To receive the Children in Care Council and Participation 2017-2018 Annual Report.

The Panel considered the Children in Care Council’s Annual Report for the period of 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018 in conjunction with the exempt presentation which included a summary of the work of the CiCC and Participation Officer, CiCC Achievements in influencing change, challenges, and future priorities over this period.

Points and comments on the Report included:

·         The CiCC continued to be involved in addressing policy decisions, contributing to consultations, support with recruitment and training, undertaking presentations at various forums and being given the opportunity to influence change.

·         The CiCC is a diverse group of 24 core group members and their ages ranged from 11 to 25.

·         The CiCC gives young people in care the opportunity to have a voice and be listened. A common factor is their experiences of being in care and their determination and commitment to make improvements.  They also know that they are being listened to and that their work makes a real difference.

·         CiCC members have been involved in the Ofsted single inspection of Central Bedfordshire Council where they were asked questions about their work and the support they are offered.

·         The CiCC Participation Officer relaunched the ‘Aspiration’s Wish List’. Members of the Panel were asked for their support in providing opportunities for work experience within the community in line with the young people’s aspirations.

·         The Director of Children’s Services suggested that as some councillors were school governors, one possible area of work could be to compile a list alongside the young people of 10 top tips on how to be a good school governor to give an understanding of what could be done better to support young people in care in the education setting.

·         With regard to increasing the profile of the CiCC, an area of consideration could be to give a presentation at Governor and Teacher seminars.

·         The CiCC Participation Officer detailed the various ways in which the young people’s feedback is gathered as explained in her report.

·         The view of young people and their Foster Carers about ways of keeping records of important events in their lives and significant objects in the form of a Memory Box or Life Story work were welcomed.

·         The Foster Carer representative explained that babies were sometimes given their hospital wrist bans or were provided with a toy by hospital staff which was then put into a memory box. Photos of life experiences are also collected alongside any other physical or digital memories which are staying with the child

·         One of the  CiCC young person explained that discussions are taking place regarding ways in which the voice of other young people for whom English is not their first language can be heard even more. It was acknowledged that the young people will find it more difficult to explain what their views are when English is not their first language.

·         The Head of Corporate Parenting explained that one of the central points of working with young people was to listen to their voices to ensure their views were incorporated in the care plans and support provided.

·         A member of the Panel asked if future reports could include examples of how CiCC had helped other children and a brief outline of how this had been achieved.

·         Clarification was sought on the number of CiCC representatives requiring additional support and what arrangements were in place to ensure that their needs were being met.

·         The Head of Corporate Parenting thanked Foster Carers for the care they provided in opening their homes to children and young people, for listening to their wishes and providing support as having the young people as part of their family.

The Chairman thanked the CiCC Ambassadors for the very detailed report and for the work they had undertaken.

NOTED

the Children in Care Council’s Annual Report 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018 and the accompanying exempt presentation.

(Note:

1.    Minute CPP/17/12 below also refers.

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