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.

[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 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 reports from the Council’s Children’s and Families Directorate, an Independent Person and the Secure Unit which set out the background to the current situation and outlined the reasons why a secure unit placement was still considered necessary at this stage.

The Panel carefully reviewed the case, taking into account the updates from officers of Children’s and Families Directorate, including the child’s social worker, the Secure Unit and the Independent Person.  The child and the father were in attendance and were given the opportunity to set out their views.

The Panel agreed that the criteria for the placement in secure accommodation continued to apply.  The Panel noted that the Local Authority did not have any intention to apply to the Court for an extension of the Order unless it was deemed necessary.

RESOLVED:  That the child remains in the secure placement for the duration of the Secure Order which expired in February 2013.