Agenda and minutes

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

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 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 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, detailing the child’s progress and activities since arrival.

The Panel carefully reviewed the case, taking into account the written and verbal updates from officers of Children’s Services, the Independent Investigator, permanent and visiting staff at the Secure Unit, and the views and wishes of the child and the child’s parent, who were both present at the meeting.

Panel Members enquired about arrangements for transition to a residential placement, and the options for a placement nearer to the child’s family home.

The Panel concluded that the criteria for placement in secure accommodation continued to be met, and were satisfied that the placement continued to be necessary, that the child’s identified needs were being met in the current placement, and that no other description of accommodation was appropriate at this time.

RESOLVED:  That the child remains in the secure placement for the duration of the Secure Order.