Agenda item

The Panel received a presentation from Dawn Wilson, Senior Commissioning Officer which included information on the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015, commissioned providers and independent children’s residential homes in England and Scotland (for copy of presentation see file of minutes).

Councillor Scott suggested that it would be beneficial for new Members to accompany more experienced Members on visits initially, and that this would be particularly useful when visiting the Secure Centre. 

Members discussed that they would like to visit homes more frequently.  The Panel noted that they had previously agreed that the frequency of visits should be quarterly and that this should be adhered to.  It was acknowledged that these are homes for the young people and that visits should not impose.

In a response to a request from Councillor Grant, the Senior Commissioning Officer agreed to provide information on the number of young people moving into and out of homes, on a monthly basis.

Councillor Crathorne asked how information is provided to the young people in Children’s Homes and the Senior Commissioning Officer clarified that information is provided on corporate parents, ward councillors and independent visitors, on display within homes and online.

In response to a question from Councillor Richardson, the Senior Commissioning Officer advised that visits should take place with the allocated Commissioning Officer, however, on occasions when it is not possible to arrange a joint visit, Members may attend visits alone following prior discussion and agreement with the Commissioning Officer.  Members comments from the visit must be shared with the Commissioning Offer for inclusion in the Regulation 44 report.

Members agreed that homes allocated for Regulation 44 visits should remain the same for a further year, for continuity purposes, given that there have been some changes recently to the management structures within residential settings.

It was agreed that the briefing note outlining the role of members in Regulation 44 visits, which was previously circulated should be recirculated.