Agenda item

The Panel considered a report of the Head of Children’s Social Care which updated on the work of the Looked after Children (LAC) Strategic Partnership which was established to fulfil one of the priorities in the Corporate Parenting Strategy

(for copy of report see file of minutes).

The Head of Children’s Social Care referred to the development of services to enable young people to remain at home, with their families, where it is safe to do so, highlighting the Pause project, which is a pilot project working with mothers who have previously had children removed from their care, to provide early intervention and support.  Councillor McKeon requested that an update on the Pause project be provided to the Panel in due course.

The Panel were pleased to note that the Service has recently opened a new provision for young people requiring support out of hours.  Councillor Jewell referred to the accommodation that had previously been available at Aycliffe to help care leavers with their transition from care to independent living.  The Head of Children’s Social Care explained that the ‘Staying Close’ initiative involves working with housing colleagues to place care leavers in close proximity of their former care home, to provide support on leaving care.

The Chair congratulated the Service for their hard work and thanked the Head of Children’s Social Care for the comprehensive report.

Resolved

That the recommendations in the report be approved.