Agenda and minutes

On behalf of the Panel, the Chairman welcomed Diane Edwards and Charlie Richardson to the meeting who had attended to represent Beyond Limits (Child in Care Council).  They had attended the meeting to discuss Agenda Item 8 – Lifeskills Programme for Children Looked After.  The Chairman explained that their input would be invaluable and also welcomed Sue Bush who had worked closely with Diane and Charlie on the Lifeskills Programme.

The Chairman also welcomed Councillor David Perry, who was in attendance for Agenda Item 7 – Access to Leisure Facilities for Children Looked After and Young People who are Leaving Local Authority Care.

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)             if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Member:-

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Panel;

(b)               all other Members present.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th January 2012 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2012 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 51 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

RESOLVED: To note that no public questions were put, or petitions or deputations received.

Report of Corporate Director of Children’s Services.

Councillor David Perry, Portfolio Holder for Community & Cultural Services will be in attendance.

The Panel received a report which informed the Panel about how Children Looked After (CLA) and Young People Leaving Care would be supported to access leisure facilities in Harrow.

An officer reported that the Chair of the Panel had attended an event on 16 March 2012 to promote the engagement with leisure activities and CLA with Harrow Leisure Centre and partner centres.  Engaging with key colleagues was a key aim of the Council.

Harrow Leisure Centre was an ideal environment for CLA and Care Leavers to engage with gym activities, swimming and exercise classes.  The Bannister Centre was also available for athletic engagements.  Additionally Harrow Council and Watford Football Club had established a partnership to develop the Cedars Youth Club site.  Leisure facilities would be available here for all CLA and Young People Leaving Care.

The officer further reported the following:

·                     CLA and Young People Leaving Care would be invited to join the Harrow Leisure Centre to use swimming and gym facilities.  The memberships would be reviewed in 3 months time;

·                     CLA would also be invited to join Cedars Youth Club to use their facilities. Watford Football Club had also shown an interest to further promote leisure facilities and education with CLA and young people leaving care, where the CLA Life Chances Forum would develop this partnership arrangement, working closely with the Early Intervention Service.

Councillor David Perry, Portfolio Holder for Community and Cultural Services addressed the Panel and made the following representations:

·                     it was important that the future of Leisure Services in Harrow supported the Corporate Parenting role of the Council;

·                     it was a good opportunity to establish the future specification of leisure service provision and establish the key objectives and aims the Council wished to have in place;

·                     discounts had been offered by the Leisure Services Provide to CLA;

·                     a cross cutting approach was required and this had been demonstrated by the event which had taken place on 16 March 2012;

·                     there were plenty of opportunities available for CLA particularly in relation to the run up to the Olympics.

In response to questions raised, the Portfolio Holder for Community and Cultural Services also made the following comments:

·                     Harrow Leisure Centre had previously conducted ‘taster’ days to encourage an uptake in membership.  This was something that could be investigated again;

·                     it was important that inclusion was recognised as a key theme for CLA;

·                     there were many free green gyms in parks across the borough.  There was also a skate park provided by the Council.  These were options that could be considered for use by CLA;

·                     it was important to note that the Harrow Arts Centre also provided a range of activities ranging from arts, music and drama.  These were other activities that could be utilised by CLA.

During the discussion on this item, Members of the Panel raised a number of issues which officers responded to as follows:

·                     if all young people took up the discounted offers in relation to the Leisure Centre membership fees, it would cost  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

Report of Corporate Director of Children’s Services.

The Panel received a report which provided information on the Harrow Lifeskills Programme for Children Looked After and their transition to adulthood and Leaving Care Services.

The officer reported that the concept had been conceived in 2009.  A working group was then established in 2010 under the framework of the CLA Life Chances Forum.  The following issues were also reported:

·                     the success of independent living was increased where young people were provided with ongoing support, monitoring, evaluation and review;

·                     the CLA Lifeskills Programme would enable an assessment and evaluation of need regarding the progress and completion of the CLA Lifeskills Programme, the allocated social worker, foster carers, carers and key support services for young people.  Recognition of achievements would also be captured and acknowledged through the process;

·                     the CLA Lifeskills Programme would help assess and recommend transition to independent living and nomination for Council tenancy accommodation;

·                     there would be plenty of opportunities for consultation on the programme, so revisions could be made.  A number of young people had already been consulted on the programme;

·                     if young people with special needs embarked on the Programme it would be conducted at a pace which fitted in with their needs;

·                     the Programme could eventually be made available electronically to make it more interactive;

·                     the ‘Beyond Limits’ organisation would be involved in reviewing the Programme.  An update report would then be provided to the Panel next year.

