Agenda item

The Head of Children’s Social Care delivered a presentation on the structure of the Children and Young People’s service including an overview of the support available to children and young people (for copy of presentation see file of minutes).

The presentation included information on Aycliffe Secure Centre which caters for young people for whom a court has determined are required to be placed in secure accommodation.  The Centre has highly skilled staff and offers a range of specialist services including health services, therapeutic services and emotional and behavioural development. 

In response to a question from Councillor Surtees as to how the service provides for unaccompanied asylum seeking children, the Head of Children’s Social Care clarified that children seeking asylum who have no responsible adult to care for them are considered to be children ‘in need’ and are provided for by the Children Looked After and Permanence Team.

The Head of Children’s Social Care demonstrated the ‘Circle of Support’ highlighting the many individuals and services which children and young people looked after will have contact with throughout their time in care, which emphasises the importance of developing strong relationships within the circle of support.