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 Elaine McShane, Tom Brailsford and Gill Addy.

The Chair welcomed Keith Fielding and Colleen Callaghan from the Kirklees Fostering Network to the Board and noted that they would attend future meetings as a Board member.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 9^th July 2018.

The minutes of the meeting of the Board held on the 9^th July 2018 were agreed as a correct record.

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 hear any questions from the general public.

No questions were received from members of the public.

The Board will consider the revised Terms of Reference and agree the change to the Membership of the Board.                                                        (10.30am)

Contact: Helen Kilroy, Principal Governance

The Board agreed to amend the Membership of the Board to add the Chair of the Children’s Scrutiny Panel, or his/her nominee, to the Board as an ex-officio Member and approved the revised terms of reference for the 2018/19 municipal year.

The Board will consider a verbal update on key issues from Ofsted and the Improvement Board.                                                                         (10.35am)

Contact: Steve Comb, Head of Corporate Parenting

1. The Board noted the update on Ofsted and Improvement Board.

2. The Board agreed to continue to receive regular updates at each meeting.

The Board will consider a verbal update giving key highlights on Performance Monitoring data for the Children’s Service.                                       (10.50am)

Contact: Steve Comb, Head of Corporate Parenting

   Janet Tolley, Virtual School Head Teacher

1. That the verbal updates on Performance within Children’s Services be noted.

2. The Board agreed to consider future updates on the pilot being carried to mentor and provide role modelling for young people in placements and children’s homes, who were experiencing difficulties in attending school.

The Board will consider a report giving an overview of the number of children in care, including the age profile.                                                      (11.00am)

Contact: Julie Bragg, Service Manager (Looked after Children and leaving care)

1. The Board noted the overview report on the number of children in care and thanked Julie Bragg for her contributions.

The Board will consider a draft refreshed foster carer handbook.  (11.10am)

Contact: Andy Quinlan, Acting Service Manager (Fostering)

1. The Board noted the draft foster carer handbook and thanked Andy Quinlan for attending the meeting.

2. The Board agreed that all the comments and feedback from Members of the Board should be taken into account in updating the draft Foster Carer Handbook.

3. The Board agreed that the revised draft of the Foster Carer Handbook should be shared via email with the representatives from the Kirklees Fostering Network and all foster carers for comments before it was finalised.

4. The Board agreed that the comments and feedback from the Foster Carers Business Meeting on the draft Foster Carers Handbook should be included in the revised handbook. 

5. The Board agreed to send any further comments on the draft Foster Carer Handbook direct to Andy Quinlan by the 5^th October.

6. The Board agreed that the Foster Carer Handbook should be reviewed annually and that comments should be sought from the Kirklees Fostering Network and Foster Carers.

The Board will consider an Annual Report on Children’s Rights.    (11.20am)

Contact: Melanie Tiernan, Service Manager (Family Support and Child Protection)

Sara Miles, Service Manager (Family Support and Child Protection)

1. The Board noted the Annual Report on Children’s Rights and thanked Melanie Tiernan and Sara Miles for their contributions.

2. The Board agreed to consider a report in January 2019 giving feedback on the learning being undertaken on capturing the voice and views of young people and the wider family network.

The Board will consider a quarterly report on the Independent visitor scheme.                                                                                           (11.35am)                                                 

Contact: Melanie Tiernan, Service Manager (Family Support and Child Protection)

Sara Miles, Service Manager (Family Support and Child Protection)

1. The Board noted the Annual Report on the Independent Visitors Scheme and thanked Melanie Tiernan and Sara Miles for their contributions.

2. The Board agreed that the Independent Visitors Scheme should be further promoted to reach a wider audience, including the Improvement Board, elected Members and via social media.

3. The Chair of the Board agreed to visit Melanie Tiernan’s Team in Family Support and Child Protection in the near future – date to be determined.

The Board will consider an Annual Report on Youth Offending Team and their work with children in care.                                                                (11.50am)

Contact: Richard Smith, Service Manager (Youth Offending Team)

1. The Board noted the Annual Report on the Youth Offending Team (YOT) and their work with children in care and thanked Richard Smith for his contributions.

2. The Board agreed to consider a report at the November meeting giving comparable data and trends on how many children with a Youth Offending Order were in foster placements and Children’s homes within Kirklees.

3. The Board agreed to consider regular updates from the Youth Offending Team – dates to be determined.

The Board will consider the Care Leavers Local Offer Action Plan. (12.05pm)

Contact: Julie Bragg, Service Manager (Looked after Children and leaving care)

1. The Board noted the Care Leavers Local Offer Action Plan and thanked Julie Bragg for her contributions.

2. The Board agreed to receive details of the launch of the Care Leavers Local Offer in November.

3. The Board agreed that it should further explore if Care leavers could access leisure facilities at a reduced rate.

The Board will consider verbal updates from Board Members on interaction with Services.                                                                                   (12.15pm)

Contact: Helen Kilroy, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer

That the verbal updates from Board Members on interaction with Services be noted.

The Panel will consider the agenda plan for the Corporate Parenting Board for the 2018/19 municipal year. 

Contact: Helen Kilroy, Principal Governance & Democratic Engagement Officer

1. That the Agenda Plan for the Corporate Parenting Board during 2018/19 be noted.

2. That the additional agenda items be added to the agenda plan for the 2018/19 municipal year and amendments be made as agreed.

3. That the Governance Officer be authorised to liaise with officers on agreed actions.

To note future meeting dates of the Board during the 2018/19 municipal year:

-         Monday 19th November 2018, 10.30 am

-         Monday 21st January 2019, 10.30 am

-         Monday 11th March 2019, 10.30 am

-         Monday 15th April 2019, 10.30 am

Monday 19^th November 2018, 10.30am

Monday 21^st January 2018, 10.30am

Monday 11^th March 2018, 10.30am

Monday 15^th April 2018, 10.30am