Issue - meetings

This report is a discussion paper for the Children’s Safeguarding Policy and Practice Advisory Committee, following on from the audit carried out by the Independent Member Hilary Corrick and presented on the 19^th April 2012.

The committee considered the report on the response to the audit of children subject to child protection plans, presented to the committee on 19^th April 2012.

The committee asked how the number of sets of care proceedings in the courts as of June 2012 compared with the previous year, and it was reported that it was lower than the previous year. This had reduced in line with the number of children in care. The committee was asked to note the findings of the CAFCASS report, which indicated that in 85.4% of cases, Guardians felt that the Local Authority’s care application was the only viable action.

The committee asked about the format of the report, as in other committees audit responses would be expected to incorporate the original audit alongside an action plan, in order that progress could be monitored. It was reported that the audit had not made recommendations as such, but there were some qualitative issues that the committee had wanted to explore further with officers, as set out in the report, with a view to developing models of best practice.

It was agreed that a copy of the original audit report would be provided to Cllrs Adamou and Allison.

RESOLVED

That the content of the report be noted.