(Members Code of Conduct - Part 4A of the Constitution)

To receive disclosures of interests from members and co-opted members on matters to be considered at the meeting. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

Notes:

(1)       Members may remain in the meeting and take part fully in discussion and voting unless the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an interest which the Member feels would call into question their compliance with the wider principles set out in the Code of Conduct.  Disclosable pecuniary interests relate to the Member concerned or their spouse/partner.

(2)       Members in arrears of Council Tax by more than two months must not vote in decisions on, or which might affect, budget calculations, and must disclose at the meeting that this restriction applies to them.  A failure to comply with these requirements is a criminal offence under section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. 

(3)       Members are also welcome to disclose interests which are not disclosable pecuniary interests but which they consider should be made in the interest of clarity.

(4)       Officers must disclose interests in accordance with Council Standing Order 44.

                                                                        (Sheila Farnhill – 01274 432268)

There were no disclosures of interest in matters under consideration.

NO ACTION

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2018 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Sheila Farnhill – 01274 432268)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2018 be signed as a correct record.

ACTION: Interim City Solicitor

(Access to Information Procedure Rules – Part 3B of the Constitution)

Reports and background papers for agenda items may be inspected by contacting the person shown after each agenda item.  Certain reports and background papers may be restricted. 

Any request to remove the restriction on a report or background paper should be made to the relevant Strategic Director or Assistant Director whose name is shown on the front page of the report. 

If that request is refused, there is a right of appeal to this meeting. 

Please contact the officer shown below in advance of the meeting if you wish to appeal. 

(Sheila Farnhill - 01274 432268)

There were no appeals submitted by the public to review decisions to restrict documents.

NO ACTION

Previous references: Minutes 7 and 12 (2017/18)

The Deputy Director (Children’s Social Care) will present a report   (Document “R”) in respect of the Through Care Service which was established in July 2017 following a merger of the Looked After Children and Leaving Care Services.

The report includes information on issues specifically requested by the Panel at previous meetings such as preparation for independence and financial management.

The views of the Panel are requested.

Recommended –

That a further report on the Local Offer for Care Leavers be submitted to the Panel in due course.

                                                            (Emma Collingwood – 01274 437123)

Previous references: Minutes 7 and 12 (2017/18)

The Deputy Director (Children’s Social Care) presented a report (Document “R”) in respect of the Through Care Service which had been established in July 2017 following a merger of the Looked After Children and Leaving Care Services.

The report included information on issues, specifically requested by the Panel at previous meetings, such as preparation for independence and financial management.

The following points were highlighted by the Deputy Director:

·         The Service now supported young people up to the age of 25.

·         A young person came within the remit of the Service once they had a Permanency Plan.

·         The Service was needs led and relationship based. The aim was for a young person to retain the same key worker.

·         The Service was currently working with 395 young people up to the age of 16, 512 care leavers, and 51 homeless young people. It was noted that 16/17 year olds were counted twice within these figures.

·         The various specialist teams and roles had been retained.

·         The aspiration in terms of accommodation was to give care leavers choice.

·         Young people were accommodated in Bradford wherever possible.

·         A framework that would respond to need was being developed which would include a range of accommodation provision facilitated by partnership working.

·         A five year contract had been agreed with ‘Centrepoint’.

·         Work was being undertaken in relation to preparation for independence.

·         A Taster flat was available which was a good assessment tool.

·         Pre-tenancy work was undertaken and Care Leavers were given priority in bidding for housing post 18.

·         Suitable accommodation outcomes had improved.

·         There was a trend for young people to stay in supported residential accommodation longer than in the past.

·         30 to 40 young people were ‘staying put’ post 18; this would usually be for a period of approximately 12 months.

·         The Council Tax exemption that had been agreed for Care Leavers between 18 and 21 was very much welcomed and would have a significant impact. An exemption also applied to single foster carers in terms of the retention of their 25% discount

·         The Service was working with the Department of Work and Pensions and, although there was still progress to be made, the issues were now being addressed at national level. Improvements had been seen over the preceding six month period.

·         The LEAP (Learning, Education, Advice and Preparation) programme supported those in employment and provided a support worker for those young people attending University. It also aimed to provide a stepping stone in access to College courses.

·         Aspirational events with Bradford College were planned for those aged 14 plus.

·         The Service had two ESOL trained workers to help with Maths and English skills.

·         A particular focus in the current year was to try and establish details of the barriers that existed in terms of certain young people accessing education/training.

·         Traditionally asylum seeking children had been well motivated in terms of education and had usually been educated previously. Currently many of these young people had had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.