Decision details

Lancashire's Children in Care County (LINX) gave feedback to the Board following the young person led Corporate Parenting Board meeting that was held at Hothersall Lodge on 24 July 2019.

The Board took part in archery, low ropes and a team challenge each linked to key themes on placements, mental health and communication and trust.  During each activity young people worked alongside Board members building trust and communicating.  Following each exercise, feedback was given as to what advice members would give to young people, what ideas they had following the findings from the exercise and what their promise to the young people would be.  Young people also filled in the same feedback form too.  These were shared at the meeting with comments from the young people being that some felt that the feedback was disappointing, some of it did not make sense to the young people and not all of the questions were answered.  Some feedback that was received was "Given the lack of finance to mental health services for children and young people, we should promote the early intervention support out there and ensure in the new Hertfordshire teams we develop that we have good provision for mental health in children and young people".  The Hertfordshire model was something that the Council was looking to adopt in the very near future which was around Family Safeguarding.

One clear message that came from the day was that members needed to think about language used when talking to young people and not use acronyms or assume that young people understood terminology/protocols/the care system and that this was explained at an appropriate level for young people to understand.

Resolved:  That an item on the Hertfordshire model be brought to the next meeting of the Board in November.

Overall the Board felt that the meeting was an excellent afternoon and thanks was given to Gavin Redhead, Mia Leyland, Dylan Williams and Sam Gorton for organising it and to the staff at Hothersall Lodge who supported the event.