Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the January meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Children and Families).

In accordance with her powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair agreed to accept the following late item:

·  Scrutiny Inquiry into Private Fostering (Minute No. 101 refers)

The document was not available at the time of the agenda despatch, but subsequently made available to the public on the Council’s website prior to the meeting.

Ms A Craven declared a significant other interest in agenda item 10, ‘Progress report on the remodelling of the CAF and the objectives to be achieved by this’, in her capacity as Vice-Chair of Leeds Autism Behaviour and Communications Group.  (Minute No. 102 refers)

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillor A Hussain and co-opted Member, Ms T Kayani.  Notification had been received that Councillor M Harland was to substitute for Councillor A Hussain.

The Chair informed the Scrutiny Board that Ms N Cox had resigned as Parent Governor Representative (Special).  The Chair thanked Ms N Cox for her hard work and positive contribution to the Board’s work. 

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2013.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2012 be approved as a correct record.

Minute No. 56 –  The Development of All-Through Schools at Carr Manor and Roundhay

The Chair reported that the Leader of the Council wished to convey his thanks to the Scrutiny Board for the excellent work that had been undertaken in relation to revised cost issues associated with the development of all-through schools at Carr Manor and Roundhay.

Minute No. 89 – Recommendation Tracking – External Placements

The Deputy Director (Safeguarding, Specialist and Targeted Services), advised that there had been a reduction in the number of looked after children.  The current figure was 1,392.

The Deputy Director (Safeguarding, Specialist and Targeted Services) provided a brief update on the recruitment of foster carers.  Members were advised that there had been a net gain of 7.  The Deputy Director undertook to provide the Scrutiny Board with further information about the number of foster carers recruited.

To receive and consider a report from the Chief Executive and the Director of Children’s Services which responds to recommendations made by the Scrutiny Board (Children and Families) on the 27 September 2012

The Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which responded to recommendations made by the Scrutiny Board (Children and Families) in relation to young carers.

The following officers attended the meeting and responded to Members’ questions and comments:

-  Steve Walker, Deputy Director (Safeguarding, Specialist and Targeted Services), Children’s Services

-  Paul Bollom, Head of Strategy and Commissioning, Children’s Services

-  Barbara Robinson, Family Information Service Manager, Children’s Services

-  Sylvia Shatwell, Manager of Banardo’s Willow Young Carers.

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The types of support provided by clusters to young carers.

·  The role of schools in developing support frameworks.

·  Development of an evidence based screening toolkit. 

·  Clarification sought about the types of support provided to young carers looking after 0-5 age group.  Officers agreed to report back with further information, particularly about the role of Children’s Centres.

·  Possible development of existing mentoring provision.

·  Concern about the need to develop provision for young carers across the city.

·  The role of Elected Members and school governors in identifying young carers in need of support. 

RESOLVED – That the responses to the recommendations be noted.

(Councillor A Khan joined the meeting at 10.07am during the consideration of this item.)

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which sets out the progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the previous Scrutiny review of Service Redesign published on 15 March 2012.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which outlined the progress made in relation to recommendations arising from the scrutiny review into services for children with disabilities, special educational needs and additional health needs.

Appended to the report was a copy of the recommendation tracking flowchart and recommendation tracking table.

The following officers attended the meeting and responded to Members’ questions and comments:

-  Steve Walker, Deputy Director (Safeguarding, Specialist and Targeted Services), Children’s Services

-  Barbara Newton, Head of Complex Needs, Children’s Services.

