Venue: Meeting Room 3 - Town Hall, Huddersfield. View directions
Contact: Jodie Harris Email: jodie.harris@kirklees.gov.uk
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Membership of the Board/Apologies To receive apologies for absence from those Members who are unable to attend the meeting.
Minutes: The Board noted that Joel Hanna had been appointed as the Head of Service for Corporate Parenting and Children’s Residential Services and that Ophelia Rix the previous Head of Service for Children Looked After and Care Leavers be thanked for her contributions and support to the work of the Board.
Apologies were received from Councillor Karen Allison and Sara Miles, Head of Safeguarding and Quality Assurance.
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Minutes of Previous Meeting PDF 379 KB To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on the 24 October 2023. Minutes: The Board considered the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2023.
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 24 October 2023 be approved as a correct record.
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Declaration of Interests PDF 20 KB Members will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have any disclosable pecuniary interests or any other interests, which may prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items. Minutes: No interests were declared.
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Admission of the Public Most agenda items take place in public. This only changes where there is a need to consider exempt information, as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. You will be informed at this point which items are to be recommended for exclusion and to be resolved by the Board. Minutes: All Items were held in public session.</AI5><AI6></AI2>
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Deputations/Petitions The Board will receive any petitions and/or 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 submit a petition at the meeting relating to a matter on which the body has powers and responsibilities.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Members of the Public must submit a deputation in writing, at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting and shall subsequently be notified if the deputation shall be heard. A maximum of four deputations shall be heard at any one meeting. Minutes: There were no deputations or petitions received.
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Public Question Time To receive any public questions.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, the period for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.
Any questions must be submitted in writing at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting Minutes: There were no questions received from members of the public |
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Service Acknowledgements and Awards The Board will receive a verbal update in respect of Service acknowledgements and awards.
Contacts:
Joel Hanna, Head of Service Corporate Parenting and Children's Residential services
Minutes: The Board received a verbal update in respect of the nomination of 3 Kirklees Social Workers for the National Social Worker of the year awards presented by Joel Hanna, Head of Service for Children Looked After and Care Leavers.
The Board noted that it was important to celebrate and recognise the work of all social workers and expressed their congratulations to the 3 nominees and the winner of the overall social worker of the year award.
RESOLVED: The Board noted the update, service acknowledgement and awards.
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The Board will receive a verbal update.
Contacts:
Joel Hanna, Head of Service Corporate Parenting and Children's Residential services
Minutes: The Board received a verbal update in respect of service structure and portfolio arrangements presented byJoel Hanna, Head of Service for Children Looked After and Care Leavers.
Joel Hanna explained that his role would be undertaking responsibility for Corporate Parenting and the Social Work teams and Care leaving service along with retaining responsibility for the residential estate and the Head of Homes for Children was to assume responsibility for fostering and sufficiency.
RESOLVED: The Board noted the Service Updates.
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Children's Performance Highlight Report PDF 634 KB The Board will consider a report giving key highlights from the latest performance monitoring data for the Children’s Service.
Contacts:
Joel Hanna, Head of Service, Children Looked After, Care Leavers Residential Care Homes Vicky Metheringham, Service Director, Family Support and Child Protection Louise Hallas, Virtual School Headteacher Gill Addy, Designated Nurse for Looked After Children Ian Mottershaw, Head of Service –Contextual Safeguarding and Y.E.S, Family Support and Child Protection
Minutes: The Board considered the latest Children’s Performance Highlights Report in respect of the performance monitoring data for Children’s Services presented by: Joel Hanna, Head of Service for Children Looked After and Care Leavers, Louise Hallas Virtual School Headteacher, Gill Addy, the Designated Nurse for Looked After Children and Care Leavers, Stewart Horn, Head of Children’s Integrated Commissioning, Vicky Metheringham, Service Director - Family Support and Child Protection and Ian Mottershaw, Head of Contextual Safeguarding Service and Y.E.S. The following key points were highlighted:
· In relation to Children Entering Care, Children in Care and Placement Stability a breakdown of the 72 children were placed outside of Kirklees /more than 20 miles from their home address was to be provided to the Board to show where young people may be living with family and kinship carers. · In relation to education outcomes, 100% of PEPs were completed within the Summer Term. Every young person was allocated to a member of the experienced Virtual School Team and their attendance, progress and attainment were reviewed enabling challenge and support in a timely manner and for all relevant interventions to be put in place. · In relation to children looked after health data,progress being made to address the challenges faced by the Service included; bench marking across West Yorkshire, some change in working patterns including a reduction in cross-boundary working, and conversations were being held to prioritise clinicians and service delivery to increase capacity. A commitment to additional resources had been secured from the ICB and from the Local authority to enable the Looked After Health team to carry our Review Health Assessment to improve performance. Older children coming into care commonly had additional support needs and work had been done to explore if other more specialist services may be better placed to take on the IHA for this cohort.
In the discussion to follow, questions and comments were invited from Board ... view the full minutes text for item 9. |
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Kirklees Children Looked After and Care Leavers Annual Health Report PDF 1 MB The Board will consider the Kirklees Children Looked After and Care Leavers Annual Health Report April 2022 – March 2023.
Contact: Gill Addy, Designated Nurse for Looked after children
Minutes: The Board considered the Kirklees Children Looked After and Care Leavers Annual Health Report (April 2022-March 2023) presented by Gill Addy Designated Nurse. It was explained that the reporting period covered recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, and there were some challenges to services as a result. It was also highlighted that:
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Update on Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire PDF 777 KB The Board will consider a report setting out an update on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.
