Agenda and minutes
Venue: Committee Room 1, Civic Offices, New Road, Grays, Essex, RM17 6SL.
Contact: Kenna Victoria Healey, Senior Democratic Services Officer Email: Direct.Democracy@thurrock.gov.uk
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To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Corporate Parenting Committeemeeting held on 7 January 2020.
Minutes: The minutes of the Corporate Parenting Committee held on 7 January 2020 were approved as a correct record. |
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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. Minutes: There were no items of urgent business. |
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Declaration of Interests Minutes: There were no declarations of interests. |
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Children's Social Care Performance PDF 639 KB Minutes: The Corporate
Director for Children’s Services presented the report and in
doing so, explained that it provided a summary of
Children’s Social Care performance. She explained it
described current activity levels and performance of
Children’s social care services in responding to the needs of
vulnerable children. The Corporate Director for Children’s
Services highlighted that timelines for assessments were now good,
although there was room for improvement. She stated that in Quarter
3 the number of children with Child Protection Plans had increased
from 142 to 170, but this was still lower than the national average
and statistically similar local authorities. She also highlighted
that the Looked After Children population had remained stable, and
was in line with other similar local authorities, and this was due
to an increased focus on permanence planning to ensure decreased
waiting times.
RESOLVED:
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Additional documents: Minutes: The Corporate Director of Children’s Services introduced the item to the Committee explaining the Local Government Association (LGA) had produced a resource pack on ‘Support for Care Leavers’ for Members in their Corporate Parenting role.
She continued to advise the resource pack set out an introduction for Members about care leavers and statutory responsibilities for Council’s and Members. It was highlighted within the resource pack was a number of sessions that would be of use to Members such as:
· Key Lines of Enquiry for all Councillors, which set out the issues that Members would need to consider when having oversight of services for Care Leavers. · Case studies from Local Authorities who have tried different ways of working with their care leavers.
Members
heard how the resource pack was deemed a
helpful tool for
Members in their Corporate Parenting role, to consider what areas
of practice relating to care leavers they wish to scrutinise. |
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Update on Ofsted Recommendation – Timeliness of Initial Health Assessments PDF 526 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Strategic Lead for Looked After Children addressed Members notifying them the report set out the actions taken by Children’s Social Care and Health colleagues to address the timeliness of Initial Health Assessments for Children who are Looked After.
She continued by explaining when a child or young person came into care, they would have an Initial Health Assessment (IHA). This was a statutory health assessment; the assessment is to be completed within 28 days of coming into care. A paediatrician or an appropriately trained medical practitioner completes the assessment.
It was further explained the
Initial Health Assessment identified existing health problems and
deficits in previous healthcare and provides a baseline for
managing the child’s future health needs. The Strategic Lead
for Looked After Children highlighted point 3.12 of the report and
stated in April 2019 only 25% if IHAs were completed on time, but
this had increased to 71% in December 2019, and increased again to
81.5% in January 2020. She stated that although there were still
some difficulties, processes were now in place and regular meetings
were being held between the social care team and healthcare
colleagues. |
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Corporate Parenting Committee Work Programme 2019/2020 PDF 256 KB Minutes: The Committee discussed the work programme ahead of the new municipal year. Members agreed to a number of reports being included on the Work Programme. The Chair thanked the Committee Members for all their hard work throughout the year, and wished luck to those Members standing for re-election. She also congratulated the next Corporate Director of Children’s Services on her appointment.
RESOLVED:
That the Corporate Parenting Committee agreed for the following reports to be included on the Work Programme for 2020/2021
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