Agenda and minutes

The evacuation procedure was noted.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 11 August 2023.

AGREED the minutes of the meeting held on 11 August 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Board considered a report which provided an overview of the Local Government Association (LGA) Corporate Parenting Peer Review which would be taking place during November and December 2023.

The peer review would be undertaken in partnership with the LGA and would comprise a self-assessment, followed by a bespoke, tailored package of support to address the issues identified. The self-assessment process would be informed by members of the Corporate Parenting Board through a series of facilitated workshops to be held during November 2023. Children and young people’s voice and lived experience would also inform the self-assessment. The themes of the self-assessment were as follows:

•         Health and Wellbeing of Children in Care and Care Leavers

•         The Voice of Children in Care and Care Leavers

•         Aspiration and Achievement

•         Quality, Planning, Stability and Permanence

•         Care Leavers and Transition

•         Governance and Board Effectiveness

Following completion of the self-assessment, a bespoke programme of support would be developed which would address the key issues identified and support the development of the Corporate Parenting Strategy priorities and approach.

Members acknowledged the need to widen the membership of the Board and include representatives from all relevant partners and children and young people. Decisions around membership changes would be made following the Peer Review.

RESOLVED that the proposed approach be endorsed.

The Interim Director of Children’s Services reiterated the importance of the voice of the child and lived experience and outlined actions that were being taken to strengthen engagement.

The Board acknowledged that they need to demonstrate that the views of young people were being acted on and that this should include all young people and groups including SEND and Asylum Seekers.

RESOLVED that the update be noted.

The Board considered a report which provided an overview of the arrangements for supported accommodation for care leavers aged over 18 in Stockton-on-Tess.  Specifically:

•         A summary on the use of supported accommodation services including a snapshot of young people accessing the service and assurances around suitability for these young people

•         An update on monitoring and assurances arrangements

•         Sufficiency and commissioning updates, including areas of need and development to ensure appropriate services for young people

•         An overview of the introduction of Ofsted regulations for 16- and 17-year-old supported accommodation services, and a corporate approach to addressing fee uplift requests

The Board discussed some examples of the type of support that was provided to care leavers in other Local Authority areas. This included arrangements with developers to donate a proportion of new build properties and show home furniture, help with driving lessons, recruitment and council tax exemptions. The need for a dedicated service and consistent offer was acknowledged and a vision meeting to learn from outstanding Local Authorities was supported.

RESOLVED that update be noted.

RESOLVED that this item be deferred to the next meeting.

The Board were advised that the Forward Plan would be reviewed following the Peer Review.

RESOLVED that update be noted.