During the discussion on this item, both Diane Edwards and Charlie Richardson made representations to the Forum which included the following:

·                     the CLA Lifeskills Programme was very positive.  It was a concept which had grown in its nature in promoting independence and developing young people.  Extra support was required for young people and this had become increasingly important in the current national economic climate;

·                     the programme should take into account young people with special needs.  The programme may take longer for them to complete and this had to be taken into account;

·                     it was of vital importance that young people were supported in relation to budgeting and spending money.  This would aid them generally in their lives and would help influence them to make the correct choices;

·                     it was important that the CLA Programme catered for everyone and was able to adapt to different needs;

·                     those young people who had conducted the Programme were willing to utilise their experience to assist those who were currently embarking on the Programme.

During the discussion on this item, Members of the Forum raised a number of issues which were responded to by officers as follows:

·                     the Programme would contain a unit relating to budgeting.  This would involve understanding how to deal with utility bills on a monthly and yearly basis;

·                     visits would still be conducted by social workers for any young person experiencing difficulties.  The established Independent Visitor would also be able to assist with any difficulties.

Members of the Forum made a number of comments during the item which included the following:

·                     the CLA Programme was a wonderful resource  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

Report of Corporate Director of Children’s Services.

The Panel received a report which set out key data relating to Children Looked After (CLA) and Children with Child Protection Plans (CPP), plus performance position for Key Indicators for Children’s Social Care.

An officer reported that information had been provided up until the end of January 2012.  There had been 6 adoptions and 4 special guardianships granted in 2011/12 up to that point.  The proportion of CLA aged 16-17 remained higher than in previous years.  The number of CPP had decreased and was now lower that the number of CLA.  The percentage of placements with in-house foster carers had increased.  Additional information had also been included relating to education and health of CLA.

The officer also reported that:

·                     the figures quoted for absence of school sessions missed were slightly misleading.  The Department for Education required that these were only provided for those who had been in care for a period of 1 year or more;

·                     there were a number of performance challenges in Quarter 3.  Short term stability was an issue although long term stability had proved to be good;

·                     young people who went missing, Care leavers entering employment and accommodation were key issues to be resolved;

·                     90% of CLA had up to date health checks by the CLA Nurse and this represented a good total compared to previous years, although it was acknowledged that there was still further work to do;

·                     in relation to CLA absences and exclusions, more work was needed to deal with the issues they presented by getting the right systems and support in place;

·                     there had been good progress in reducing the number of children with CPP for over 2 years.

During the discussion on this item, Members made a number of comments which officers responded to as follows:

·                     it was the Council’s intention to include all absence figures in future reporting and not just those who were in care for a period of 1 year or more.  This was important to allow for greater analysis of any issues.

·                     a lot of targeted work was being conducted to address the issues raised within the Key Performance Indicators.  A report would be presented to the next Panel meeting to identify what was required and what the action plan would consist of;

·                     it would be helpful if data from other London boroughs was presented to the Panel so that benchmarking and comparisons could be made in addition to a brief narrative on each section providing context and analysis;

·                     it was officers’ belief that there were currently 3 young people who ere missing from care.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Joint report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services and the Corporate Director of Children’s Services.

The Chairman introduced a report setting out the work programme for the Panel.  The Chairman reported that:

·                     the IRO Report would be presented to the meeting in July 2012;

·                     the report from the Virtual Headteacher required some further revision and would be presented to the next possible meeting;

·                     it would be helpful if there was permanent representation from Housing and Cultural Services on the Panel.

Officers also reported that:

·                     the Lifechances Action Plan would be presented to the October 2012 meeting of the Panel;

·                     it would be helpful to look at apprenticeships at the October 2012 meeting of the Panel;

·                     a report on exam results would also be presented at in the October 2012 meeting.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Verbal update to be provided at meeting.

The Chairman reported that the Full Council meeting scheduled for 12 April 2012 had been cancelled.  The next ordinary meeting was now being held on 5 July 2012.  The display would therefore be arranged for this day.

The Chairman requested that officers send a reminder to all Members that the display was being held prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED:  That the update be noted.