Issue - meetings

Matters arising

Meeting: 19/03/2012 - Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee (Item 152)

Matters arising

Minutes:

It  was noted that the Fostercare Consortium were currently  discussing the recruitment of specialist foster carers .This would include  specialist carers that were able to care for    young people on remand  and deal with behavioural issues. There were ongoing discussions with the YOS team  about training potential specialist  foster carers .

 

In light of changes to the youth justice bill, the Chair had recommended   that the committee consider  a report ,at their next meeting in June, about the  support to LAC when they are in custody .It was further agreed  to invite Linda  James YOS manger to attend. The   committee agreed that the report include the number of LAC  in  custody , explain  what the  council will be  responsible for  following changes  to the bill, and include a background of  the  young people’s  routes into care.

 

 An update  was provided on  safeguarding  the  access of children and young people, in the care of the local authority, to  social networking sites. The committee noted that  there was guidance available to foster carers and residential homes  on being aware  of the  safeguarding issues around  vulnerable children and young people access to   social networking sites.  The  Safeguarding  board were also completing  further work in this area. Historically the council had provided ICT  access to carers through  contracted services  but  this was costly. Currently , as part of the registration process new foster carers would need to provide their own access to ICT.

 

Completion of PEPs -  Since this action was agreed by Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee in the past,   training programmes had been provided  by the council  on the  completion of PEPS(Personal Education Plans) for looked after children.  Schools were now confident enough to deliver this  programme themselves with the support of Social Workers.

 

 

  When discussing the type of training provided by the council to teachers  it was agreed that Attracta Craig to provide Councillor Brabazon with the contact details of Kate Cairns,   a leading professional who has trained teachers in how to support  vulnerable children experiencing trauma.

 

 

 Cllr Allison and Wendy Tomlinson agreed  to speak after the meeting to resolve the outstanding issue on the   difference in figures for   number of people making foster care enquiries and attending information sessions.

 

 

Following debate on the  use of the pupil  premium  grant and the need to ensure that the required element of the   funding was being  used to support LAC, Cllr Reith  agreed to write to all schools seeking an understanding about how they were spending the pupil premium grant in relation to LAC. It was further agreed that Attracta  Craig  make contact with the school governing body team to discuss   what can be  incorporated into the  Safeguarding Governor’s job description to provide more responsibility for monitoring how  the LAC children element of the Pupil Premium grant is being spent . Alternatively advice could  be sought  on whether this monitoring role can be taken forward by the designated teacher  for LAC at relevant schools.