John Readman, Interim Executive Director of Education and Children's Services
To receive an update relating to children looked after and care leavers that have occurred since the last meeting.
Minutes:
PROUD
John Readman echoed CC Brown's comments on the PROUD awards evening and added that it was an amazing, classy night and very professionally organised. He had received great feedback following the event which we can build on for future awards evenings.
Update on Director of Children's Services
John Readman had received an update from Amanda Hatton, saying she was recovering well from her operation and she asked John to say "Hi" to the Board this evening. CC Brown asked if LINX would like to write to Amanda and maybe send messages.
Action: LINX to write a letter and collect messages to send to Amanda and forward this to Sam Gorton who will ensure she receives it.
Local Offer
Consultation with around 800 care leavers had taken place on the Local Offer, on what they would like to see included in it. The deadline for the questionnaire is 7 April 2018 and then the results will be analysed and presented back to the CPB. A workshop will be held in April for Elected Members, CPB members, Chief Executive, LCC and John Readman and this will then form part of the Care Leavers Strategy. The Local Offer will be made by the end of 2018. A regular update will come to the Board.
Corporate Parenting Strategy
John Readman asked if LINX were involved with the strategy and if not, then links needed to be made as some work had been started to look at having one document and the young people's views were crucial.
Pledge
It was agreed that a new pledge was needed about what our young people were saying and what we as a Board were doing about it.
Action: The Board to look at designing a new pledge at a future meeting.
CPB Website
This is outdated and needs revising. John requested volunteers to look at the website and agree content and ensure all documents are up to date. LINX are asked to be involved also. It was agreed that some of the five new Care Leaver apprentices could be the link between LCC and LINX on the project.
Action: Barbara Bath will seek to find a lead from Children's Services to create a Task and Finish Group to look specifically at bringing the website up-to-date as soon as possible.
Ofsted
Barbara Bath talked about how LINX had been really influential during inspections and also supported all Social Workers, not just the newly qualified ones, those who have been doing it for years, and have made them look at their actions by young people sharing their experiences directly with them. CPB and young people had been really powerful and this had been recognised and praised by Ofsted. Colleagues in Children's Services were now beginning to change their thought processes and this needed to continue and shape and influence the Service going forward.
John Readman informed the Board that it was envisaged that Ofsted will carry out a full inspection possibly May/June 2018 where they would inspect for four weeks. They would possibly want to attend a CPB meeting, definitely meet with the Chair, CC Brown and maybe other members, and also meet with LINX. Preparation for their next visit needs to start now. When further information was available, John would ensure that this was circulated and there is an expectation for all to be involved.
Barbara Bath informed the Board that a recent Ofsted visit to one of the Residential homes in Lancashire now had all Units at Good/Outstanding except one whom they visited last week and said this is now improving. This is a real celebration for the Residential Service.