Agenda and decisions

The Chair will welcome everyone to the meeting and announce any apologies received.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and apologies had been received from Cllrs Allison, Loonat, Lawson and Jo-Anne Sanders.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 11^th March 2019.

(1)  That an amendment be made to the minutes on page 3, section 8 “The Children’s Service had a C&K Careers Advisor in the Leaving Care Service who would be involved in plans to upskill other officers on giving careers advice”.

(2)  The minutes of the meeting of the Board held on the 11th March 2019 were agreed as a correct record.

(3)  That the Board consider a revised version of the Voice of the Child Development Plan in June 2019.

(4)  The Board agreed to receive outlook appointment invites for the events to be held during Fostering Fortnight 13th to 26th May 2019.

The Board Members will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have disclosable pecuniary interests, which would prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items, or any other interest.

No interests were declared.

Most debates take place in public. This only changes when there is a need to consider certain issues, for instance, commercially sensitive information or details concerning an individual. You will be told at this point whether there are any items on the Agenda which are to be discussed in private.

It was agreed that all agenda items would be held in public session.

The Board will receive any petitions and hear any deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also hand in a petition at the meeting but that petition should relate to something on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 (2), Members of the Public should provide at least 24 hours’ notice of presenting a deputation.  

No deputations or petitions.

The Board will review its Terms of Reference and Membership prior to them being presented for adoption to Annual Council in May 2019.

Contact: Helen Kilroy, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer

That the revised Terms of Reference be submitted to Annual Council with a recommendation for approval.

The Board will consider a verbal update on key issues from Ofsted and the Improvement Board.                                                                (10 am)

Contact: Steve Comb, Head of Corporate Parenting (Safeguarding)

The Board noted the update on Ofsted and Improvement Board and thanked Steve Comb for his contributions.

The Board will consider a report giving key highlights on Performance Monitoring data for the Children’s Service in February 2019.          (10.05 am)        

Contact: Steve Comb, Head of Corporate Parenting (Safeguarding)

   Janet Tolley, Virtual School Head Teacher

(1)  The Board noted the Children’s Performance Highlight Report (February 2019) and thanked Steve Comb, Janet Tolley and Gill Addy for their contributions.

(2)  That officers consider and address any technical queries relating to liquid logic and the recording of data and that any issues are highlighted in future reports to the Board.

(3)  That future reports include information outlining what action has been taken to resolve any breaches relating to Review health assessments.

(4)  That the Board consider the Department for Education LAC outcomes data 2018 SFR analysis at the next meeting in June 2019.

The Board will consider an overview of the number of children in care (snapshot) including age profile.                                                     (10.50 am)

Contact: Julie Bragg, Head of Service (Children in Care Social Work)

The Board noted the report on Number and age of Children in Care and thanked Steve Comb and Julie Bragg for their contributions.

The Board will consider a report on the number of children in care not in full time education or have attendance of less than 90%.                              (11.10 am)

Contact: Janet Tolley, Virtual School Head Teacher

(1)  The Board noted the report on the number of children and young people in care not in full time education or had attendance of less than 90%.

(2)  That the Board consider a future progress update on the looked after children who had achieved 80-90% attendance.

The Board will consider a progress report on Risk and Vulnerability. 

                                                                                                (10.15 am)

Contact: Ophelia Rix, Head of Safeguarding and Quality Assurance

The Board noted the report on Risk and Vulnerabilities and thanked Sara Miles and Ophelia Rix for their contributions. 

The Board will consider the annual Statement of Purpose for Registered Children’s Homes.                                                                   (10.30 am)

Contact: Laura Caunce, Residential Service Manager (Family Support and Child Protection)

(1)  The Board noted the Annual report on the Statement of Purpose for registered children’s Homes and thanked Claire Morgan and Steve Comb for their contributions.

(2)  That the Board consider regular progress updates from the Residential Managers of the Children’s Homes on the improvements and actions being taken following Ofsted reports.

(3)  The Board agreed to consider a future report outlining what Children’s Homes would look like in the future – date to be determined.

(4)  The Board agreed that Sexual Health Outreach should be added into the Statement of Purpose for Children’s Homes as one of the key partners.

The Board will consider a report on Grandparents Special Guardianship. (10.55 am)

Contact: Julie Bragg, Head of Service (Children in Care and Care Leavers)

(1)  The Board noted the report on Grandparents Special Guardianship written by One Adoption West Yorkshire and thanked Julie Bragg (Kirklees) for her contributions. 

(2)  That the Board be invited to any future engagement events for Grandparents Plus. 

The Panel will consider the proposed areas of focus and activity for the Board during the 2019/20 municipal year and the draft agenda plan for 2019/20.         

Contact: Helen Kilroy, Principal Governance & Democratic Engagement Officer

(1)  The Board agreed to interact with services on their role as the corporate parent and voice of the child and report back to each meeting of the Board.  The Board noted that interaction with services could be in the form of a formal meeting with the service or partner or a telephone conversation.

(2)  The Board noted the list of topic areas for Board Members to champion and agreed to consider again at the first meeting of the Board in the 2019/20 municipal year when elected members on the Board had been agreed following Council AGM in May 2019.

(3)  The Board noted that Strategic Directors had agreed to attend a future meeting of the Board in the 2019/20 municipal year to discuss their role as a corporate parent.

(4)  That the Board consider a report in September 2019 relating to placing sibling groups.

(5)  That the Board consider a report regarding the commitment to care leavers – date to be determined.

The Board will consider verbal updates from Board Members on interaction with Services.

Contact: Helen Kilroy, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer

The Board noted the updates from Board Members on interaction with services.

To note provisional future meeting dates of the Board during the 2019/20 municipal year:

-       19^th June 2019, 10am

-       28^th August 2019, 10 am

-       23^rd October 2019, 10am

-       13^th December 2019, 10am

-       10^th February 2020, 10am

-       9^th April 2020, 10am

The Board noted the provisional dates of meetings in the 2019/20 municipal year:-

-       9th June 2019, 10am

-       28th August 2019, 10am

-       23rd October 2019, 10am

-       13th December 2019, 10am

-       10th February 2020, 10am

-       9th April 2020, 10am