Agenda and minutes

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

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

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.

[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 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:

The Panel considered confidential written reports from the Corporate Director Children and Families, an Independent Investigator and the Atkinson Secure Unit, including the Atkinson School, 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, and the progress made by the child since the last Panel meeting;

·                    the status of the current Secure Accommodation Order, which would expire on 30 March 2012;

·                    reasons why a renewal of the Secure Accommodation Order for a further period of three months was necessary, as it would allow a transition plan to a future placement to be successfully put in place.

The Panel carefully reviewed the case, taking into account the verbal updates and comments, including some reservations, from officers of Children’s Services, the Secure Unit and the Independent Person.  It also discussed the proposed new placement, including some reservations, and how the transition could work. The child was in attendance for part of the meeting and was given the opportunity to set out his views and comment on his progress, including the proposed new placement.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)              the Panel did not think that the criteria for the child to remain in a secure placement continued to be met as there was no recent evidence of him absconding as he had done in the past and the child was now saying he would not abscond;

(2)              further to (1) above, the Panel was of the view that the child needed to be moved to a new placement in a planned transition for the move to be successful;

(3)              further to (1) and (2) above, the Panel notes that a new placement had been identified and a transfer with introductions was being arranged and that, until then, the child should remain at the Atkinson Unit;

(4)              Harrow Council put the matter before the Court for a legal basis for a planned move to be agreed;

(5)              the Panel was of the view that the child should be settled in the new placement by the end of April 2012.