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 98 KBVenue: Committee Room 'C' - The Duke of Lancaster Room, County Hall, Preston. View directions
Contact: Sam Gorton Tel: 01772 532471 email: sam.gorton@lancashire.gov.uk
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Introductions and Apologies County Councillor Prynn
To note who is attending and receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: All were welcomed to the meeting and the following apologies were noted:
Katherine Ashworth, Sue Parr, Catherine Poole, Annette McNeil and Lesley Tiffen. |
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Notes of the Meeting and Matters Arising held on 24 April 2014 County Councillor Prynn
To agree for accuracy the notes of the meeting and receive any matters arising. Minutes: The notes of the previous meeting on 24 April 2013 were noted as an accurate record. There were no actions arising from the notes that were not picked up elsewhere on the agenda. |
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What our Elected Members have been doing County Councillor Prynn and other Elected Members
To note feedback from work undertaken by the Chair of the Board and our Elected Members as part of their role on the CPB, including Members' visits. Minutes: County Councillor Prynn distributed the Regulation 22 visit packs to the Elected Members whom have undertaken the training to carry these out as part of their role on the Board.
It was noted that the Elected Members are to have completed at least one visit by 31 July 2014 and if at all possible, another by the next CPB meeting in September 2014.
A standing item is on the agenda for every CPB on feedback for the visits that have been carried out.
It was also reiterated that the offer of an officer accompanying an Elected Member on their initial visit only can be requested via Sam Gorton who will arrange this with the Head of Residential Services.
If any further clarification is sought around the visits, then contact County Councillor Prynn/Sam Gorton. |
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County Councillor Prynn
To discuss where the actions from previous meetings are up to. Minutes: There were no issues arising from the action sheet. |
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LINX (Lancashire's Children in Care Council) Young People and Barnardos
To receive feedback on the work our young people have been doing:
Influencing Services APPG Pupil Premium Feedback on Performance Report Budgeting for Care Leavers Additional documents:
Minutes: Detailed feedback was given from the Young People and Barnardos on what they had been doing since the last meeting.
Kat and Mark are involved with the National Young Experts Group who will help to develop the Care Monitor survey. This year will be the first time Maggie Atkinson, Children's Commissioner for England, will build upon this important piece of work. This Young Expert Group will play an important part in our thinking and what we do. The Care Monitor is a survey aimed at children aged 8 years and older who are in care, to find out how well they are being cared for and what, and how things could be improved. The findings are shared with Government, local authorities and organisations that work with children in care and care leavers. The group will meet 3 to 4 times a year and help us review, develop and learn from Care Monitor.
Kat is taking part in the following project: The European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC) is doing a Creative Participation Project which aims to explore the impact of austerity on the lives of children and young people.
The project will work with eight European countries to support four children and young people to take part for each country. From your part this means asking four children and young people if they would like to be involved for England.
Georgina attended the All Party Parliamentary Group in London which was focusing on foster placements and residential homes and that choices should be given to young people on these. This work is being carried out by the Who Cares Trust.
LINX presented a video called "Taking It to the Next Level" and discussion ensued around improving communication with young people. It was felt that communication was good between the Board and the young people and the use of KOKO (Kids OK Online - social media set up by Barnardos) was better than Facebook.
Kate informed the group that the Founders of KOKO had been invited to the next meeting in July and was awaiting a reply.
County Councillor Prynn informed the group that work is still being carried out in trying to establish the best way for communication to be sent to young people in care and that discussions were taking place with the Young People Service.
Action: Sandra Bilsborrow agreed to follow this up with Kathy Ashworth and to report back at the September meeting.
LINX led the Board through the Performance Report which was attached to the agenda. Young people queried as to why they had to have yearly health assessments when others who were not in care did not require one. Debbie Ross explained that the Directorate of Health says that they are required for all CLA, however a number of health professionals receive the same comment that LINX have raised. This has been feedback at a national level and they have agreed to review it.
Action: Debbie Ross will update the Board further ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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Activity Days County Councillor Prynn
To discuss the recommendations to be made by the Board. Additional documents: Minutes: The recommendations that were tabled at the meeting as attached to the minutes were agreed by the Board.
Action: Sam Gorton to send the recommendations on behalf of the Board to Diane Booth and Stasia Osiowy. |
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Fostering for Adoption and Concurrent Placements Diane Booth
To note the report requested by CPB at the meeting on 24 April 2014. Minutes: Diane Booth spoke to the report attached with the agenda. There were no issue arising from the report.
Action: It was agreed that an updated report be brought back to the Board in six months time. |
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Changes to CLA Personal Educational Plans (PEPS) and Pupil Premium Grant Conditions Mark Robson
To receive the presentation on the changes. Minutes: Mark Robson updated the Board on the changes and spoke to the presentation attached to these minutes.
The new system will give confirmation that the Pupil Premiums are being spent on the individual in receipt of it and it will be tracked on a six months basis. The IRO will also monitor the map at every review.
Action: Examples of the maps are to be brought to the meeting in September by Sue Parr/Mark Robson.
Carers are also being briefed on the changes.
A discussion ensued around letters being automatically sent as soon as a young person comes into care and it was agreed that children aged 5-10 years old, the carer will receive the letter, and from 10 upwards the young person and carer will receive a letter. It should contain examples on how to spend the money. If a child is still in care at the age of 10 then another letter be sent to them as an individual
Action: Diane Booth agreed to work with Sue Parr regarding this.
It was noted that where CLA are placed out of County in Scotland or Wales then Lancashire will pay the Pupil Premium, however, it is not paid when CLA are placed Scotland. |
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Any Other Business County Councillor Prynn
To receive any other business. Minutes: There was no other business. |
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Date and Time of Next Meeting County Councillor Prynn
Thursday, 24 July 2014 at 1.00pm in the Duke of Lancaster Room (formerly Cabinet Room 'C'), County Hall, Preston, PR1 8RJ.
This meeting is where the young people take over in setting the agenda and chairing the meeting. Minutes: Thursday, 24 July 2014 at 1.00pm in the Duke of Lancaster Room (formerly Cabinet Room 'C'), County Hall, Preston, PR1 8RJ. Refreshments will be served from 12.30pm in the Assembly Hall.
This meeting is where the young people take over in setting the agenda and chairing the meeting. |