Agenda and minutes

The Chair to introduce the meeting and receive apologies.

Cllr Erin Hill welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made around the table.

For approval as a correct record and to consider any matters arising.

The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Children’s Trust held on 16th March 2017 were approved as a correct record.

A highly participative session to create a shared partnership picture of what we should be offering to our children and young people, which can then be used to inform the future shape of all our Services.

A highly participative session to create a shared partnership picture of what we should be offering to our children and young people was held to inform the future shape of all our services.

Gill referred to a presentation with slides showing the following:

·         Circle of Courage, strong values in 4 areas:

o  Generosity – how important it is for children to give. 

o  Belonging – emphasis on having somewhere to belong to. 

o  Mastery – every day skills, separate from education. 

o  Independence – developing autonomy through life skills, building resilience.

·         What is key to supporting children to be rounded, resilient and ready:

o    A range of different friends – a small range may lead to a gang culture developing.

o    Articulate, good at communication - key skills.

o    Can draw upon a range of skills – literacy and numeracy are very important.

o    Has a wide range of interests – a narrow range of interests would lead to child becoming quite focused i.e. with computer games, friendships.

o    Strong support network – having family/people they can trust.

o    Adult pleasing behaviour – enabling them to get on much better in society.

Following a discussion Gill stated that it would be beneficial for bullet points of examples for key areas to be added to the slide, for example, assess a situation to keep safe (awareness of risks).

Board members took part in an activity to map out on a timeline the critical points in a child’s journey from -9 months to 25 across the whole system. 

A draft of the Children and Young People’s Plan will be presented to the next meeting.  The Plan, which is a partnership approach, is not a large document, but it will contain links to various key documents.  The Plan will be called “Children at the heart of everything we do”.

Gill provided a brief update on the technical position of plan, which is still awaiting submission of the report to the Minister (an appointment has yet to be made), delayed by the General Election.  

The Council will work alongside the Children’s Commissioner, Eleanor Brazil, until the end of September 2017.

Work has taken place to develop a strong partnership with Leeds City Council.  The Director of Children’s Services from Leeds will take on statutory responsibility for Kirklees Children’s Services when Gill leaves on 1 July 2017.

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5.    Next steps with Development of the Children and Young People’s Plan

See above.

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6.    A.O.B

There was no other business.

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Date of Next Meeting: Thursday, 7 September 2017

Venue:  Huddersfield Town Hall (Meeting Room 1)