Agenda item

Young People and Barnardos

To receive feedback on the work our young people have been doing including:

·  the Performance Report

·  "What would you do different if you were in charge of Children's Services?"

Sam R, young person, shared with the Board the attached information from the Become Board that he was a member of.  He had also recently been accepted as a Board member on the Young Editors group which produces a magazine quarterly.  The Board felt that this magazine would be useful for Foster Carers and requested that Sam source more magazines to be shared with carers through the Fostering Forum.

Action:  Sam R to source more Become magazines and distribute (with the help from Barnardo's/Barbara Bath), to the Fostering Forum.

What Would You Do Different If You Were In Charge of Children's Services?

Mark Ormerod presented the attached PowerPoint to the Board on what he would do differently.

The Board received the presentation and discussion ensued.  Mark felt there was a need for young people to be Care Mentors for those younger children coming into care, so they can help and guide them from experience.  This could be a paid role or look at having it accredited, so the Care Mentors would have something to be recognised by.

Karen Buckley shared that she was happy for Young Inspectors to inspect her Agency and could also offer a Care Leaver Apprenticeship and is certain that other Agency Providers would be willing to offer an apprenticeship also.

Training in schools for specialised teachers could be an opportunity for the young people to speak to them, like they do in the Social Work Academy in a formal setting.  This would give them more of an understanding of Children in Care.

Mark felt that one thing that needed changing for the better is Staying Put.  He felt that a campaign on this was needed and that there was a distinct lack of knowledge on this.  Foster carers are confused by it and more needs to be done about helping them to understand more and also allaying fears that if they offered a Staying Put policy they do not lose their foster carer status.  Barbara Bath thanked Mark for highlighting this and that this was a quick fix solution.  Barbara agreed to take this forward.  Communications around Staying Put needed to be stronger – advertise it as well as advertising for foster carers.

Mark requested that a Focus Group be set up on Staying Put so young people were also aware of it and how it works.  John Readman agreed to look at this.

Action:  i)  Barbara Bath to ensure the correct information is shared on the Staying Put policy and that foster carers understand it fully.

ii)  John Readman agreed to look at setting up a Focus Group on Staying Put and will discuss with young people outside the meeting.

Mark felt that After Hours Support was crucial for care leavers.  Look at changing contracted hours so staff can support young people after 5pm and before 9am if needed.  If young people are working, they cannot always make contact 9am-5pm and then the office closes and there is nobody to contact, ie if a key is lost.

Mark was thanked for his very informative presentation and CC Brown and John Readman will scrutinise this and follow it through and report back at a future meeting.

Action:  John Readman and CC Brown to follow up points within the presentation and share findings/solutions at a future meeting.

LINX had also been asked the same question about what they would change if they were in charge of Children's Services.  Attached are their suggestions/comments.

Feedback on the CPB Performance Report March 2018

Young people gave feedback on their findings from the Performance Report.  Attached are the comments from young people they want answering.  Concern was raised around Health Assessments and support that the young people felt was not given by Social Workers when accompanying them to appointments.  This needs raising with Social Workers.

Numbers of Care Leavers attending University has increased.  Barbara Bath agreed to look at why they are increasing and continue with the good work that is encouraging Care Leavers to attend University.

Action:  Barbara Bath agreed to look at why University figures for Care Leavers were increasing, which is good news and to ensure this continues to rise.

Young Inspectors

LINX presented the attached PowerPoint to the Board.  They were asked which five Agency providers had been inspected.  Lorraine Moody agreed to ask Dylan Williams who has been involved with this and will report back at the next meeting.

Action:  Dylan Williams to report back at the next meeting which five Agency providers have been inspected by the Young Inspectors.