Items
No. |
Item |
23. |
Minutes PDF 327 KB
To approve as a correct record
the minutes of the Corporate Parenting Committeemeeting held on 1 September 2020.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The minutes of the Corporate
Parenting Committee held on 1 September 2020 was approved as a true
and correct record subject to the last paragraph on page10 being
re-written to the following:
Councillor Liddiard commented on consultations with Councillors
in that he still felt regardless of training most Elected Members
did not understand their role when it came to being a Corporate
Parent. He suggested there needed to be a change of communications
for Elected Members, such as short videos or soundbites which could
be sent either via email or other forms such as text message.
Councillor Redsell agreed that Members needed to be involved more
in training and communications, she continued by congratulating
Officers for how far the Committee had come since it
started.
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24. |
Items of Urgent Business
To receive additional items
that the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter
of urgency, in accordance with Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local
Government Act 1972.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
There were no items of urgent
business.
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25. |
Declaration of Interests
Additional documents:
Minutes:
There were no declarations of
interest.
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26. |
Children's Social Care Performance PDF 861 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Strategic Lead for Business
Intelligence introduced to report to Members and in doing so
advised there was a good overall performance of looked after
children, in addition the after-care service was also
improving.
Members heard there was
continuous focus on encouraging care leavers to keep in touch with
the after-care service and ensuring that these young people were in
education or employment.
It was explained the report highlighted the impact on the Social
Care team since the initial lockdown in March 2020 due to Covid-19.
Members heard there were currently 300 looked after children and
275 were Care Leavers. During discussions Members were advised that
the number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children entering the
Borough had reduced, as preferred routes had been through the
Ports, for example through Dover. Officers explained there was an
expectation for numbers to increase in the coming months due to the
winter weather.
The Strategic Lead for Business Intelligence continued by advising
Members the data within the report took into account a change in
Legislation which placed additional responsibilities upon the Care
Leaving Services under the Children and Social Work Act 2017.
It was mentioned how the Initial Health Assessments (IHA) had been
improving and during September 2020 the number of completed IHA
within 20 working days was now 75% compared to the 50% to the
previous year.
The Chair of the Committee thanked Officers for the report and
sought if there were any questions from Members.
Councillor Chukwu queried as to
the recruitment of Foster Carers. The Strategic Lead for Looked
After Children explained the Foster
Carer Strategy along with the branding for recruiting Foster Carers
was currently going through a refresh, with ideas such as offering
Foster Carers within Thurrock Council tax rebates to encourage
local people to join the Foster Carer team.
It was explained once the new branding had been agreed it would be
reported to the Committee for their comments. Officers further
advised during the pandemic the Council had accepted nine new
Foster Carers with a further thirteen applications to be
reviewed.
Councillor Johnson enquired as to if a Care Leaver did not require
a Personal Adviser, could they change their mind at a later date
and seek support. Officers explained there were tight protocols
regarding Care Leavers and Personal Advisers, however should a
Personal Adviser not be required, it was for the young person to
put this into writing. The Strategic Lead for Looked After Children continued to explain if a young
person wished support for a varied period of time this could be
arranged and discussed within the team.
Councillor Akinbohun thanked
Officers for the report and queried as to the number of complaints
and concerns received within the Social Care Service. The Strategic
Lead for Business Intelligence advised that the complaints data was
held by the Complaints Team, however she could get this information
to the Councillor outside of the meeting.
RESOLVED:
1. That members
note the areas of improvement in Children’s Social Care and
the ...
view the full minutes text for item 26.
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27. |
Children Looked After and Care Leaver Sufficiency Strategy PDF 378 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Strategic Lead of
Commissioning presented the report and in doing so gave an overview
of the Children Looked After and Care Leavers Sufficiency Strategy
which insured the duties of the Council were met.
It was explained the strategy looked at a long-term vision as well
as bringing teams together across the authority with a focus of
development of local placements within the borough.
Members heard the quality of placements strongly related to the
children and young people having stability within care, it was
therefore the aim of the strategy to ensure that across all the
areas of services supporting children, Officers inspired to achieve
the best possible placements and housing for all young
people.
Officers explained they were working with the participation and
engagement team to be able to ensure the views of children and
young people were included within the development of the strategy.
It was therefore decided to develop this as one of the key
priorities of the strategy “open speech to ensure the voice
of children and young people is at the heart of its
planning".
The Strategic Lead of Commissioning commented placements over 30
miles tended to be used when there was specialist nature, as there
were fewer providers available locally to meet specific
needs.
It was explained at the end of March 2020 there were 298 children
looked after within Thurrock this was a reduction from 2018, and
was also lower than the statistical neighbour average. Members
enquired whether the Council were meeting the demands of
accommodation for young people. Officers clarified they were
currently meeting the demands and they were looking for consistency
to be able to offer all young children and young people local
placements.
