Agenda and decisions

The Chair will welcome everyone to the meeting and note a change to the Membership which will be reported verbally at the meeting. The Chair will also announce any apologies received.       

Apologies from Councillor Karen Allison, Christine Bennett, Julie Bragg,Tom Brailsford, Barry Lockwood, Sara Miles, Melanie Tiernan and Janet Tolley were noted.

The Board will consider the minutes of the Corporate Parenting Board on the 19th June 2019.

(1)  That the minutes of the Corporate Parenting Board held on 19th June 2019 be agreed as a correct record, subject to the amendment of resolution (2) of item 7 to read:

‘The Board agreed that arrangements should be made for substance misuse workers from Change Grow Live to visit the new drop-in facility in Dewsbury’.

(2)  That the Statement of Purpose for the Fostering Service and the young persons’ draft version of the Fostering Service Statement of Purpose be circulated to Board Members (ref: resolutions (2) and (3), item 10).

(3)  That details of the foster carer recruitment events be circulated to Board Members.

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 were received.

The Board will view a short animation produced by Adopted Teenagers giving important key messages to social workers, teachers and adoptive parents about what had helped them throughout their childhood into adulthood as adopted people.

Contact:         Suzanne Whiteley (One Adoption)

That the animation be welcomed as an invaluable insight into the things that adopted teenagers had identified as having helped them, and also those that had not helped them, throughout their childhood and into early adulthood.

That the animation should be seen by all social workers, social work managers and carers.

That it be noted that the animation is available on the PAC-UK and Adopteens websites and Sarah Johal will forward a link to Board Members.

The Board will consider the report from Ofsted on the findings of the inspection of Children’s Services in June 2019.  

Contact:         Steve Comb, Head of Corporate Parenting

Julie Bragg, Head of Corporate Parenting

That the update report and the progress being made be noted.

The Board will consider a report giving key highlights on Performance Monitoring data for the Children’s Service up to July 2019. 

Contact:         Steve Comb, Head of Corporate Parenting

Julie Bragg, Head of Corporate Parenting

Janet Tolley, Virtual School Head Teacher

(1) That the Children’s Performance Highlight Report (July 2019) be noted.

(2) That, in a future report, individual authority figures be provided for the number of children in care per 10,000 child population for those statistical neighbours regarded as being similar and close in terms of socio-economic status to Kirklees.

The Board will consider an overview of the number of children in care.

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

That the report giving an overview of the number and profile of children in care be noted.

The Board will consider a report giving information on the number of children and young people Privately Fostered in the District on an annual basis. 

Contact:         Andy Quinlan, Service Manager (Fostering)

(1) That the annual report in relation to private fostering in Kirklees be noted.

(2) That it be acknowledged that the Virtual School will play a part in raising awareness/training in respect of private fostering arrangements.

The Board will consider an annual report on the health of looked after children, covering the period 1st April 2018 – 31st March 2019.

Contact:         Gill Addy, Designated Nurse for Looked after Children

(1) That the Annual Health Report for Kirklees Looked After Children, for the period April 2018 to March 2019, be noted.

(2) That an update be provided to the Chair in respect of the use of secure electronic communication with carers in relation to the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).

The Board will consider an annual report on the Youth Offending Team outlining the level of offending by Looked after Children, and the improvement in outcomes for Looked After Children (LAC) subject to an intervention with the Youth Offending Team (YOT).

Contact:         Richard Smith, Youth Offending Team Manager

(1) That the report in relation to the level of offending by Looked After Children and the improvement in outcomes for those subject to an intervention with the Youth Offending Team be noted and welcomed.

(2) That arrangements be made for training to be provided for members of the Kirklees Fostering Network in respect of the restorative approach/use of mediation.

The Panel will consider the agenda plan for 2019/20 municipal year.

Contact:         Helen Kilroy, Principal Governance & Democratic Engagement Officer

That an item in relation to ‘Staying Put’ and supported board and lodgings be considered for inclusion on the agenda for the December 2019 meeting.

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

-       23rd October 2019, 10am

-       13th December 2019, 10am

-       10th February 2020, 10am

-       9th April 2020, 10am

That the dates of meetings of the Board during the remainder of the 2019/20 municipal year, as set out below, be noted:

-       24th October 2019, 10am

-       13th December 2019, 10am

-       10th February 2020, 10am

-       9th April 2020, 10am

The Board will consider verbal updates from Board Members who will give an update on progress and key issues following interaction with Services and partners to challenge the role of the Corporate Parent.

Contact:         Helen Kilroy, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer

1)    That the updates from Board Members in relation to their interaction with services and partners to challenge their role as a Corporate Parent be noted.

2)    That the Kirklees Fostering Network liaise with the Service Manager (Fostering) to explore potential linkages with the National Citizen Service scheme.

3)    That it be noted that Service Directors have been asked to attend future meetings of the Board to discuss what their service does/could do to contribute to the role of corporate parent.

4)    That the Kirklees Fostering Network liaise with the Head of Corporate Parenting in relation to arranging a visit to the No.12 drop-in facility in Dewsbury for the Teenage Support Group.

5)    That it be noted that Ward Councillors who are interested in visiting the No.12 drop-in facility in Dewsbury should contact the Leaving Care Team to make the necessary arrangements.