Issue - meetings

Cabinet to consider the Scrutiny Review and Recommendations of the Children and Young People’s Panel Scrutiny Panel on Child Friendly Haringey.

Councillor Blake introduced this Scrutiny review on behalf of the Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Panel Chair.

Councillor Blake began his introduction to the review, by underlining the importance of local government and partner systems listening to children. He emphasised the importance around implementing a child centred focus which was not through a ‘top down’ approach.

Councillor Blake referred to the Panel’s recommendation of taking forward the long-term aim of UNICEF accreditation. The Panel were impressed with work of other boroughs that have become child friendly and they felt adopting a similar approach in Haringey with partners was important They recognised that this was a long term process, but becoming a UNICEF partner would also provide external challenge.

The Panel listened to views of local children and the importance of tackling: safety concerns, mental health issues, homelessness, housing, education issues, and reducing households in poverty. It was important to consider these views in forthcoming children polices. Also in these changing times, to ensure that the child’s voice was heard through the Council and partner systems, and in schools.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Families thanked the Chair of the Children and Young People’s Panel and Panel members for their work on this review. There was a shared ambition to work towards improving the lives of children and young people in the borough and providing children the best start in life. Although, the Cabinet were not able to agree all of the recommendations in detail, they were in agreement with the spirit and the principles being put forward.

RESOLVED

To approve the Children’s Services responses to the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as outlined in Appendix 2 of the report.

Reasons for decision

The evidence supporting the Panel’s recommendations is outlined in the main body of the report (Appendix 1).

Alternative options considered

The evidence supporting the Panel’s recommendations is outlined in the main body of the report (Appendix 1). The Cabinet could choose not to accept the recommended response by officers to them, as outlined in Appendix 2. The potential implications of alternative courses of action are referred to within this, as appropriate.

Some of the recommendations presented in the Review would have financial and resourcing implications that have not fully been costed by the Panel and Cabinet is asked to consider this as part of their decision.