The Chair of the Committee queried as to whether children within
the local area were able to be supported closer to the borough
Officers explained all placements even those furthest away would
receive the same support and care needed for the young person in
question.
The Assistant Director of Children's Services and Early Help
commented that discussions were had within the Eastern region to
ensure that the best accommodation possible was given for young
people.
RESOLVED:
1. That members support the
delivery of the Children Looked After and Care Leavers Placement
Sufficiency Strategy January 2021 – January 2024.
2. That members note the
information contained in the report and accompanying
strategy.
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28. |
Independent Reviewing Officer - Annual Report PDF 213 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Strategic Lead of Quality,
Assurance and Reviewing presented the annual report to the
Corporate Parenting Committee in order for it to meet statutory
requirement.
Members heard that the appointment of an Independent Reviewing
Officer for a child or young person in the care of the local
authority was a legal requirement under the section 118 of the
adoption act 2002. In addition it was advised during the reporting
period there were five Independent reviewing officers, experienced
social workers and all had the relevant and appropriate skills to
carry out such tasks.
Officers continued to advise Members timeliness of reviews were
being completed on time recording over 90% completed within
timescales. It was then commented that during a recent activity day
the views of children and young people were sought by the
independent reviewing service and of this feedback received 100% of
children or young people wanted their reports shared with them in
advance of their meeting, 91% of children stated they would like to
participate in their own review, and 41% stated they would like
they would like to share their own view. It was also noted that
young people were not worried about the length of time they review
meetings took, however 80% of them stated they would not like their
reviews to take place at school.
The Independent Reviewing Officer continued by informing Members
there had been an increase of 24% to the number of reviews
held.
The Chair thanked Officers for the excellent report, she commented
she was pleased with the increase of completed assessment within
time.
RESOLVED:
For the Corporate Parenting Committee to review and
comment on the IRO Annual report 2019 - 2020 and the
recommendations in thereport.
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29. |
The Annual Report of the Virtual School Headteacher for Children Looked After - Academic Year 2019-2020 PDF 242 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The headteacher of the virtual school for children
looked after presented the report to the committee and in doing so,
explained the virtual school monitored and supported the
educational process and outcomes for children looked after. She
continued to advise the responsibility of the school covered pupils
aged between three and 18 years and also included those who had
left care during an academic school year.
Members heard the cohort numbers of pupils was part of the virtual
school had remained relatively consistent over the academic year,
the headteacher of the virtual schools
continued to explain due to the cancellation of all exams for the
previous year 2020 there was no attainment data to be
reported.
She continued by explaining the progress and outcomes of all pupils
were still monitored very closely for the academic year and support
was still provided for those children transitioning from into years
seven and eleven. Members heard the virtual school had been working
with all schools and colleges to support pupils as they moved into
new educational establishments.
Members were advised as a minimum requirement every looked after
child age between three and eighteen years were required to have a
Personal Educational Plan (PEP) that was reviewed as a minimum of
every six months. It was explained that reviews were to be taken
more frequently and therefore PEP were produced every school term.
It was further explained at the end of the academic year the PEP
compliance rates were 99% with only one pupil who had not had a PEP
within the designated timescales.
The headteacher of the virtual school
mentioned that 39% of the whole cohort had been identified as
either having an educational health care plan or saving additional
help as SEN support, this meant that statistically Thurrocks looked after children had a high level of
need compare to children nationally. She continued to explain when
comparing thoughts are looked after children with all looked after
children nationally in 19–20 they were 59.9% of children with
special educational needs, 27.2% had an EHCP and 28.7% had SEN
support, therefore compared to the looked after children nationally
Thurrock had fewer pupils with SEND.
Members were notified of the number of support measures taken when
the announcement to close schools happened in March 2020, despite
working virtually the service adopted a business approach and made
adaptions when necessary to ensure there is no disruption to the
role and support given to students; such as schools offering online
lessons and learning which had been improved for students going
into the second lockdown.
Councillor Liddiard enquired as to whether Foster Carers were due
to provide Wi-Fi for students to enable them to complete their
online learning. The Strategic Lead for children looked after
explained although they hadn't had any issues with Wi-Fi raised by
Foster Carers they were supporting all looked after children during
lockdown including online learning and any issues should be
reported via Social Workers.
During discussions it was commented that some schools were
...
view the full minutes text for item 29.
