the report to committee.

Members were introduced to the annual report of the virtual school. Congratulations were given to children in care as officers praised their significant achievements. The board was informed that there had been a reduction in reduced timetables, contributing to children having their full entitlement to education. In addition to this, members were also updated on the first designated teacher conference which aimed to support teachers. Members were also updated on the quality of personal education plans and were pleased that welcome packs for unaccompanied children had been adopted by others in the country. Residential trips and higher education success was also discussed.

It was agreed that the Annual report of the virtual school would be circulated later, and any questions or comments would be directed to the officers.

Claire Denby (NYAS) to report.

Tina Ironside, Strategic Commissioner, set out the report which represented the views of children to ensure their voices were heard. Members were updated on the number of referrals which had resulted in advocacy being delivered. The board were informed of the work that independent visitors had done to provide consistent relationships for children in care. The Strategic Commissioner also informed members of new procedures which had been implemented and the revised advocacy guidance and standards that the Department for Education are consultation on. She also highlighted to members the importance of advocates and independent visitors and explained how they offered support to those who needed it most.

Members raised the following questions and statements:

·       Members praised the report and were pleased with the figures and feedback from Independent Visitors.

·       Requested the number of Independent Visitor volunteers increases so more C&YP could benefit from this service.

·       Collaboration and work with gypsy traveller children.

To receive a report from David Webb (Head of Service for Combined Youth and Justice Services).

David Webb, Manager of Youth Justice, spoke of preventing children from entering the justice system and reducing the risk of further offending. He also discussed concerns regarding the welfare of children whilst in custody and continuing offences. The Manager of Youth Justice also highlighted custodial sentencing and the safety of children in custody. He was mindful that continuity within the services was essential to keep the number of children in custody low.

Members raised the following questions and statements:

·       Members praised the officer’s report.

·       Questions regarding social workers involvement with children in custody. 

The Children in care at risk of offending and custody report was received and noted.

Antony Bygrave (Assurance Complaints Manager) to report.

Antony Bygrave, Assurance Complaints Manager, addressed the committee. Members were updated on the number of complaints received and officers were pleased that it was a low number. The Assurance Complaints Manager was really assured with the statistics and quality surveys.

Members raised the following questions and statements:

·       Responsibility of complaints received at residential homes.

·       Clarification of complaint resolutions.

·       Number of SEN complaints 

The Complaints and representation report was received and noted.

Louise Harris-Smith (Designated Nurse for Children in Care and Care Experienced Young People) to report to committee.

Louise Harris-Smith, Designated Nurse for Children in Care and Care Experienced Young People, presented the report. Members were updated on the number of children in care, children placed from other local authorities and the number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in Dorset. Health visitor performance assessments and delays due to availability were also highlighted. Louise Harris-Smith also informed members of regular performance meetings to ensure continuity. Areas of improvement were also included within the report, it was recognised that dental care was a priority and work was being implemented to ensure children in care were being prioritised. The importance of pregnancy pathways and health passport were also discussed.

Members raised the following questions and statements:

·       Thanked the officers for their report.

·       Concerns regarding NHS dental visits.

·       Pathways for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

·       Comments regarding other authorities’ children in care.

·       Members discussed the importance of dental education.

·       Questions regarding private dental accessibility.

·       Members noted increasing problems with children’s mental health and questioned the support being given to them.

The health of looked after children and emotional wellbeing of looked after children report was received and noted.

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 consider passing the following recommendation:  

Recommendation  

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the business specified in item(s) No 1 because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph(s) 1,2 of Part 1 of schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.  

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered. (Any live streaming will end at this juncture).  

Reason for taking the item in private.

Paragraph 1 - Information relating to any individual.  

Paragraph 2 - Information which is likely to reveal identity of an individual.  

Decision

That the press and the public be excluded for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 1 and 2 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Reason for taking this item in private.

Paragraph 1 - Information relating to any individual.

Paragraph 2 - Information which is likely to reveal identity of an individual.

The live streaming was concluded at this juncture.

Daun Tattersall (Service Manager – Residential CWAD) to report.

Daun Tattersall, Service Manager- residential CWAD, presented the exempt report to members.

The Cherries OFSTED report was received and noted.

To confirm details and deadlines for papers for the next meeting of the (formal) Corporate Parenting Board which will be held on Thursday 25^th November 2024.

It was confirmed that the date of the next formal Corporate Parenting Board meeting would be held on Thursday 25^th April 2024 and the next informal meeting would be held on Thursday 25^th January 2024.