Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Atkinson Unit, Atkinson Centre, Atkinson Close, Beacon Lane, Exeter, EX4 8N

Contact: Daksha Ghelani, Senior Democratic Services Officer  Tel: 020 8424 1881 E-mail:  daksha.ghelani@harrow.gov.uk

Items
Note No. Item

43.

Appointment of Chairman

To note that the Independent Member will serve as Chairman of the Panel.

Minutes:

RESOLVED: To note that the Independent Member, Caroline Ellis, would serve as Chairman of the Panel.

44.

Terms of Reference pdf icon PDF 28 KB

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.”

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the Terms of Reference of the Panel be noted.

45.

Minutes

 

[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].

Minutes:

(See Note at conclusion of these minutes).

Enc.

46.

Guidance Notes

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

Minutes:

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

47.

Exclusion of Public and Press

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That in accordance with Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item for the reason set out below:

 

Item

Title

 

Reason

5.

The Keeping of a Child in Secure Accommodation

Information under paragraph 1 (contains information relating to any individual).

 

RESOLVED ITEMS

48.

The Keeping of a Child in Secure Accommodation

Additional documents:

  • Document To Follow
  • Document To Follow

Minutes:

The Panel considered confidential written reports from the Independent Investigator and the Secure Unit, including an oral report from the Council’s Children’s Services, which set out:

 

·                     the background to the current situation;

 

·                     the actions that had been taken in respect of the recommendations made at the last meeting, some of which remained outstanding;

 

·                     the reasons why a Secure Unit placement continued to be necessary.

 

The Panel carefully reviewed the case, taking into account the verbal updates and comments, including concerns, from officers of Children’s Services, the Secure Unit and the Independent Person.  They also discussed how some of the outstanding recommendations from the last meeting ought to be addressed and taken forward.

 

The Panel noted the progress made by the child in some areas, including areas where there had been some set backs.  Panel members also noted that the current Secure Accommodation Order would expire on 30 March 2012 and agreed that a further meeting was essential before the Order ran out.

 

The Panel agreed that the criteria for the placement in a Secure Accommodation continued to apply and that, unfortunately, some of the plans that had been put in place had not worked out, as envisaged which has affected any current Exit Plan.

 

RESOLVED:  That

 

(1)               the Panel agreed that the Chairman should request a meeting  with the Corporate Director Children's Services to discuss the preparations of an Exit Plan;

 

(2)               that the next Panel meeting to be held on 15 March 2012 to review  progress and plans prior to the expiry of the Secure Order.