Agenda item

The Board will consider the annual report of the Children’s Rights Team relating to the services delivered by the Children’s Rights Team during the period of 1^st April 2020 to 31^st March 2021.

Contacts:

Anna Gledhill, Service Manager, Quality Assurance  and Safeguarding

Melanie Tiernan, Service Manager – Family Support and Child Protection

The Board considered the Annual Report from the Children’s Rights Team  relating to service delivery from 1^st April 2020 to 31^st March 2021 which was presented by Melanie Tiernan, Service Manager, Family Support and Child Protection.

Melanie Tiernan explained that the key priorities for the Children’s Rights Team in 2021/22 were to:

·         Increase children and young people’s participation in Looked After Reviews and Child Protection conferences.

·         Increase membership of  both the Children in Care Council and Care Leavers Forum, to ensure that the voices of children and young people inform future service delivery and that there is representation of all groups of young people.

·         Work with others across Children’s services to capture children’s voices and experiences and to help support participation inform service development and design.

·         Introduce improved quality assurance mechanisms, to support the development of the Children’s Rights Service and the team.

·         Develop the Independent Visitor Scheme to provide a consistently high service to children, young people, and volunteers

In relation to point 9.1 in the report , under Child Protection Conference Advocacy, the Board asked a question as to why no referral from a social worker was listed as a reason for children not been seen. In response, Melanie Tiernan reassured the Board that instances of no referral were always  followed up by a social worker and explained that the reason given may have been because the referral wasn’t received on time. Further to this, it was advised that work was been done to make the referral process smoother and more efficient. The Board noted the positive feedback given by young people highlighting that this showed the value having an independent visitor can provide. 

In response to this, Anna Gledhill, Service Manager ,  Quality Assurance and Social Work Practice Lead, advised that part of the campaign was increasing the publicity of the Independent Visitors work and the positive outcomes achieved. The Board welcomed this approach. In the discussion to follow,  the Board suggested that as a part of recruiting volunteers to be Independent Visitors , that information about being an independent visitor  could be advertised to the Councils internal retirement.

The Board responded to a number of questions submitted in a letter to the Chair of the Board from the National Independent Visitor Network (via Barnardo’s) in relation to  reviewing and monitoring Independent Visitor provision , ensuring that statutory responsibilities are met and that children in care are receiving the support they are entitled to. It was agreed that Anna Gledhill would respond to the letter reflecting the discussion held during the meeting of the Board in response to the questions.

The Chair of the Board verbally reported under this item, that Sanna Mahmood, Care Leavers Advocate – Family Support and Child Protection,  would be resigning as the Boards standing care leaver representative. The Board thanked Sanna for her time and valuable contributions to the Board. 

To follow a further discussion was held about how best to represent the voice of  care leavers during meetings of the Board. Melanie Tiernan suggested that a new care leaver be appointed as the standing representative, alongside periodical submissions from the Children in Care Council and Care Leavers Forum which would showcase their work , highlight issues raised by young people as well as representing the collective voice of children and young people in care.

It was also suggested that members of the Board visit meetings of the Children in Care Council and Care Leavers Forum. The Board welcomed this suggestion and agreed that periodically 1 or 2 different Board members should be invited to these meetings and requested that Melanie Tiernan provide dates of future meetings to the Board.

Social media platforms were also highlighted as a mechanism for engagement with young people. A discussion concerning privacy and safeguarding followed and in response to Board members concerns, Sanna Mahmood  advised that Facebook discussions could be made confidential by using a closed group. The Board agreed this was a work in progress and that it was important to be careful about the information that is shared  on social media and that use of a closed Facebook group may be the safest method to use if taken forward. 

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C?               RESOLVED –

1.            The Board noted the Children’s Rights Team  Annual Report.

2.            The Board thanked Sanna Mahmood, Care Leavers Advocate – Family Support and Child Protection for her contributions to the work of the Board in her role as care leaver representative.  

3.            It was agreed that information about volunteering as an Independent Visitor  be added if possible, to the Councils internal retirement course.

4.            It was agreed that a written response begiven to the National Independent Visitor Network reflecting the Boards responses to their questions.

5.            That the dates of future meetings of the Children in Care Council and Care Leavers Forum be provided to the Board and that 1 to 2 members would be invited to attend these meetings periodically.

6.            That the matter of Care Leaver representation on the Board and the use of social media be a work in progress considering suggestions made.