To consider the Children in Care Council’s Annual Report for the period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017.

The Panel considered the Children in Care Council’s Annual Report for the period of 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017 in conjunction with the exempt presentation.

Points and comments on the Report included:

1.    Work was ongoing to raise the profile of the CiCC. Challenges included the number of young people attending CiCC events continued to fluctuate, changes in the service that could cause challenges for the young people and their involvement/commitment to the CiCC.  The times of the CiCC meetings often meant that only certain young people could attend.

2.    The difficulty of finding members from the younger age range had been resolved with a core group of CiCC members currently in place. The younger group included young people as young as 8 but the group was mostly 8-15 year olds.

3.    Emotional wellbeing and building resilience was very important. Consultations on Personal Education Plans, Pupil Premium and the review of Looked After Children’s Review documents were welcomed.

4.    The CiCC would be delivering training to the 300 participants of the Summer institute, which this year would include those who would be working with CBC to complete training.

5.    The Chairman advised that the initiative to provide young people with opportunities to find out more about chosen careers or experience new activities had been very well supported by members of the Panel.  An Aspirations Wish List had been generated from the young people and their career aspirations.

6.    In recognition of the work undertaken, a certificate had been designed for LAC Champions with the aim of certificates being awarded to Champions at future meetings of the Panel. The first certificate would be awarded to Councillor Chatterley for arranging a visit to Luton Town Football Club. Members of the Panel were asked to publicise the LAC Champion initiative and to bring forward ideas for opportunities not on the list which Members had access to and could facilitate.

Points and comments on the presentation included:

1.    The membership of the CiCC currently consisted of 30 members with an age range of 8-16 years old. Succession planning was in place to ensure that the work undertaken so far by the CiCC would not be lost.

2.    The approach to the use of a Life Story Book was currently inconsistent in terms of some young people being offered a Life Story Book, others not being offered this visual aid and also partial use throughout the journey of the young person. An area of work was being undertaken by the CiCC to ensure every young person is given the option of completing a Life Story Book and that this is a continuous process throughout their journey.

3.    A CiCC Ambassdor indicated that she would be willing to share her Life Story Book at a future meeting of the Panel. 

4.    The Assistant Director Safeguarding and Early Help undertook to provide a template Life Story Book for members of the panel to examine.

5.    Many children in care and care leavers are not sure what benefits they are entitled to such as support with driving and university fees. Members of the CiCC have discussed the possibility of producing a booklet for young people and professionals which sets out what young people in care are entitled to at what age, including information about opportunities such as Further Education and employment.

6.    With regard to increasing engagement and participation of children with disabilities and young people who are seeking asylum, there is now a link with Maythorn, a residential unit for disabled children and young people which enables ways of engagement to be explored and the venues for CiCC meetings are rotated and transport provided to facilitate attendance. Two members of the CiCC are also currently taking forward the equality assurance role with the commissioning team.

The Chairman thanked the CiCC Ambassadors for the work they had undertaken.

NOTED

the Children in Care Council’s Annual Report 01 April to 31 March 2017 and the accompanying exempt presentation.

(Note:

1.  Minute CPP/17/37 below also refers

           2.  At the conclusion of this item the Panel moved into public session)