Agenda and decisions

To receive apologies for absence of Members who are unable to

attend the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Linda Summers (Co-optee) and Elaine McShane.

The Councillors 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 interests.

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.

All items were considered in public session.

The Committee 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 Panel will consider a report giving an update on the number and age of children in care. 

Contact Officer: Steve Comb, Head of Corporate Parenting (Sufficiency)

(1)  The Panel noted the report on Number and Age of Children in Care and thanked Steve Comb for his contributions.

(2)  That officers continue to monitor the stability of the data for looked after children less than 2 years old.

The Panel will consider a report giving an update on repeat referrals and second time on Care Protection plan.

Contact Officer: Elaine McShane, Service Director (Family Support and Child Protection)

(1)  The Panel noted the report on repeat referrals and second time on Care Protection Plan and thanked Steve Comb and Tom Brailsford for their contributions.

(2)  That the Panel consider a future report giving more detail on child referrals of domestic violence/abuse, including what impact this was having on young people and information on the origins of the referrals. 

(3)  That the Panel consider a report outlining the results of the research undertaken by Professor Thorpe assessing how the front door has developed and is performing including responses to child protection enquiries and referrals.

(4)  That the Panel consider a future update outlining what support is put into place for children and young people once their Child Protection Plan finishes.

The Panel will consider a report giving an update on the Early Support Partnership.

Contact Officer: Michelle Wheatcroft, Head of Service (Early Support)

(1)  The Panel noted the report on the Early Support Partnership and thanked Michelle Wheatcroft and Jo-Anne Sanders for their contributions.

(2)  That the Panel consider data and analysis on the key areas of the Early Support approach when it was available.

(3)  That the Panel consider information at a future meeting regarding how the intervention work being carried out could have an impact in reducing the risks of tensions within families and how this might impact in terms of repeat referrals, children coming into care and child protection plans.

(4)  That the Panel consider information giving further detail on the outcomes of all referrals to Family Group Conferencing or the reasons why these may not have been successful. 

The Panel will receive a verbal update on Almondbury Community School and the transitional arrangements for school places from September 2020.

Contact Officer: Jo-Anne Sanders, Service Director (Learning and

                          Early Support)

(1)  The Panel noted the progress report on Almondbury Community School and thanked Jo-Anne Sanders for her contributions.

(2)  The Panel agreed to continue to attend future meetings with parents regarding the transition arrangements for children from Almondbury Community School for the school year 2020/21.

(3)  That the Panel consider future updates on the transition arrangements for children from Almondbury Community School for the school year 2020/21 – date to be confirmed.

Members of the panel will consider the work programme and agenda plan for the 2019/20 and will consider issues for inclusion.

Officer: Helen Kilroy, Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer

(1)  That the 2019/20 Agenda Plan and Work Programme for the Children’s Scrutiny Panel be noted and updated as agreed.

(2)  That the Governance Officer be authorised to liaise with officers on agreed actions.