SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT
COMMITTEE – JANUARY 2004
REPORT
OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING
REASON FOR SELECT
COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
On 17th December 2003, the Executive Committee considered
and subsequently approved a joint report from the two Portfolio Holders for
Social Services and Housing and Education and Community Development recommending
a series of key steps in respect of services to children and young people.
These were generated as a result of the publication of the Green Paper – ‘Every
Child Matters’ and, in recognition of the work already underway within the
Council and with partners to bring services closer together for the benefit of
children, young people and their families.
This work, which represents an ambitious agenda has been developed in
the interim by senior officers within the Council and is detailed in the attached.
It represents a major development for the Council.
ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE
To Debate and Make Recommendations
BACKGROUND
To the Island and, in particular the Council the publication of the
Green Paper – ‘Every Child Matters’ captures the direction of travel already in
hand and the ambition held by Members and Officers for further progress in
meeting the needs of children and young people and their families.
However, consideration as to the future organisation of Council-run services
to children and young people provides an opportunity and necessity to review
other service areas. As such, by reviewing services to children and young
people many areas of Council activity are influenced. The attached paper
describes a number of these.
RELEVANT PLANS,
POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The Green Paper – ‘Every Child Matters’
CONSULTATION
PROCESS
These are detailed
in the attached chronology of events.
There are significant financial and legal implications and these will
need further work before being detailed further. It is perhaps important to
note that the exercise of creating a “Children’s Directorate” is not being
undertaken as a savings exercise. Further advice is being sought in respect of
the responsibilities of Chief Education Officer and Director of Social
Services.
APPENDICES
ATTACHED
A Children’s Services Directorate and Other Matters
Chronology of Events list
The Victoria Climbie Inquiry
The Green Paper – Every Child Matters
Green Paper on Children’s Services – “Every Child Matters – Report to
Executive 17th December 2004
Contact Point: Glen Garrod,
Strategic Director Social Services & Housing, telephone 520600 x 2225,
David Pettitt, Strategic Director Education and Community Development,
telephone 823400
Portfolio Holder for Social Services & Housing