The status of recommendations were agreed as follows:

·  Recommendation 1 – achieved

·  Recommendation 2 – not achieved.  Progress made acceptable.  Continue monitoring

·  Recommendation 3 – achieved

·  Recommendation 4 – not achieved.  Progress made acceptable.  Continue monitoring

·  Recommendation 5 – achieved

·  Recommendation 6 – not achieved.  Progress made acceptable.  Continue monitoring

·  Recommendation 7 – not achieved.  Progress made acceptable.  Continue monitoring

·  Recommendation 8 – not achieved.  Progress made acceptable.  Continue monitoring

·  Recommendation 9 – not achieved.  Progress made acceptable.  Continue monitoring

·  Recommendation 10 – not achieved.  Progress made acceptable.  Continue monitoring

·  Recommendation 11 – not achieved.  Progress made acceptable.  Continue monitoring.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted

(b)  That the Scrutiny Board approves the status of recommendations as set out above.

(Councillor A Khan withdrew from the meeting at 10.55am during the consideration of this item.)

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development. (Final Inquiry Report to follow).

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which asked Members to consider and agree the Scrutiny Board’s report following its inquiry into private fostering.

The following officers attended the meeting and responded to Members’ questions and comments:

-  Steve Walker, Deputy Director (Safeguarding, Specialist and Targeted Services), Children’s Services

-  Val Hales, Deputy Service Manager (Fostering and Adoption), Children’s Services.

Members were advised about some minor amendments to the draft scrutiny inquiry final report in relation to the Leeds Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) audit and private fostering staffing levels.

RESOLVED – That subject to the above amendments, the Scrutiny Board’s report following its inquiry into private fostering, be approved.

To receive and consider a report from the Deputy Director of Children’s Services: Safeguarding, Specialist and Targeted Services which provides an update on progress made over the past 12 months and outlines plans to develop CAF in the future.

The Deputy Director of Children’s Services (Safeguarding, Specialist and Targeted Services) submitted a report which provided an update on progress made over the last 12 months in relation to the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and outlined plans to develop CAF in future.

The following officers attended the meeting and responded to Members’ questions and comments:

-  Steve Walker, Deputy Director (Safeguarding, Specialist and Targeted Services), Children’s Services

-  Jim Hopkinson, Head of Service (Targeted Services), Children’s Services

-  Mary Armitage, Head of Service (Integrated Processes).

The key areas of discussion were:

·  Improvements to the Common Assessment Framework (CAF).  Information now held centrally and forms more user friendly.

·  The evaluation of the process by Dr Mark Peel.

·  The requirement for families to tell their stories due to a more comprehensive approach.

·  One of the main issues was the capacity of practitioners to meet and discuss individual cases.

·  Improvements were needed to publicise Integrated Processes as a central point of contact.

·  Development of the Common Internal Record (CIR) across different settings.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

(Councillor A Khan re-joined the meeting at 11.30am during the consideration of this item.)

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services and Director of City Development which responds to recommendations made by the Scrutiny Board (Children and Families) on the 8 November 2012

The Director of Children’s Services and Director of City Development submitted a joint report which responded to the recommendations made by the Scrutiny Board inquiry into Safeguarding Children – Private Care Homes, published on 8^th November 2012.

Appended to the report was a guidance note in relation to planning permission for children’s homes C2 or C3.

The following officers attended the meeting and responded to Members’ questions and comments:

-  Steve Walker, Deputy Director (Safeguarding, Specialist and Targeted Services), Children’s Services

-  Martin Sellens, Head of Planning Services, City Development.

Officers agreed to provide the Scrutiny Board with a list of Private Care Homes and the locations.

RESOLVED – That the proposed responses outlined in the report, be approved.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development outlining the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the remainder of the current municipal year.

 A report was submitted by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which detailed the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the current municipal year.

Appended to the report for Members’ information was the current version of the Board’s work programme, an extract from the Forward Plan of Key Decisions from January 2013, together with the minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 12 December 2012.

RESOLVED – That the work schedule be approved.

(Councillors M Rafique and K Renshaw withdrew from the meeting at 11.55am during the consideration of this item.)

Thursday, 14 February 2013 at 9.45 a.m. (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.15 a.m.)

Thursday, 14^th February 2013 at 9.45am with a Pre Meeting for Board Members at 9.15am

(The meeting concluded at 11.56am.)