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30. |
Joint Housing Protocol for Care Leavers PDF 230 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Strategic Lead for Children
in Need and Child Protection presented the report and in doing so,
explained how the local authority had statutory duties and
responsibilities for young people leaving care in order to support
them into independent living as adults. Members heard that
depending on whether or not a young person was ready to live
independently there were a number of accommodation options
available for them aged 18 or over, which included remaining with
former Foster Carers and the staying put arrangement, moving into
supported housing, moving into other independent living situation
such as shared accommodation with other young people, or where a
young person remained in full-time education or was at university
the children's social care team would support the young person in
order to access adequate funds to secure accommodation suitable for
their needs during term time and would in addition support them to
access accommodation during school holidays.
The Committee heard that under the protocol there were also a
number of accommodations highlighted that were not suitable for
independent living this included bed and breakfasts.
The Strategic Lead continued to notify Members Officers were
working with Housing colleagues and using the Headstart fund in order to support young people to
become independent young adults after leaving care. Officers
highlighted the importance of putting the needs of the young person
first so that they could be supported through the transition into
independent living.
Councillor Rigby, Chair of the Committee thanked Officers for the
report she continued by seeking if a young person was to stay with
the Foster Carer whether the support package stayed with them post
18 years old. The Strategic Lead for Children in Need and Child
Protection if a young person stayed in full-time education they
would still receive the full rate however the rates adjusted post
18 and if possible the young person was asked to come to contribute
to this in some way.
During discussions the Strategic Lead explained that workshops were
also available for young people to offer support as thinking about
bills and managing tenancies. The representative from Thurrock Open
Door advised Open Door ran similar workshops and should any young
person wish to attend they could notify the council who could refer
them on to her for further advice.
RESOLVED:
1.
For the Committee to note the statutory duties of
the Local Authority to support young people in obtaining suitable
accommodation and how we plan to meet these duties.
2.
For the Committee to have oversight of the joint protocols and be
involved in the ongoing review of delivery across Children’s
Services and Housing Services.
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31. |
After Care Report PDF 690 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Strategic Lead for Children
Looked After presented the report to Members which provided them
with an update regarding the service provision for Thurrock
after-care young adults who had previously been in the local
authorities care. She continued to advise Members the after-care
service were transferred to Children Social Care in July
2019.
It was explained that following the OFSTED inspection of Children's
Services in November 2020 which graded the children services as
good, OFSTED noted there was a need to ensure better partnership
with Adult Social Care colleagues to support the transition
arrangements for care leavers and particularly for those young
people with additional needs.
Members heard that as Corporate Parents the Council were
aspirational for their children and young people in care supporting
them to achieve in all areas of their life and insuring a smooth
transition into adulthood. The Council was committed to listening
to children and young people and involving them in decision-making
and service development.
The Strategic Lead the Children Looked After explained that
unaccompanied asylum seeking children had not received high numbers
as it seemed the preferred route was through the port at Dover,
however this could change due to the winter weather in future
months. It was mentioned the Council were reviewing the needs of
young people using the after-care service to ensure they had the
opportunities necessary for ongoing education training and
employment.
The data received for November
2020 showed the total number of care leavers up to the age of 25
not in employment education or training was 49.8% with no
significant change being seen in the last three months. Members
heard that Thurrock offered access to the Princes Trust program
which enabled young people to build their confidence and access to
opportunities such as apprenticeships so they could engage within
local communities.
Officers continued to advised
Members of the after-care newsletter which updated young people on
such topics as online courses, and gave them the links to be able
to signup for such events. In addition
the newsletter updated young people on new interesting things
happening such as a new WhatsApp group exclusively for care leavers
and monthly meetings which were currently being held on Zoom. The
newsletter also informed young people on the Inspire Youth Hub and
gave details on how to contact colleagues. In addition there were
weekly sessions covering topics such as interview skills, writing
CVs and applying for college and university places.
Officers explained they were trying to create more opportunities
for care leavers to be able to support them transitioning into
independent young adults.
The Chair of the Committee commented the difficulty of offering
such support such as face-to-face meetings during COVID-19 and
queried if care leavers were attending training due to having no
employment would they in addition have to find employment to seek
support.
The Strategic Lead for Children Looked After explained that Care
Leavers post 18 did not have to find employment in addition to
training, she further commented, Officers had a ...
view
the full minutes text for item 31.
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32. |
Corporate Parenting Committee Work Programme 2020/2021 PDF 337 KB
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The
Committee discussed the work programme, and agreed to a number of
reports being included on the Work Programme including:
·
Support provided to Care Leavers and Children Looked
After during COVID19
·
Support provided to Foster Carers during
COVID19
·
Support offered by the virtual School during COVID
19
RESOLVED:
That the
Corporate Parenting Committee agreed for the Work
Programme
to be updated and include the reports discussed throughout the
meeting.
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