Agenda item

Billie, representing the Children in Care Council delivered a presentation on activities during the summer (for copy of presentation see file of minutes). 

Highlights included the completion of the new edition of the CiCC newsletter and work with Independent Reviewing Officers on the Care Plan journey.  The success of the Artstops project continues to attract an increasing number of participants and steps are being taken to expand the project’s reach.

Billie spoke of a young person who is working with Durham Constabulary to build relationships with young people in children’s homes.  Robert Johnson, IIC Project Manager, informed the Panel that the hope is to extend the project and he spoke of how the work is proving beneficial for both the Constabulary and the young person involved.  The Vice-Chair spoke anecdotally of very positive feedback on the impact of the young person.

Billie explained that the education fun fund is continuing to support young people to use pupil premium funding in creative ways to help with school work, learn new skills and achieve their goals.

Councillor Miller remarked on how much he had enjoyed the recent Children in Care Council meeting and he added that he would like Corporate Parenting Panel agendas to mirror the issues raised by the young people at the joint Children in Care Council / Corporate Parenting Panel meetings.  Jodie Henderson, Practice Lead for Children and Young People’s Services, agreed that Corporate Parenting Panel agendas should include items of business led by the young people themselves and also include items of business which provide assurance that the Panel is fulfilling its duties towards children looked after and care leavers.  The Practice Lead advised that work is taking place to increase involvement in Children in Care Council meetings to ensure that they are representative of all children looked after in Durham.