Agenda and minutes

County Councillor Clarke

To note who is attending and any apologies for absence.

All were welcomed to the meeting and apologies were received from County Councillor Julie Gibson, Brendan Lee, Moya McKinney and Julie Dawson.

It was noted that Jenny Donnelly was attending on behalf of Rebecca McGeown, Lancashire 0-19, Health Care Resourcing Group (HCRG).

The Board were informed that County Councillor Howard Hartley had been appointed as Deputy Chair on the Board, replacing County Councillor Ash Sutcliffe.  Thanks were noted to CC Sutcliffe for his commitment to the Board throughout his time as Deputy Chair.

The Board were informed of the passing of a former Care Leaver and member of the Corporate Parenting Board Marc Bentley.

The Board also observed a minute's silence in memory of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

County Councillor Clarke

To agree for accuracy the notes of the meeting and receive any matters arising.

Resolved:  That the minutes were agreed as an accurate record and there were no matters arising from them.

Andreas Feldhaar, Permanence Service, LCC

To receive a progress update from the four Corporate Parenting Board Priority Groups since the last Board meeting.

Andreas Feldhaar, Permanence Service, Lancashire County Council provided the Board with an update which included the Corporate Parenting Strategy 2022-2026 and the Service Plan, which had been circulated with the agenda to members, prior to the meeting.

The Board were reminded that the four priorities governed the improvement outcomes for Lancashire's children and young people in care and care leavers.  The eight objectives and four priorities also informed the new Corporate Parenting Strategy 2022-2026 and the Permanence Service Plan 2022-2026.  The Strategy is now live and can be accessed via the following link https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/council/strategies-policies-plans/children-education-and-families/corporate-parenting-strategy/.

The Board noted that in terms of the four priorities a detailed plan has been developed to look at each of the priority areas and how they are progressing and outlined were some key deliverables that are currently being worked on or have been delivered:

Achieving Permanence

·  Care Leaver Covenant - this work has progressed, and a report has been presented to the Education and Children's Social Care Senior Management Team and the Executive Director for Education and Children's Services and the next step is to embed the Covenant within the Council.  A further update will be reported to the Board when available.

·  Revised Life Story work that previously came to the Board has now been completely rolled out.

·  Care Leavers Week will take place in October and an update will be given later in the meeting.

·  PROUD Awards are also going to take place again in 2023 and a further update will be given later in the meeting.

Improving sufficiency to provide the right home at the right place

·  Lasting Homes Process and Panels have now been embedded in practice.

·  National House project in Preston has seen its first young people join the project.  It is a long-term project, and each year there will be another group of young people joining.

·  Joint Housing Protocol for Care Leavers was launched in May.

·  There will be Lasting Homes Panels for Leaving Care with a slightly different focus and from age 16 years, will embark on the housing pathway for young people and will include housing partners.  They are not completely rolled out yet across the County, however, this work is in progress.

·  The Staying Put Policy is also going to be revised as there have been changes in terms of the fostering allowances and how fostering operates, therefore it is essential that the policy is aligned to these changes.

·  The National Guidance for Unregulated Placements and Supported Accommodation for 16 to 18 year olds needs to be presented at a future Board meeting as provisions could impact on what is available for 16 to 18 year olds. Ongoing work in terms of the Covenant would hopefully improve the housing provisions for young people in Lancashire.

Improving social, physical, emotional and mental health support and outcomes

·  A scoping exercise had previously been carried out with leisure centres in Lancashire for the Local Offer and it was noted that this is going to be reviewed again and also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Young People from LINX (Lancashire's Children in Care Council), April Rankin and Adam Riley, Participation Team, Child and Family Wellbeing Service, LCC

To receive an update on the Young People's Takeover Day on 26 July 2022 and the outcomes from that meeting.

Young people from LINX (Lancashire Children in Care Council), April Rankin and Adam Riley, Participation Team, Child and Family Wellbeing Service, Lancashire County Council gave a presentation on the Corporate Parenting Board Youth Takeover Day which was held on 26 July 2022 at Hothersall Lodge.

The Board noted that young people had spent the morning session doing different activities which they reported had built their confidence and enabled familiarisation to the environment before members of the Board joined them for the afternoon session.

A short video was shown from the day, which included quotes from young people and carers about how they found the session which included:

·  It was a really good day; I had a nice time talking to all the different people that were there and I got a few helpful tips and suggestions too.

·  The day was great I loved meeting other young people and different professionals like Claire from education and I liked to learn what other professionals do.  Didn't like waking up early though haha.

·  I had so much fun and met lots of nice people and I can't wait do it again.  I especially loved the zip wire and the egg and tuna butties".

