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.