(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.

                                                (Jill Bell/Su Booth – 01274 432268/07814 073884)

No disclosures of interest in matters under consideration were received.

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2021 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Jill Bell/Su Booth – 01274 432268/07814 073884)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2021 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

ACTION: 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. 

(Jill Bell/Su Booth – 01274 432268/07814 073884)

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

The report of the Strategic Director Children’s Services (Document “X”) will provide an overview of the Care Leavers Service 16+.  The service has responsibility for all Care Leavers, Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers (UASC) and young people presenting at 16 who are roofless or homeless.

Recommended -

That the views of the Corporate Parenting Panel on the detail outlined in Document “X” are welcomed. 

(Emma Collingwood - 01274 4371230

Resolved –

That consideration of this item be deferred to the meeting to be held on 12 April 2021.

ACTION: Strategic Director of Children’s Services

The report of the Director of Children’s Services(Document “Y”) provides the members of the Corporate Parenting Panel with an overview of performance in respect of a number of key, health-related indicators as well as information in respect of several key areas for development.   

Recommended -

The report is for information only.

(Richard Fawcett - 01274 436041)

The report of the Director of Children’s Services(Document “Y”) provided the members of the Corporate Parenting Panel with an overview of performance in respect of a number of key, health-related indicators as well as information in respect of several key areas for development.

Members were advised that an initial health assessment was carried out when children entered care as they may have additional health needs and to assess their physical and emotional wellbeing.  This was followed up with a health check every year, however Covid 19 had presented the Council and health partners with challenges and work was being undertaken to streamline health assessments.  It was reported that there had been a slight dip in the percentage of Children in Care who have had their annual health assessment to 85% compared to a target of 92% and that work was being undertaken to address this.  It was noted that this was not unusual to Bradford and that access to a dentist during the pandemic had made it more difficult to arrange appointments.  Foster Carers had been contacted on how to access dental treatment and they had been advised that they may go privately if needed. 

An area of performance that had improved significantly was in relation to the completion of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQs) which provided alerts to a child in care with emotional issues that could be measured over time.  The findings could be aggregated to identify specific themes for groups of children.  Performance had improved significantly and over 87% of relevant children and young people had an up to date SDQ. It was important to use the information in the SDQs to identify how to support the child.  There was no evidence that SDQ scores had gone up during the pandemic.

A member asked the reason for the reduction in the percentage of children in care having their annual health assessment to 85% and was advised that the Covid pandemic overall had an impact.  December in particular had been a busy month with the numbers of children entering and significant numbers leaving care coupled with the Christmas holiday period.  Increasing numbers of children entered care in January and February.  Work had been undertaken on obtaining consent to medicals and the process had been streamlined which should have an impact on timeliness.  It was agreed that a concise update on the percentage of children in care having their annual health assessment would be provided for the Panel in six months.

Resolved –

(1)  That officers be thanked for the report and the data contained within it.

(2)  That a concise report be presented to the Panel in six months including whether or not the percentage of children in care who had an annual health assessment had increased and reasons for this.

ACTION: Strategic Director of Education

The joint report of the Strategic Director Children’s Services and Strategic Director Place (Document “Z”) provides the members of the Corporate Parenting Panel with an overview of current activity undertaken by Department of Place and Children’s Services. This report was requested following a report to the CPP in January 2021 by Department of Place in relation to support for children in care. This led to further discussion about support specifically in relation to cultural activities and the arts and the extent to which we help our children and young people to access these. It was agreed that Children’s Services and Department of Place would come together to review current activity, think about future activity and jointly prepare a report.  

Recommended -

This report is for information only.

(Richard Fawcett - 01274 436041)

The joint report of the Strategic Director Children’s Services and Strategic Director Place (Document “Z”) provided the members of the Corporate Parenting Panel with an overview of current activity undertaken by Department of Place and Children’s Services. This report was requested following a report to the Panel in January 2021 by Department of Place in relation to support for children in care. This led to further discussion about support specifically in relation to cultural activities and the arts and the extent to which we help our children and young people to access these. It was agreed that Children’s Services and Department of Place would come together to review current activity, think about future activity and jointly prepare a report.

