Agenda and minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests,

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, Members were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in relation to the business on the agenda or other general interests they might have had within the remit of the Board. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2015.

Resolved: That the minutes of the last meeting of the Corporate Parenting  Board held on Monday 8 December 2015 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Board’s remit can do so. The deadline for registering is 5pm the working day before the meeting, in this case 5pm on Friday 12 February 2016.

Filming or Recording Meetings

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officers (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at

https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/6453/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_council_meetingspdf

It was reported that there were no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Board Members will be asked to consider and endorse the draft Looked After Children’s Strategy 2016-2020. They will also meet an independent advisor and have the opportunity to discuss arrangements for the future provision of independent professional advice to the Board.

The Board were asked to endorse the draft Looked After Children’s Strategy 2016-2020 and consider the option of receiving independent professional advice to support the Board.

Officers tabled the draft strategy, which has been attached to the agenda, and confirmed this was a final opportunity for the Board to make comments commencing it being presented at Full Council.

Officers highlighted the minor amendments that had been made and discussed the new strategic themes. They stated that the new strategy was considerably broader in scope then its predecessor and introducing the new themes allowed officers to ensure every child and young person living in York received the best possible care and support. 

They also raised the challenges they faced when naming a theme ‘normality’ but confirmed the new strategy would strengthen the role of foster carers and reduce children and young people’s experience of bureaucracy in relation to their everyday lives.   Members agreed that some foster carers should be given the opportunity to strengthen their parenting skills, to allow them to make more decisions for the young people they care for, but questioned the use of the word ‘professionalise’.

Members also noted how essential it was that all Councillors understood their corporate parenting role and discussed ways to raise awareness.  It was suggested that officers could arrange for all elected Members to:

·        sign a copy of York’s Guarantee to children and young people in care.

·        attend a corporate parenting safeguarding training session.

·        receive further information on the new strategy at a pre Council seminar.

·        consider the views from a young person, who had experienced being in care.

·        periodically receive IT pop up questions, that would relate to their corporate parenting role.

·        receive some case studies.

Members discussed the role and operation model for the Corporate Parenting Board and considered the views from officers regarding utilising an independent advisor. Members agreed the advisor could help develop:

·        a revised Terms of Reference (TOR),

·        a new 2016/17 work plan,

·        a framework for the provision of bi annual finance and performance reports and

·        creative ways to engage with young people.

It was suggested that work should begin on developing the Boards TOR and a work plan for 2016/17.  The Board agreed that Councillors Runciman, Brooks and Funnell would collaborate with the independent advisor to start the process and distribute copies around the Board for comments.

Resolved:

i)                     That the draft Looked After Children’s Strategy 2016-    2020 be endorsed.

ii)                That an independent professional adviser be utilised.

iii)                  That a draft work plan and a Terms of Reference be prepared by the independent advisor, Councillors Brooks, Runciman and Funnell and distributed around the Board for comments, ready to be approved at the next meeting.

iv)                 That arrangements be established for the presentation of the new strategy to Full Council.

v)                   That the suggested actions to engage all Councillors as Corporate Parents be coordinated.

Reason: In order to strengthen corporate parenting arrangements in the city.

To consider the Board’s work plan for future meetings.

Members considered the committee’s work plan for the 2016-17 municipal year.

Resolved:     That a draft work plan be prepared by the independent advisor, Councillors Brooks, Runciman and Funnell and distributed for approval at the next meeting.

Reason:     To consider a work plan for future meetings.