Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ali, Burton, Dodson and Kaye, Mrs. J. Williams, Miss J. Mullins, Mr. R. Newan, Mr. D. Gibson, Mr. R. Parkin and Mr. G. Hewitt.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

There were no members of the public and press present.

The meeting was informed of the sudden death of Chris Martindale, Assistant Director of Mental Health Services.

Members requested that their condolences be conveyed to his family.

Councillor Doyle introduced this item, making reference to the report submitted which set out the findings and recommendations of the Children and Young People’s Board Scrutiny Working Party. This was a joint working party set up by members of the Social and Community Support Scrutiny Panel and Lifelong Learning Opportunities Scrutiny Panels.

The Working Party looked into the role of Councillors as Corporate Parents to looked after children and young people.

A copy of the full report was submitted and the Chairman of the Scrutiny Review Group commented on its content, making particular reference to the key recommendations in the executive summary and to the recommendations of the main report of the Review Group.

The Working Party examined the role of Councillors as corporate parent with a view to making recommendations on how current practice can be improved. The focus for the review was on the following areas :-

• the policy framework – including a study of national and local policies and good practice elsewhere
• operational arrangements – what’s in place locally and how this compares with practice elsewhere
• the needs and aspirations of Looked After Children/young people themselves

The review looked at how ‘corporate parenting’ is undertaken in Rotherham and in other authorities, taking into account the views of Cabinet Members, officers, Looked After Children and Young People and foster carers.

The review identified a number of areas for improvement, including :-

• Developing training and guidance for all members on the corporate parenting role
• Developing an overarching ‘corporate parenting’ policy
• Regular meetings be set-up with LACYP and care leavers (at least twice yearly) to ensure that they have an opportunity to meet with relevant members; and
• Establishing dedicated scrutiny arrangements for LACYP

Members of the Scrutiny Review Group commented on the review, particularly in respect of :-

(a) training requirements for all involved with supporting children, including councillors and school governors;

(b) the importance of involving children in decision making;

(c) linking the role of members of the Adoption Panel with the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Review Group and having mandatory training for members of the Adoption Panel;

(d) the Education of Looked After Children and the good progress being made;

(e) the proposal to set up a Looked After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel;

Resolved:- (1) That the contents of the report be endorsed.

(2) That the recommendations set out in Section 10 of the report of the Scrutiny Review Group, with the addition of the inclusion of (c) above, be supported.

(3) That the report be submitted to the Corporate Management Team to identify the cost/benefits of implementing the proposals and that CMT report back at the earliest opportunity to the Children and Young People’s Services Scrutiny Panel in the first instance.

(4) That the comments of the CMT, along with the Scrutiny Review Report, be submitted to Cabinet and to Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee for consideration.

(5) That the recommendation to set-up a Looked-After Children Scrutiny Sub-Panel be forwarded to PSOC for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 144.

The Senior Scrutiny Adviser reported on :-

• the items considered by the Scrutiny Panel over the municipal year 2004/05
• the themed meeting on Domestic Violence
• scrutiny reviews undertaken
• the monitoring reports considered
• updates of progress of implementation of scrutiny recommendations
• outstanding issues
• the items suggested as possible areas for future reviews

Discussion took place on areas for future reviews, particularly in respect of anti-social behaviour, bullying, drugs and youth service provisions.

It was reported that the Children and young People’s Services Scrutiny Panel would give consideration to these issues.

Resolved:- (1) That the work and achievements of the Social and Community Support Scrutiny Panel be noted.

(2) That the appropriate Scrutiny Panels determine their priorities and work programme early in the 2005/06 municipal year.

Further to Minute No. 136(d) of the meeting held on 8th April, 2005, CSCI reports on two establishments were submitted for the information of and comment by members.

The Head of Strategic Services (Social Services) summarised the findings of the CSCI, how they were dealt with, actioned and monitored.

Issues raised by members were responded to and informed that reports on areas of concern were submitted to the Cabinet Member for Social Services.

Particular discussion took place on the different format of the two inspection reports.

Resolved:- (1) That the reports be received.

(2) That the CSCI be requested to consider the introductions of a standard reporting format for all establishments.

The Head of Strategic Services gave an update to members on the issues encountered over the past 18 months with regard to using SWIFT Social Care Information System, the progress made and the development plans in place to continue to improve its use across the Programme Area.

Reference was also made to government targets and the implications for Social Services and therefore the SWIFT system, progress made on targets, and the sharing of information with other programme areas.

The introduction and implementation of SWIFT had brought changes to the way staff operated. It was noted that back up systems were in place should the SWIFT system fail.  Security measures were also built into the system to ensure confidentiality of information.  

Overall, the service delivered as a result of SWIFT was improved.

Resolved:- That the report be received.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meetings held on the above dates be received.

Resolved:- (1) That the minutes of the above Board held on 7th April, 2005 be received.

(2) That, with regard to the Annual Performance Assessment and Joint Annual Review of Children and Young People’s Services, the progress report about the inspection and assessment process be submitted to the appropriate Scrutiny Panel.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the above meeting be received.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the above Committee held on the 8th April, 2005 be received.

As this was the final meeting under the present arrangements, the Chairman, Councillor G. A. Russell, expressed thanks and appreciation to members, co-optees and officers for their support.