Agenda and draft minutes

The Evacuation procedure was noted.

For transparency purposes and due to frequent references to fostering, in the Board’s papers, Cllr Beall explained that she served on the Fostering Panel, outside her role as a Councillor.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 6 December 2024

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2024 were confirmed as a correct record, subject to the amendment of two typographical errors.

Members considered the Bi Annual Report and Vision of Adoption Tees Valley.

Discussion and key points raised:

·       It was agreed that Life Long Links should connect with Adoption Tees Valley to identify a pathway.

·       Members agreed that it was important that siblings maintained strong contact, if not placed together, and life long links would be helpful in this regard as letterbox contact was less likely to allow siblings to develop a close rapport with each other.

·       It was noted that a children’s guide to adoption was currently being modernised and updated.

·       It was agreed that the Integrated Care Board would link with Adoption Tees Valley, around health issues.

·       Members were provided with details of the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy model that helped families with children who were struggling with emotional issues, such as complex trauma and attachment disorders. The model was being used by Adoption Tees Valley. The Dyadic approach was not accusatory and did not try to shame children into certain ways of behaviour.

RESOLVED that the report and discussion be noted and actioned as appropriate.

The Board received an update on the Lifelong Learning Links Programme.

Discussion and key points:

·       23 young people were involved in the programme.

·       The programme was well known across the Council’s Social Care staff and was having a positive impact

·       Members discussed continuity of funding, of the Programme, and noted that a bid had been submitted to the DfE and a response was awaited. There was potential to acquire funding through the Council’s Powering Our Future Programme, however, having it embedded was the ultimate goal.

·       Reference was made to digitalised memory boxes that everyone involved in a child’s journey could contribute to. There were concerns about long term funding but it was being considered, including in house provision.

·       An independent evaluation of Lifelong Links, by the DfE, would be undertaken at some point to measure the local and national outcomes. Children’s Services would also evaluate the Stockton Programme and collect evidence on its impact.

·       It was important to periodically assess lifelong links, as situations and circumstances could change over time.

RESOLVED that the update and discussion be noted and actioned as appropriate.

Members received a presentation on the Council’s Commissioning and Sufficiency Strategy 2024-2026.

The Board noted the key action of the Strategy:-

·       Redefine the Strategy for Early Help within the Borough

·       Embed a Family Networking Approach

·       Increase Fostering Capacity

·       Develop a Stockton first Approach

·       Develop a clear operating model for internal Children’s Residential Homes

·       Register 2 new Council Care Homes with Ofsted

·       Explore capital and invest to save resources to develop 2 solo children’s homes

·       Increase supported lodgings providers by up to 10 placements

·       Develop a flexible commissioning approach for dispersed supported accommodation options for 16 – 17 year olds

·       Pilot a corporate rent guarantor scheme

·       Work with strategic housing and private and social landlords

·       Support and upskill the Children’s Services workforce

·       Increase short breaks offer

·       Develop a life course approach to supporting transitions for children and young people.

Discussion and key points

·       Members briefly discussed the Mockingbird Approach and how successful it had been in keeping children at home.

·       The Board discussed the continued need for in-house residential provision.

·       There was not an expectation that Personal Advisers would close down cases once a young person reached 21 years old, on the contrary, the principle of continued contact was encouraged.

RESOLVED that the presentation and discussion be noted and actioned where appropriate.

The Board noted that this update had been provided at the last No Limits meeting and would continue to be presented at those meetings, in the future.

The Board noted the Forward Plan.