Agenda item

Feedback from joint CICC / CPP Meeting - Presentation of Head of Children's Social Care

Minutes:

The Head of Children’s Social Care delivered a presentation summarising the key themes discussed at the joint Children in Care / Corporate Parenting Panel meeting (for copy of presentation see file of minutes).

 

As a result of the young people’s comments regarding the family time venues, a review of the facilities will be carried out and more venues will be investigated such as community venues to provide local and convenient venues.  An update on this work will be provided to the Panel in due course.

 

 

With regard to support for care leavers, the young people are keen to increase apprenticeships, employment opportunities and access to interviews within the Council.  They also discussed the financial challenges faced on leaving care, the emotional aspects of the transition and the barriers that lack of access to transport can create.  Members noted that the scheme to assist young people with the cost of driving lessons had been suspended during the pandemic and whilst this has resumed, there is now a long waiting list of young people waiting to access the scheme.

 

The young people also discussed how they can work with the Panel to continue to raise the profile of young people looked after, improve their experiences at school and provide them with support in their communities. 

 

The Head of Children’s Social Care explained that work will be done with the Children in Care Council to develop an action plan and bi-monthly meetings will be held to discuss progress on these themes.  An update will be provided at the next joint meeting in March and a full update will be provided to Panel in April 2022.

 

In response to Councillor Miller’s earlier comment regarding having more joint meetings, the Head of Children’s Social Care explained that the joint meetings are currently scheduled to take place twice per year and the meetings are administered by the young people who also decide on the topics for discussion.

 

Councillor Miller commented that the issue of stigma was a focal point for discussion at the joint meeting and he had highlighted the good work of the Children in Care Council at the full Council meeting which was held on the day after the joint meeting.  He suggested that the Council should give consideration to issuing a press release to show their commitment and pride in the county’s young people.  The Chair agreed this suggestion should be discussed with officers.

 

Caitlyn reiterated the importance of the use of language and how professional terms, which are often used subconsciously, may have negative connotations, such as the word ‘vulnerable’.  Caitlyn explained that the term in often used, however, young people looked after do not feel this term is relevant to them as they have a circle of support around them and feel safe, not vulnerable.

 

Councillor Hunt spoke of a young person she had spoken to at the event who had expressed a wish to have more family time. 

 

The Head of Children’s Social Care explained that decisions in respect of each young person are made at multiagency meetings and if the young person is of an appropriate age, they are involved in the decision making process. The service endeavours to ensure the voice of the child is heard and investigates specific issues. 

 

 

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