Agenda and minutes

County Councillor Prynn

To note who is attending and any apologies for absence.

All were welcomed to the meeting and the following apologies were noted:

Kathy Ashworth, Marc Bentley, Debbie Ross and Catherine Poole.

County Councillor Prynn

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

The notes of the previous meeting on 6 February 2013 were noted as an accurate record.  There were no actions arising from the notes that were not being picked up elsewhere on the agenda.

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.

Members of the Board (County Councillors Prynn, Brown and Henig) updated the board on their activities since the last meeting.

The Board was asked to note that the Grant Funding Scheme has now ceased and will not be replaced.  The outstanding balance has now been carried forward to enable the Proud Celebration Event and the Conference to take place next year.

Concern was raised by County Councillors Brown and Brindle whom attended an Adoption Activity Day that this had not been brought via the Board prior to its arrangement.  Councillors felt that the organisation of the day could have been better. Barnardos have also expressed concerns regarding activity days as a whole.  An evaluation of such days has been carried out by Manchester Metropolitan University however, it does not appear to be published anywhere.

It was proposed that a letter from the Board be sent outlining their feedback on the day including suggestions for the future.

Diane Booth agreed to feedback to the Head of Service for Adoption and bring the initial feedback from the event to the next meeting.

County Councillor Prynn

To discuss where the actions from previous meetings are up to.

Staying Put/Leaving Care is high on the agenda for the coming year.  80% of care leavers access some form of service within the Authority after 2-3 years of leaving care.  A piece of work is being carried out by the Social Care Research Unit (SCRU) to look at this as well as homeless 16/17 year olds.  This work will commence at the end of May 2014.

Diane Booth agreed to report back at the next meeting.

Richard Cooke

To receive the plan for information.

Richard Cooke gave a brief background around the consultation process and that young people felt that a video was the best way of getting the message across regarding the Plan.  A premier of the video will be held on 19 May 2014 where all children and families that have contributed will be invited to attend.  The Plan will be presented to Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools for approval on 13 May 2014.

Richard introduced the video, reiterating that it was still in draft mode.  The Board felt that it was too long, especially if being used on social media – a condensed one would be better.  The young people enjoyed the video, however, felt that there should be a condensed version.  They also felt it was much better than having a paper copy.

It was agreed that Richard would come back to the next meeting to update the Board on how they were going to deliver the plan.

Bob Stott

To receive an update.

Bob Stott spoke to the presentation attached and informed the Board that Oftsted were due between now and January/February 2015.  Training sessions are planned for County Councillors in preparing for inspection.

Diane Booth

To receive an update on all three areas.

Diane Booth updated the Board on the SEND Reforms attached to the agenda.  Work is being carried out to implement one system for 0-25 year olds for Education, Care and Health Assessment.  There is a new system for fastracking complaints.  Briefing sessions will be held for Elected Members if it needs revisiting and Diane Booth will inform the Head of Service.  The focus is on Out of Area placements and the need to reduce these. 

It was agreed that Diane Booth will bring the Sufficiency Strategy to the next meeting.

It was also requested that data on CLA resident in Lancashire and whether they are from or out of County be sought and reported on at the next meeting by Diane Booth.

The CLA Strategy was not brought to this meeting.

Diane spoke to Fostering and Adoption report that was attached to the agenda and the Board were asked to note that there is a shortage of adopters and that a range of activities have been arranged to recruit more.

There was a request on data on how many foster carers become adopters.  Diane Booth agreed to seek this information from the Head of Service.

Brendan Lee

To receive an update.

Brendan Lee presented the attached powerpoint, informing the Board that there are 10 mainstream residential settings and eight overnight break units.

Elected Members have been receiving bite size briefings to enable them to carry out Regulation 22 visits.

County Councillor Prynn will draw up a timetable of visits for all Elected Members that have undertaken the training so these can be carried out as required as part of their role on the Corporate Parenting Board.

Young People and Barnardos

·  Update on what LINX have been doing

·  Feedback on Performance Report

·  Pupil Premium

·  Passport to Parliament

·  Care Leavers Strategy

Apologies were made to the young people as the meeting had over run which would result in their time being shortened.

It was agreed that at the next meeting, the young people's item would be in the first half of the meeting.

It was noted that Mark (young person) had spoken at the Chairman's Dinner for Foster Carers on 23 April 2014 and that several carers had commented on what a fantastic speech he had delivered.

Congratulations were also passed on to the LINX group for their contribution to North West Regional Corporate Parenting Board Conference in February where they ran one of the workshops – Having your Voice Heard as a CLA.

LINX presented to the Board what they had been doing since the last CPB meeting and to elaborate on the ITV Fixers stereotyping work they had been doing.  However due to staffing levels, this was now on hold and will inform the Board when work progresses on this.

One of the members of LINX is also a part of the Amplify Group and are looking at a new project to start on mental health for all children, however CLA will be playing a key part in this.

LINX took the Board through the Performance Report.  Sue Parr commented that attendance figures for CLA were improving.

It was agreed that Sue Parr report back at the next meeting on attainments.

County Councillor Prynn

To receive any other business.

There was no other business.

County Councillor Prynn

Thursday, 19 June 2014 at 6.00pm, The Duke of Lancaster Room (formerly Cabinet Room 'C'), County Hall, Preston, PR1 8RJ.

The Board noted its next scheduled meeting was to be held on Thursday, 19 June 2014 at 6.00pm with light refreshments available from 5.30pm.

To note the attached document.

This item was for information only.

Special Edition on amendments to the Children's Home Regulations from January 2014.

This item was for information only.