Contacts:
Noushin Mostowfi, Service Manager Emotional Well-Being Service Rachael Johnson, MST Supervisor
Minutes: Joel Hanna, Head of Service for Children Looked After and Care Leavers presented a report setting out an update on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). It was noted that: · All Local Authorities were required to provide information on the emotional and behavioural health of looked after children. · SDQ’s were introduced in 2008 as a screening tool to assist in measuring the emotional and behavioural health of children and young people. · The SDQ is a clinically validated brief behavioural screening questionnaire for use with 4–17-year-olds or 2-4 year olds. · The data was collected through the SDQ and a summary figure for each child (the total difficulties score) was the outcome measure used for tracking the emotional and behavioural difficulties of children looked after at a national level. · The Kirklees return rate was below the national average, and there had been a reduction in the total number of returned SDQ’s over the past three years, with last year’s being the lowest. · There had been a slight rise in the number of ‘high’ SDQ scores returned by carer this year. · This suggested that carers were reporting more concerns on fewer looked after children. · The ‘satisfactory’ and ‘borderline’ rates remained largely consistent overall. · The SDQ working group had been working towards the initial goal to increase the return rate from carers of children looked after to above 80% (currently 65%).
In the discussion to follow, questions and comments were invited from Board Members, with the following issues being covered:
RESOLVED: The Board noted the Updates on Strength & Difficulties Questionnaire.
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Summary Annual report on Complaints and Compliments PDF 218 KB The Board will consider the AnnualSummary Compliments,RepresentationsandComplaintsreportfor KirkleesChildren’s Social Care (April 2022-March 2023).
Contact:
Nick Libell, Service Manager Children and Families Additional documents: Minutes: The Board considered the Compliments and Complaints Service Annual Summary 2022-23which was presented by Nick Libell, Service Manager – Children and Families.
Nick Libell advised that the purpose of the report was to inform the Board of compliments and complaints in relation to children looked after during the period of 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023. It was advised that:
In the discussion to follow, questions and comments were invited from Board Members, with the following issues being covered:
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Virtual School Governing Body Update The Board will receive a verbal update in respect of the Virtual School Governing Body.
Contact: Louise Hallas, Virtual School Headteacher
Minutes: The Board considered a verbal update in respect of the Virtual School Governing Body.
Councillor Elizabeth Reynolds the Chair of the Governing Body introduced the item highlighting that the Governing Body had been developing a plan to refresh its support and challenge function. The action plan identified attendance, engagement, attainment and ECHP’s as key priority areas.
Louise Hallas, Virtual School Headteacher further advised that at its last meeting the Governing Body considered:
RESOLVED: The Board noted the Virtual School Draft Headteacher Report and it was agreed that a report showing a breakdown of recorded unauthorised absences be provided to the Board.
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Children's Ambition Board Update The Board will receive a verbal update in relation to the Children’s Ambition Board.
Contacts: Kieran Lord, Interim Service Director (Resources, Improvement and Partnerships) Vicky Metheringham, Service Director (Family Support and Child Protection)
Minutes: The Board considered a verbal update in relation to the last meeting of the Childrens Ambition Board presented by Kieran Lord, Interim Service Director - Resources, Improvements and Partnerships and Jo-Anne Sanders, Service Director Learning and Early Support.
During its last meeting the Board considered highlights in performance for social care, exclusions/suspensions, strengths, and improvements. The Board also considered its future purpose, and it was agreed for there to be a key focus on improving outcomes for children with SEND moving forwards.
RESOLVED: The Board noted the Children Ambition Board Update |
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Updates from Board Members on Interaction with Services The Board will consider verbal updates from Board Members in relation to progress and key issues following interaction with Services and partners to challenge the role of the Corporate Parent.
Contact: Jodie Harris, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer
Minutes: The Board considered verbal updates from Board Members in relation to progress and key issues following interaction with Services and partners to challenge the role of the Corporate Parent.
The Chair noted attendance at:
Councillor Elizabeth Reynolds reported that she had attended the Foster Carer Christmas celebration, the West Yorkshire launch of Project Hope and the Kirklees Top 100 employer launch. It was noted that the Project Hope and Kirklees Top 100 employer events were well attended and a strong commitment to supporting young people was demonstrated through likeminded partners and local employers coming together.
Jo-Anne Sanders, Service Director Learning and Early Support visited Woodley School and College where pupils had been working with the Councils Our Voice Team to input their views into what they would like to see in their new school. It was positive to listen to the young people and see them receive their feedback in respect of the architects design.
RESOLVED: The Board noted theUpdates from Board Members on Interaction with Services.
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Corporate Parenting Board Next Steps The Board will receive a verbal update with regards to the next steps for the Corporate Parenting Board.
Contacts: Joel Hanna, Head of Service, Children Looked After, Care Leavers Residential Care Homes Vicky Metheringham, Service Director, Family Support and Child Protection
Minutes: The Board considered a verbal update in respect of the next steps for the Corporate Parenting Board presented by Joel Hanna, Head of Service for Children Looked After and Care Leavers. It was advised that upon request from the Local Authority a government advisor had reviewed care leaving services. Advice provided included plans to strengthen the Corporate Parenting Board by widening representation on the board, and by holding more powers to hold partners and the Council to account.
In the discussion to follow, questions and comments were invited from Board Members, with the following issues being covered:
RESOLVED: The Board noted the Corporate Parenting Next Steps, and it was agreed that: 1. ‘Voice of Children Looked After and Care leavers’ be added to all future Corporate Parenting Board meeting agenda’s as a standard item. 2. The Governance Officer would provide Joel Hanna with a list of group business managers in relation to presenting on the principles and role of the Corporate Parent at group meetings.
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Corporate Parenting Board Agenda Plan PDF 553 KB The Board will consider the agenda plan for 2023/24.
Contact:
Jodie Harris, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer
Minutes: The Board considered the agenda plan for 2023/24.
RESOLVED: The Board noted the agenda plan for 2023/24 .
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