To consider and comment on the Children’s Services Communications Strategy.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services introduced the first formal Communications Framework and welcomed the Committee’s feedback on the draft.

Clarification was sought on the objectives for the framework, what it would achieve and how outcomes would be measured.  In response the Director of Children’s Services advised that the framework had been written to compliment the Corporate Communications Plan and a specific Children’s Services framework document was considered to be ‘good practice’. 

Regarding the process to engage more people a Member proposed that full details on who the Directorate should consult with be listed in the document, and that the following groups be included:-

·         Parents

·         Teachers

·         Grandparents

·         Youth Parliament

The Director of Children’s Services would seek to benchmark the framework with lead authorities and incorporate the suggestions proposed.

RECOMMENDED the Committee welcomes the idea of a Children’s Services communications framework but needs to propose a clear direction as to its use; outcomes expected and it should include an emphasis on parents’ roles.