·  I would say he was buzzing all the way home, he had so much fun so thank you.

Other feedback received on the day from members of the Board including young people was:

·  Lovely to meet so many enthusiastic children and young people.

·  Would like to see more young people attending.

·  Having a focus on what needed to be discussed.  What needs to be changed and why?

·  Good to see our partners attending today.

·  Learnt about young people's interests.

·  The professionals have been very helpful, and I have gained something.

·  Teamwork is really important.

·  Learned to communicate with new people.

·  I feel happy that our younger children have been supported to attend today.

·  Met people and other professionals that I have only met online.

·  I have learnt to work well in a team and communicate with others.

·  Nostalgic for being a full-time youth worker.

·  Get more help with dentists.  Find out about apprenticeship opportunities.

The young people also reported that for future sessions, they would like to spend a full day with professionals, so they can chat more and build up relationships.

Thanks was given to members who had provided information, as requested at the last Board meeting held on 11 May 2022, where they had been asked to find a minimum of five services in their local area that support children and young people.  This information will now be collated to provide an informative leaflet which can be shared with other young people in care, so they can see what is available in their area or if they move to other areas.

Following discussions with Health professionals on the day, young people were keen to have a Health Takeover Day for young people in care and care leavers which would be a range of activities including:

·  What roles  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Andreas Feldhaar, Permanence Service, LCC

To discuss the Internal Audit Review of Lancashire's Corporate Parenting Board.

Andreas Feldhaar, Permanence Service, Lancashire County Council provided feedback on the recent Internal Audit Review that had taken place in March 2022 of the Corporate Parenting Board.

The Board noted that the last time an Internal Audit Review had been carried out, was in 2019.  The findings from 2022 was that the Board had improved, and the overall assurance rating was "Substantial" which was the best outcome for the Board.

The report had been circulated with members of the Board prior to the meeting which included further information on:

·  The Executive Summary

·  Background and Scope

·  Summary of Audit Findings

·  Action Plan

·  Rating Definitions

Resolved:  That the Board noted the Internal Audit Review and the recommendations and agreed to take them forward.

Audrey Swann, Education Improvement Service, LCC

To receive an update from the Head of the Virtual school on the Education, Employment and Training Strategy and wider attainment for Lancashire's children looked after of all ages.

Audrey Swann, Education Improvement Service, Lancashire County Council provided the Board with an update on education for Lancashire children in care and care leavers.  The Board received information that had been collated over a 12-month period, following two years where very little statutory data had been produced due to the pandemic, with the exception of GCSEs.

A presentation was given to the Board and is appended to these minutes.  Further detailed comparator attainment information can be found in the presentation for:

Early Years (including Reception)

This figure fell from 2018-19 46.7% to 39.6% in 2021-22.  It was noted that this was reflected nationally and is due to the impact of the pandemic.  Work is ongoing within this age group to see what else can be done to improve the good level of development outcomes.  There is a small increase in pupil premium that is due to be provided for children in nurseries, however, it is a very small amount of £400 over a year, compared to children in Reception and above who receive a higher amount.  There is an area of work happening with Children's Social Care, which is around increasing the number of looked after children who are attending nursery on a regular basis which also helps them to be better prepared when starting school.  There is also a named member of the team that specifically works and leads on early years who is working closely with providers and carers in terms of training.

Primary: Key Stage 1

One of the first assessments that is carried out is the Phonics Test which is at the end of Year 1.  Figures for 2021-22 had increased to 70.7% from 57.4% in 2020-2021 however there is still a gap between children looked after and those who are not looked after, however, despite the pandemic, those figures have increased.

At the end of Key Stage 1, reading, writing and maths combined for 2021-2022 was 22.4% which was a decrease from 2018-19 where it was 39.2% where the measure is "working at expected level".

A home reading scheme is provided for Key Stages 1 and 2 children looked after and there is also a tutorial on how to help children read at home and this will be provided to each carer and parent and can be found on the Virtual School website The Virtual School - Lancashire County Council.  A pilot will commence shortly with parents and carers face to face, to do some work on how to develop their young person in developing reading and writing skills. 

The Board noted that all early year's children up to five years of age receive a free book every month as part of the Dolly Parton Scheme that Lancashire County Council has signed up to.

Primary: Key Stage 2

The Board noted that data for Key Stage 2 had also improved for reading (2018-19 - 43% compared to 2021-22 – 62.8%) and writing (2018-19 45.6% compared to 2021-22 – 50.6%).  Maths has shown a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Amanda Barbour, Young People from LINX (Lancashire's Children in Care Council) and April Rankin, Participation Team, Child and Family Wellbeing Service, LCC

For the Board to approve names for Lancashire's new Care Homes for children and young people.

