Agenda item

The Panel received the annual summary of the Children Looked After Strategic Partnership (CLASP) for March 2022 to March 2023, presented by the Strategic Manager for Children in our Care (for copy see file of minutes).

The Panel noted the approach is very much multi-agency and the eight strategic priorities are designed to align with the work of the Corporate Parenting Panel.  Members were thanked for their support in the work undertaken to review foster carers’ payments for skills.  Future developments will include a project to increase health passports for young people and the launch of the second Mockingbird hub.  In addition, the young people’s scrutiny panel, which the young people have named ‘Experts Through Experience With Ideas’, will be embedded.

Sarah Neale, Designated Nurse for Children in Care, updated the Panel on developments in mental health support, explaining that the children looked after health needs assessment which had been delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is now being progressed and will link with Public Health work. The work will include input from children looked after, to inform the future plans.

In response to a question on the arrangements for sexual health advice and support, the Designated Nurse clarified that information is provided as part of the universal offer, the annual review health assessment process and support is also provided through the Care Leavers’ Hub.  A working group has been established to focus specifically on vulnerabilities and sexual health and this includes representation from the Designated Nurse.  How to manage sexual health conversations is also part of foster carer training.

It was also noted that, in response to language discussions at Corporate Parenting Panel meetings, the Placement Team is now called the Home Finding Team and Disruption Meetings are now referred to as Next Chapter Meetings.