Members were advised that Bradford Theatres were working on offering tickets for shows at reduced or little cost to children in care and care leavers. Opportunities were being explored to reduce fees to encourage access to sports facilities.  Offers were also being identified to increase access to the Museums and Libraries service.  Work was being undertaken on a specific offer for looked after children providing activity packs; creativity cards allowing looked after children to access activities in museums; Proud to be from Bradford encouraged young people to explore the heritage in their area. 

It was highlighted that it was important to produce an offer following discussions with young people about what they wanted and it was noted that local history was an area in which young people has expressed an interest.  It was noted that most of what libraries offered was free and for young people and that there was a need to work with looked after children specifically to encourage them to visit and engage with libraries and make library use a regular habit that would stay with them for the rest of their lives.

It was noted that work experience and placements and opportunities to volunteer were offered in Bradford theatres and that they could ensure that they were offered to looked after children.

Members of the Panel were pleased to note the offers being identified to encourage children in care and care leaves to access cultural activities which could contribute to their emotional health and wellbeing. 

In response member questions, officers endeavoured to contact organisations outside the Council such as local professional sports teams or voluntary organisations regarding concessions and offers that could be made to looked after children.  It was noted that relationships were being built with the Chamber of Trade and the third sector going forward.

It was pointed out that there was a disconnect between the opportunities that were available young people being aware of them.  Work was needed to ensure that young people were made aware of what was available and that this was followed up. It was suggested that the Children in Care Council be asked to consider involving young people in the ongoing discussions taking place.

Resolved –

That officers be thanked for the report and that it be requested  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

The report of the Director of Children’s Services (Document “AA”) provides the members of the Corporate Parenting Panel with an overview of the subject of adoption and permanence for children in care in Bradford.

Recommended -

The report is for information only.

(Richard Fawcett – 01274 436041)

The report of the Director of Children’s Services (Document “AA”) provided the members of the Corporate Parenting Panel with an overview of the subject of adoption and permanence for children in care in Bradford.  The report included Bradford’s adoption data and performance, the action plan in respect of adoption and the wider issue of “permanence” for our children in care.

It was noted that the Assistant Director Safeguarding and Reviewing was now the decision maker regarding permanence rather than an outside agency, which would reduce delay in these decisions being made.  He outlined the complexity of the adoption process and the need to plan for a number of outcomes.  He noted that the authority’s performance was mid table in the region but that it was hoped this would increase within the next six to twelve months.  He stressed weighty decisions were being taken that were life affecting and that it was important to do them well but not to build in delays in the system.  Other forms of permanence were referred to such as Special Guardianship Orders that lasted until the child was 18.

It was noted that new mechanisms had been put in place to ensure that the authority remained focussed on plans to achieve permanence which were detailed in paragraph 2.21 of Document “AA”.

It was noted that it was not possible to identify the number of children who had been matched long term with Foster Carers and that work was being undertaken with IT in this regard.  These children could be identified as individuals but the not the number in the cohort.

In response to a member question on whether the numbers of Special Guardianship Orders could be reported it was noted that this was not possible because they had minimal contact with the authority and this was the right outcome for those children.  It was noted that more than 40 children had their Care Orders successfully discharged.

Resolved –

That a progress report be presented to a future meeting of the Panel including an update on reporting the overall number of children that have been matched long term with foster carers.

ACTION: Strategic Director of children’s Services

The Corporate Parenting Panel Work Plan 2020/21 (Document “AB”) is submitted for consideration by the Panel.

Resolved –

That the report on the Post 16 Service be considered at the meeting on 12 April 2021.

ACTION: Strategic Director of Children’s Services

Richard Fawcett – 01274 436041