Young people from LINX (Lancashire's Children in Care Council) had been requested by the Fostering, Adoption and Residential Service, Lancashire County Council, to decide on names for five new children and young people's care homes across Lancashire.  The Board noted that it is important that young people have a say as this may be their home at some point, and to ensure that everyone has a voice and that their views are heard when looking at naming the homes.  Thanks was given to the young people for their contributions on this piece of work.

The young people from LINX and the Care Leavers Forum in Lancashire had chosen various names which were presented to the Board (presentation attached), along with a brief description of the type of home it would be, in which area of Lancashire and the reasoning behind as to how the young people had decided on the various names.

Following the vote, the Board agreed that the top five names were as follows:

i)  Sunflower

ii)  Red Rose

iii)  Sunshine

iv)  Lavender

v)  Oak

Young people would now go back to their participation groups and choose the name endings ie home, house, lodge or manor and allocate them to one of the five homes and then report back to the Adoption, Fostering and Residential Service on their choices.

Resolved:  That the Corporate Parenting Board agreed on names for five new young people's care homes in Lancashire, following a selection of names provided by young people.

Jane Hylton, Aaron Walmsley-Fishwick, Ralph Rushworth, Permanence Service, LCC

To update the Board on plans for the Care Leavers week in October 2023.

Jane Hylton and Aaron Walmsley-Fishwick, Permanence Service, Lancashire County Council gave a presentation on the National Care Leavers Week 2022 (as attached).

The Board were informed that this will take place w/c 24 October 2022 and end with celebration events on 27-28 October 2022 and a programme of events was outlined.

The Board were asked for support/donations for gifts and prizes for the event on 27 October 2022 and to contact Jane Hylton, email jane.hylton@lancashire.gov.uk by 15 October 2022 regarding this.

Resolved:  That the Board noted the request and the programme of events for the National Care Leavers Week 2022.

Janice Laing, Permanence Service, LCC

To receive information on the PROUD Awards 2023.

Janice Laing, Permanence Service, Lancashire County Council informed the Board that the PROUD Celebration Event for all Looked After Children and Care Experienced young people would be held on the evening of 30 March 2023 at Burnley Football Club.  This will be the first time the event has taken place since 2019 due to the pandemic.

A brief presentation was given (as attached) and the Board informed that a Task and Finish Group had been convened to plan the event.

The Board noted that nominations would commence before Christmas and that the categories would be:

Positive Choices and Achievements

Responding to the Needs of Others

Outstanding Service to the Community

UR Talented

Danny Collins Inspiration Award

Once further information was available, this would be shared with the Board for promotion.

Again, raffle donations will be gratefully received for the evening and to contact Janice Laing, email Janice.laing@lancashire.gov.uk if any further information is required.

Resolved:  That the Board noted the event date, request for raffle donations and the request to promote the event and encourage nominations.

Andreas Feldhaar, Permanence Service, LCC

To discuss future agenda items including a possible Health Takeover Day.

Andreas Feldhaar, Permanence Service, Lancashire County Council presented the attached presentation which detailed future potential agenda items (as well as the standing items), that would appear on agendas at future Board meetings.

Two areas that were highlighted as a priority for the next meeting was Performance Data which the Board had not received since March 2021 and had been addressed in the Internal Audit Review and a Health Take-Over which includes the provisions and changes in health and this follows on from the young people's take-over meeting in July where young people asked about what health services are available to young people in the community and requested that they come to a future meeting to present more detailed information on this.

Amanda Barbour, Fostering, Adoption and Residential Services, Lancashire County Council informed the Board that it was a requirement that the Adoption and Fostering Service present their Annual Reports to the Board and that this should be factored in as a statutory requirement.  As the reports are both significantly long, the proposal to the Board was that an Executive Summary Report is produced for both Annual Reports and will also contain a link to the full reports, along with a presentation to ensure the item is engaging for young people.

Resolved:  That the Corporate Parenting Board:

i)  Agreed to add the Annual Reports for Fostering and Adoption to be added to the forward plan.

ii)  Agreed to receive an Executive Summary with a link to the detailed reports for both the Fostering and Adoption Annual Reports.

iii)  Agreed the priorities for the next meeting as Performance Data and Health Take-Over.

County Councillor Clarke

To receive any other business.

There was not any other business received.

County Councillor Clarke

Wednesday, 23 November 2022 at 6pm, Savoy Suite 2, The Exchange, County Hall, Preston, PR1 8RJ.

Wednesday, 23 November 2022 at 6pm, Savoy Suite 2, The Exchange, County Hall, Preston, PR1 8RJ.