Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Chairman for the purposes of this meeting.

RESOLVED:  That Caroline Ellis be appointed Chairman of the Panel for the purpose of this meeting.

To note the terms of reference as set out below:

“To review in accordance with the Children (Secure Accommodation) Regulations 1991 the Keeping of Children in Secure Accommodation.”

RESOLVED:  That the terms of reference of the Panel be noted.

[Note:  Social Services Appeals Panel minutes are:-

(1)               approved following each meeting by the Members serving on that particular occasion and signed as a correct record by the Chairman for that meeting;

(2)               not submitted to the next panel meeting for approval.

Reasons: The Social Services Appeals Panel is constituted from a pooled membership.  Consequently, a subsequent Panel meeting is likely to comprise a different Chairman and Members who took no part in the previous meeting’s proceedings.  The process referred to at (1) above provides appropriate approval scrutiny].

(See Note at conclusion of these minutes).

To note the enclosed guidance notes which set out the nature of the Panel.

RESOLVED:  That the guidance notes setting out the nature of the Panel be noted.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence, or of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972:

RESOLVED:  That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item for the reason set out below:

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.