MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CHILDRENS’ COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON TUESDAY, 30 APRIL 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mr A J Mellor (Chairman), Mrs T M Butchers, Mrs D Gardiner, Mr C R Hancock, Mrs M J Miller, Mr D G Williams
Portfolio Holders :
Mr R G Mazillius, Mrs J L Wareham
Also Present (Non Voting) :
Mr J A Bowker, Mr P D Joyce
1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED :
THAT Mr A J Mellor be elected Chairman for the ensuing year.
2. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2002 be confirmed.
3. VICE CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED :
THAT Mr I Stephens be elected Vice Chairman for the ensuing year.
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mrs D Gardiner declared a Personal Interest in Minute No 7 - Progress on Connexions as her husband was currently employed by that organisation.
5. QUALITY PROTECTS MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN 2002 - 2003
Members were reminded of the background to the Quality Protects Programme which had been launched on 21September 1998, as a 3 year Government programme to improve the management and delivery of services for children. The report of the Strategic Director of Social Services and Housing was received which set out the main elements of the programme. This included 11 national objectives for childrens’ social services which, for the first time, set clear outcomes for the children supported by a range of measurable performance indicators and targets. A further requirement was for all local authorities to submit an annual Quality Protects Management Action Plan (MAP) to the Department of Health for approval. The 2002/03 MAP, submitted at the end of January 2002 showed significant areas of improvement in service delivery and these were detailed in the report.
The Government, during 2002/03 had placed particular emphasis on increasing placement choice and adoption, increased support to care leavers, improved assessment and care planning, listening to the views and wishes of children and young people and enhancing services to children with a disability. The allocation of grant reflected these emphases, particularly in respect of care leavers in the year ahead. It was reported that, in future years, the Quality Protects grant would be subsumed into the SSA. Members were minded that action should be taken to ensure that the financial allocation be ringfenced to enable this important work to continue. The Director referred to a number of key action points summarized in the report which had been determined to consolidate existing initiatives and good practice. The Island’s Corporate Parenting Policy expressed a commitment to the achievement of quality services for all vulnerable children on the Island. The Quality Protects MAP was of key importance in that regard.
In discussion, a member queried the number of children in foster care who had not been assessed. The Strategic Director agreed to provide the member with a written response. Members were made aware of the problems encountered due to staff recruitment and retention. Initiatives were being developed in partnership with Education and Health to facilitate that standards of performance were in line with local and national expectations.
RESOLVED :
THAT the key action points set out in the report be noted and the approach, as outlined, be endorsed.
6. MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME
A member asked a question of the Chairman with regard to the feasibility of establishing a Youth Strategy, covering young people from birth to 25 years of age. Members supported the proposal and suggested that a brain storming session be arranged to enable consideration of the terms of reference of the Childrens’ Committee and its workplan for the forthcoming year. An invitation to the session would be extended to all members of the Committee, the Portfolio Holders for Education and Social Services and Housing and the Islands Youth MP. The Committee were reminded that the purpose of the Childrens’ Committee was to scrutinize the Council’s performance as a corporate parent in relation to Looked After Children and Children in Need and any changes to the constitution would need the approval of the two relevant Select Committees.
7. PROGRESS ON CONNEXIONS
The Chairman introduced and welcomed Mrs A Hendon-John, the Implementation Manager of the pilot Connexions project. Connexions was a central Government strategy designed to draw together service providers into a cohesive, holistic service for all 13 - 19 year olds. The service aimed to include all aspects of relevant information, advice, guidance, personal development and academic achievement. The report of the Strategic Director of Education and Community development was received which set out, in some detail, the development of the Connexions activity and the subsequent draft delivery plan required by Government prior to approval of a ‘live’ service. Local funding would be allocated according to a nationally agreed funding formula which acknowledged the level of need. Members noted that the Isle of Wight Connexions would receive approximately £263K of funding for 2002 - 2003. The Pilot Implementation Manager made a presentation on the work achieved to date and the proposals for the future, including potential costs, which were detailed in the Development Plan
RESOLVED :
THAT the draft Connexions local delivery plan be approved.
8. DATE OF FUTURE MEETINGS
RESOLVED :
THAT the dates for future meetings of the Childrens Committee be determined at the forthcoming brainstorming session.
Chairman