Issue - meetings

The Panel considered a report of the Corporate Director of Children’s Services which set out the background to the current situation and outlined the reasons why a secure placement was still considered necessary.  The Panel also considered a report from the Independent Investigator which gave an overview of the child’s situation and a report from the Secure Unit.

The Panel carefully reviewed the case, taking into account the verbal updates from officers of Children Services, the Independent Investigator, Secure Unit, and the wishes of the child who was present at the meeting.

Arising from the discussion it was:

·                     agreed that the Head of Service – Safeguarding and Family Support should be recommended to give approval to a programme for mobility;

·                     noted that officers would begin to look for a suitable placement for when the child was able to leave secure accommodation;

·                     agreed that continued contact between the child and her mother should be encouraged;

·                     agreed that it was a priority to ensure a smooth handover when the present Social Worker leaves the Council’s employment.

The Panel agreed that the criteria for the placement in secure accommodation continued to apply, that the placement continued to be necessary and that no other description of accommodation was appropriate.

RESOLVED:  That the child remain in the Secure Unit for a period of three months from 22 January 2010.