Members of the public are welcome to attend our meetings to watch them in person at any of the venues across the County. Publicly accessible meetings held in County Hall will be webcast, which means they are available to be watched live or recorded on our website. Please see our webcasting notice here. The Committee may, in certain circumstances, resolve to hold part of the meeting in private. If this is the case, you will be required to leave the meeting.
PDF 102 KBVenue: Committee Room 'C' - The Duke of Lancaster Room, County Hall, Preston. View directions
Contact: Mark Elliott Tel: (01772) 531657, Email: mark.elliott@lancashire.gov.uk
Note: Buffet served from 5.30pm
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Introductions and Apologies County Councillor Prynn
To note who is attending and any apologies for absence. Minutes: County Councillor Margaret Brindle was welcomed as the Deputy Chair of the Corporate Parenting Board for the remainder of 2013/14 municipal year.
Apologies had been received from County Councillor Henig, Lin Fisher, Jane Simpson, Nicola Bamford, Joanna Hunt, Ismal Karolia, Sue Parr and Kate Baggaley. |
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Notes of the Meetings held on 18 April 2013, 17 June 2013 and 25 July 2013 County Councillor Prynn
To agree for accuracy the notes of the meetings. Additional documents: Minutes: The notes of these meetings were agreed as accurate records. |
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Matters Arising from the Notes of the Meetings held on 18 April 2013, 17 June 2013 and 25 July 2013 (5 mins) County Councillor Prynn
To receive an update from the matters arising from the notes of the meeting. Minutes: There were no matters arising. |
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What our Elected Members have been doing (15 mins) County Councillor Prynn and other Elected Members
To note feedback from work undertaken by the Chair of the Board and our Elected Members including Members' visits. Minutes: County Councillor Prynn updated the Board on the work she had been doing as Chair of the Board.
This included visits to residential settings, supporting the Staying Put project by viewing properties, attending the Speak Out event in Leyland and meeting council teams across the Directorate for Children and Young People.
Some work that Councillor Prynn would be doing in the near future included increasing participation through the development of a secure on-line forum, analysis of statistics relating to suicide rates amongst children looked after and preparations for the next North West Regional Conference.
Regarding the Conference Councillor Prynn told the Board that Dr Maggie Atkinson had kindly agreed to be the keynote speaker. It was noted that through various sources, Maggie had been singing the praises of Lancashire regarding engagement with young people. |
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What Does Our Performance Tell Us? (5 mins) Louise Mackender De Cari
To receive an update on current performance data. Minutes: Louise Mackender de Cari took the Board through the current performance data.
It was noted that work was needed on some parts of the process relating to missing from care particularly around return interviews.
It was agreed that missing from care be included in future reports and LINX be asked if they wish to look at the data in advance of the Board meetings. |
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LINX (Lancashire's Children in Care Council) (15 mins) Young People and Barnardos
To receive feedback on the work our young people have been doing. Minutes: The young people updated the Board on work they have been involved with recently.
They had been busy with such things as the meeting with Craig Whittaker MP which will help inform a report to the All Party Parliamentary Group, KOKO training, the Speak Out event and the training of social workers.
It was noted that Kris had today presented to County Councillors as part of the awareness session that had been held. |
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Foster Carer Recruitment and Retention (5 mins) Barbara Bath
To discuss the letter received from Edward Timpson. Minutes: Barbara took the Board through the current position regarding recruitment and retention, specifically referring to the surveys that Edward Timpson mentioned in his letter of 2 May 2013. |
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Barbara Bath
To note the letter attached from Edward Timpson and to receive the analysis as to its likely impact for our services and carers based on current numbers and experiences. Additional documents: Minutes: The Board had a lively debate on this topic.
The Board was encouraged to take any ideas forward with County Councillors Prynn and Brindle. |
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Beyond All Limits (10 mins) Anthony Moorcroft
To receive the DVD – Beyond All Limits from the Golden Raven Production Company starring children and young people from Lancashire.
Minutes: The Board watched the DVD. The DVD had been produced and performed by some of our talented children with disabilities. |
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Mike Sunderland and Diane Booth
The Board is asked to consult on the following policies:
Delegation of Authority - Mike University Fees - Diane Staying Put - Diane Additional documents:
Minutes: The Board supported the following policies and was happy to see them proceed to the Cabinet Member for approval:
Delegation of Authority University Fees Staying Put
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Customer Feedback Service Annual Report (10 mins) Chantel Finley
To receive the annual report. Minutes: The Board noted with interest the Annual Report.
The young people were encouraged to discuss the 'what we want from you' slide and come up with ideas as to increase the number of responses to the questionnaire.
Those ideas included posting the questionnaire on KOKO, possible incentives to complete the form and the promotion of the questionnaires by social workers, IROs and other staff groups. |
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Independent Support for Care Leavers (10 mins) Suzanne Cheng
To provide an update and suggested way forward following last year's Friends 4 U pilot. Minutes: Suzanne introduced the report and answered questions on this topic.
The Board noted the development of service specification and the tender exercise for young people leaving care mentoring scheme that provides an informal relationship for young people approaching adulthood to compliment the current leaving care services.
This is to support young people leaving care as they become adults and independent, at an approximate cost of £40k per annum for 40 young people cases. |
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Residential Care and Fostering (10 mins) Louise Mackender de Cari
To provide an update and hear the Board's views. Minutes: Louise took the Board through the process of commissioning care services.
The Board noted it would receive an update after the first round of commissioning had taken place. |
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Health Complaints Advocacy Launch (10 mins) Stuart Chaplin, Children's Society
To receive a powerpoint on what the service offers. Minutes: The Board noted the information on the Children and Young People’s Health Complaints Advocacy Service which helps young people by finding out information, making phone calls, understanding any decisions made, explaining their rights and options, makes formal and informal complaints, prepares for meetings or attend with/for young people and help young people to make their own decisions.
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Any Other Business (5 mins) County Councillor Prynn
To receive any other business. Minutes: The Board noted that PULSE had been shortlisted for a Young Partners award and an awards ceremony is to be held on 19 October in London.
The Board also wished to change the format of its meetings so that half the meeting is given to the young people to lead and reports and presentations be limited to enable this revised format to work. |
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Date and Time of Next Meeting County Councillor Prynn
Thursday, 5 December 2013 at 6.00pm in the Duke of Lancaster Room (former Cabinet Room 'C'), County Hall, Preston, PR1 8RJ. Minutes: The Board noted its next scheduled meeting was to be held on Thursday 5 December 2013 starting at 6.00pm, at County Hall. |
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Grant Funding Applications To note the attached document. Minutes: The current position regarding applications was noted. |