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 or prejudicial interests they might have in relation to the business on the agenda or any other general interests they might have within the remit of the Board. None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2017.

Resolved: That the minutes of the last meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board held on 26 June 2017 be approved and then 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 on Friday 22 September 2017.

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 Officer (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

http://www.york.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809.pdf

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the council’s Public Participation Scheme. 

The 2016-17 Annual Advocacy Report provides a review of the statistics on the demographic of young people who have requested advocacy, details of advocacy requests / common themes and reviews the outcomes of the service.

Board Members considered the 2016-17 Annual Advocacy Report that provided them with a review of the statistics on the demographic of young people who had requested advocacy, details on advocacy requests/common themes and outcomes of the service.

The Children’s Rights Manager, Assistant Director of Children’s Services and a representative from York’s Children in Care Council Show Me That I Matter (SMTIM) were in attendance to present the report and they explained the role of an advocate and how the service provided individuals with support to help them express their own views, have their voice heard, access information and services and understand their rights and entitlements. 

Members noted that every Local Authority was required to provide advocacy services for looked after children and young people and also children and young people who wanted to make a complaint.

Officers explained how referrals were received, how the service could be accessed and how all professionals working with children and young people in care were provided with information to ensure they had a clear understanding of the service.

Officers highlighted each area of the report and responded to Members questions where it was acknowledged that referrals had increased due to more awareness around the service and it was confirmed that most literature handed to a child or young person in care had been examined by SMTIM.

Discussions took place around the decrease in feedback forms received from a child or young person who had accessed advocacy and it was noted that a new approach to engage more responses was required and would be considered by SMTIM.

Members thanked officers for their update and requested further statistical breakdowns be received in any future reports.¹

The Board welcomed the feedback received from SMTIM and thanked the representative for attending the meeting.

Resolved: That the 2016-17 Annual Advocacy Report be noted.

Reason: In order that Members were briefed on the advocacy casework that was carried out with children and young people.

This report details the issues identified by the Children in Care Council (CiCC), how these issues are being addressed and what issues are still to be taken forward. The report also details professionals and partner agencies that met with the CiCC, the outcomes of these discussions and different projects that the CiCC is involved in.

Board Members considered a report that detailed the issues identified by the Children in Care Council (CiCC), how these issues were being addressed and what issues were still to be taken forward. The report also detailed professionals and partner agencies that met with the CiCC, the outcomes of these discussions and different projects that the CiCC were involved in.

The Children’s Rights Manager, Assistant Director of Children’s Services and a representative from York’s Children in Care Council Show Me That I Matter (SMTIM) were in attendance to present the report and they explained that monthly panel meetings were held for young people to raise and discuss issues that were important to them, with the aim of shaping and improving services for children and young people in care in York.

Officers highlighted each area of the report and responded to Members questions where it was acknowledged that SMTIM had been involved in various meetings, conferences and award ceremonies and were working on various projects, including:

·        Reviewing health assessments and developing an information leaflet for children and young people in care.

·        Raising mental health awareness and highlighting the services and support that was available to children and young people in care.

The Board thanked officers and SMTIM for their exceptional report and agreed SMTIM should be extremely proud of their achievements in the last twelve months.

Board Members who attended SMTIM confirmed how the individuals were inspirational and were dedicated to improving services for looked after children and young people in York.

Resolved: That the Show Me That I Matter Annual Report 2016-17 be noted.

Reason: In order that Members were briefed on the work of the Children in Care Council.

The U Matter Survey 2017 details the consultation findings from children and young people looked after by the City of York Council.  

Members considered a report that presented the U Matter Survey 2017, which detailed the consultation findings from children and young people looked after by the City of York Council.

The Children’s Rights Manager, Assistant Director of Children’s Services and a representative from York’s Children in Care Council Show Me That I Matter (SMTIM) were in attendance to present the report and they explained that the survey was a chance for children and young people in care to feedback their experiences of being looked after.

Officers highlighted each area of the report and responded to Members questions where it was acknowledged that  77 children and young people aged between 11-21 took part in the survey and that the number of young people who knew how to contact their social worker remained high.

The Board questioned the representative from SMTIM and noted her experiences and thanked officers for the positive responses highlighted in the report.  They also agreed consideration should be given to developing a new approach to encourage more children and young people to complete future surveys and  that more awareness was required around managing money for care leavers.

Members thanked officers for their update and requested further statistical breakdowns be received in any future reports.¹

The Board showed their appreciation to SMTIM and asked the representative to feed back their positive comments.

Resolved: That the U Mater Survey 2017 be noted

Reason: In order that Members were briefed on the 2017 U Matter findings.

This item presents an update with regards to a development review of Placement Services.

Any Board Member whose area of interest relates to the issues raised in this report will have the opportunity to give an update under this item.

Members considered a report that presented an update with regards to a development review of placement services.

The Head of Children’s Social Work Services was in attendance to present the report and she explained how the review would help ensure that City of York Council had sustainable skilled foster placements to allow a child, if in their best interest, to be looked after in York.

Members noted that the review would consider: 

·        advertising and recruitment

·        the financial remuneration structure

·        support to fostering households

·        developing pathways for foster carers

·        recognising long service and celebrate properly the contribution of those fostering households that retire or resign.

Discussions took place around expanding York’s current foster carer community and the challenges faced, which included the current remuneration structure.

Officers confirmed the review would include consultations with foster carers, Show Me That I Matter, York Association Foster Carers (YAFC) and other Local Authorities and an update would be provided at a future Corporate Parenting Board.

Members thanked officers for their report and agreed the provision needed to be developed to make it an attractive offer for any potential new foster carers.

Resolved: That the presentation of progress towards the full compliance, with the guidance set out in the report, be considered.

Reason: In order that officers can clarify any issues arising and so that Members can comment on progress.

To consider the Board’s draft  work plan for 2017-18 and to receive any updates Members may wish to give on their agreed areas of interest relating to the work of the Board.

A copy of the completed 2016-17 work plan is attached for information.

Members considered the Boards work plan for 2017/18 municipal year and noted that the NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group’s Action Plan was omitted off the 25 September 2017 agenda.

Following discussion it was:

Resolved:

i)             That the work plan be noted

ii)            That the NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning group Action Plan be considered at the relevant Corporate Parenting Board.