Agenda and minutes

Rob Adams, Julian Grubb, Pattie Hill, Mike Johnson and Tina Russell gave their apologies.

Christopher Day attended for Rob Adams.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2019 were agreed to be a correct record and were signed by the Chairman.

Following the discussion held at the last meeting about mental well-being in children and young people, Fran Oborski informed the Board that there would be a joint meeting of the Children’s and Families Scrutiny Panel and Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel in the New Year to look at the issue. The meeting would be held as a select committee with Councillors being able to ask questions of relevant officers. There was a concern services were not available out of hours, and although there may be services available to help young people with serious issues there did not seem to be services available to support children at an earlier stage and prevent them from needing Level 4 services.

The attached report was presented at the meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board on 8 October.

Board Members and invited Housing Officers from the District Councils gave a situation report about how things stood with housing for care leavers within each District.

Fran Oborski explained that since 2000, Wyre Forest had not had its own stock of housing and Wyre Forest Community Housing was their main supplier. Wyre Forest had a high number of foster parents, but some of schools had a problem in that they had become known for having a good reputation for supporting looked after children and had ended up with more than their share. It was hoped that social workers would be aiming to place children in their catchment school first so the children could make friends locally rather than making placements in a school they had previously used. Attachment training had been provided by the virtual school team. Wyre Forest did have access to some emergency housing for care leavers and also help from Wyre Forest Nightstop and Mediation.

Kate Bailey explained that as a District Council Wyre Forest had a duty to house young people of 18-21 if they were in need of housing. Sometimes it had been necessary to use bed and breakfast accommodation in an emergency if there was no time to organise other accommodation or if, for various reasons, the case was complex and the normal range of accommodation was not suitable. The District Council worked with the County Council to commission accommodation. She felt that the Councillors in the area were interested in the issue and were accessible and supportive.

In Worcester city Emma Jordan explained that although bed and breakfast was a last resort it was used on occasion if the young person had complex needs and no other options. Two crash pads were available and the City Council was working on providing new accommodation. They were also in the process of organising a training flat, however, it was recognised that there was demand for many more flats where young people could be supported and prepared for independent living. Providers wanted to know that young people had support before they provided accommodation.

In Wychavon Stephen Gabriel confirmed that the Cabinet Member was supportive but they had seen an increase in rough sleepers with a number of them being previously looked after children. Officers as well as Councillors should be supporting these young people as they all had a Corporate Parenting role.

Catherine Driscoll explained that under the Homelessness Reduction Act responsibility for housing care leavers sat with the District Council as Local Housing Authorities, but the County Council recognised that it was a difficult job to fulfil those duties and was trying to work with the Districts. Work was on-going on a protocol but not enough progress had been achieved so far. 17 young people using bed and breakfast was not a huge number and facilities such as crash pads were helpful but it was recognised that more strategic action was needed. Ofsted had criticised the situation where senior managers of the Council could not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 206.

The Annual Report will be a film and presentation undertaken at a special launch event in December. All the young people, their carers and their allocated workers who were part of the film will be invited, as well as all Corporate Parenting Board members.

The 2018-19 Corporate Annual Report would be launched at an event to show a film of young people and their carers. The event would be held on 17 December at 5pm and the young people shown in the film as well as Members of the Corporate Parenting Board were invited.

A Member of the Board asked if a Virtual College, to support young people aged 16 and above, could be considered at a future meeting. It was agreed that it would be discussed at the Virtual School Governing Body.

The work plan for 2020 was noted.

6 February 2020 – Guildhall Worcester

30 April 2020

4 June 2020

9 July 2020

8 October 2020 – Redditch Borough Council

10 November 2020

The future meeting dates were noted.