Decision details

Housing

In preparation for this meeting, young people had been asked an open question regarding housing and what they felt they needed, to have suitable housing.  Following their responses, these were summarised as:

·  Support with practical skills such as budgeting, simple household fixes such as boiler pressure, changing plugs or simple plumbing fixes.

·  Someone to call when there is an emergency.

·  Properties that are at an acceptable liveable standard and help with making it their own such as decorating and buying furniture and other "homely" items.

·  Close to family, friends and support networks.

·  Mental Health support and practical ideas to cope with isolation.

·  Routine of how to take care of a home such as a cleaning schedule.

Following the presentation, young people commented:

·  That maybe some work could be carried out with local Youth Zones on delivering a crash course of life skills.

·  Receive help to undertake the ASDAN course, not necessarily in their own placements.

·  Have care experienced young people share their experiences with other care leavers on life skills.

Jane Hylton commented that a 10 week ASDAN course (14-16 year olds) was coming to an end and had been delivered virtually via  Zoom.  A new course would be starting in the New Year and commented that the Service is always looking for young people to help deliver this course.  If any of the young people were interested, please contact Jane Hylton, (jane.hylton@lancashire.gov.uk).

Discussion on 24 hour support was raised and this is something that needs to be put in place and further discussion needs to be had as to whether the Residential Units or Support Units can be that point of call in case of a burst water pipe, etc.

Resolved:  i)  That Judith Gault would feedback to Kathy Ashworth,     Project Lead Manager, Child and Family Wellbeing   Service on the suggestion of delivering life skills courses   in Youth Zone and will report back to the Board on the   findings.

ii)  24 hour support for young people in case of emergencies   ie burst water pipes, heating issues etc needs discussing   further within the Service as it is a pertinent issue and to   target this support at the young people who do not have   close links to residential homes/foster carers.

Criminalisation of Children in Care

A case study from a Care Leaver detailing their experience of criminalisation whilst in care, the impact it had, how the experience affected their relationship with the Police and what the young person could have done differently, had been circulated prior to the meeting.

Young people also accounted different experiences they had had when in care and it was common that the Police had been called at different times, when in family life it would have been dealt with, without calling the Police.  They also commented how this can have an adverse effect between staff and the young people and instead of talking to the young person about the consequences, why they are acting like they are and taking into consideration their mental health issues, they felt that the staff just called the Police.

Carolyn Entwistle, Senior Manager, Child and Youth Justice Team confirmed that there was a protocol in place, however there is still a lot of work to do and will be detailed at agenda item 5, on dealing with issues in Residential Homes and that there is a ten point checklist that the Crown Prosecution Service use with Children Looked After and the Polices' response should be one of diversion and preventing criminalisation of Children Looked After.

Resolved:  That a Police Representative should be a member of the   Corporate Parenting Board which would allow conversations and   enable the Police Force to think about its' actions in cases and   situations they deal with when they are called and to also listen to   the voice of the young people on the Board about their     experiences. Sharon Hubber, Director of Children's Services,   Lancashire County Council would follow up representation from   the Police at future Board meetings and also how the Corporate   Parenting Board can strengthen its' links with the Youth Justice   Board.