Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairman welcomed members to the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2011 were agreed as a correct record.

In future the minutes of the Children and Young People’s Partnership Board meetings would be noted at the Children and Young People’s Partnership Forum meetings.

Outcome of assessment published on 8 November 2011

Inspection Safeguarding and Looked After Children

A brief update on the Inspection

Janette Karklins, Director of Children, Young People and Learning, presented a report on the outcome of the Annual Children’s Services Assessment by Ofsted on 8 November 2011 and an update report on the Inspection on Safeguarding and Looked After Children.

The Annual Children’s Services Assessment by Ofsted would possibly cease in the future but would likely continue for at least one more year. The grading for the assessment of services was in relation to regulatory functions and Ofsted inspections. Twenty two areas were inspected including childminders and special needs. The wide ranging list included performance in end of Key Stage tests.

The Annual Assessment was derived from a four point scale:

4          Performs excellently

3          Performs well

2          Performs adequately

1          Performs poorly

There was a sensitive judgement for smaller local authorities. Bracknell Forest Council Children’s Services Assessment 2011 was graded as Performs well (3). There were many strengths and four areas were identified for further development. The grading of individual areas of service inspected could not be changed up to good or better until the next inspection. More children’s centres would be inspected over the next academic year.

The Inspection of Safeguarding and Looked After Children began with a ten day notification and was followed by ten days of inspection fieldwork which commenced on 31 October 2011 with five inspectors; four HMI Inspectors from Ofsted and one CSC Inspector. The in depth inspection consisted of meetings, discussions and phone calls.

The result of the inspection was embargoed and would be available in the public domain on 16 December 2011 but Children’s Services were pleased with the outcome. The inspection report was expected to be approximately 20-25 pages in length. A detailed self evaluation was submitted as part of the preparation, in addition to documents including key plans and strategies.

Janette thanked all Children and Young People’s Partnership members for their involvement in the inspection. The inspection report would be circulated to members once available.

The possibility of inspections being grouped together was being considered. This type of inspection would not be repeated again. Inspections with no notice were also being considered. This would mean that the self evaluation would need to be kept up to date.

Janette thanked Lorna Hunt’s team in Children’s Services for all their hard work. There was an action plan to address areas for improvement and partners would be consulted regarding this. Lorna commented that the inspection was a very challenging process and that information from colleagues and partners was much valued and a key part of the process. The inspection found that the partnership was a strength.

There was a great focus on impact and outcomes. The aim was to co-ordinate information more effectively in the future in relation to the Children and Young People’s Plan. The action plan would be brought back to the next meeting of the Partnership and recommendations would be taken forward into next year’s Children and Young People’s Plan.

The Chairman thanked everyone involved with the inspections for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To conclude the discussions from the previous meeting and seek input from the Forum regarding further developments / strategy

This item was deferred to a future meeting of the Partnership Forum.

To receive the report and consider the recommendations within the ongoing development of the work of the CYP Partnership and the Children & Young People’s Plan

Sandra Davies, Head of Performance and Governance for Bracknell Forest, presented the LSCB 2010/11 Annual Report.

The LSCB Annual Report was required to fulfil the requirements in Working Together 2010. The LSCB would provide a comprehensive analysis of safeguarding in the local area. The Children’s Partnership Board would draw on the advice and evidence in the annual report to inform the development and review of the local Children and Young People’s Plan, and would show in the plan how they would respond to issues raised by the LSCB.

Recommendations would be taken into account. The full report should not be shared due to the sensitive information in it. The report listed the achievements and challenges of the LSCB during 2010/11. The toolkit had been adopted nationally, the annual conference had taken place and there had been a review of training. The LSCB had recruited a participant observer and a lay member.

The report included feedback for the Children and Young People’s Partnership. A report back from the Partnership to the LSCB was expected in March 2012.

It was reported by the Voluntary Sector Forum that a multi-media group at The Wayz Youth Centre had developed a short film about what safeguarding means to young people. It was suggested that the film be shown at a future meeting of the Partnership Forum.

It was felt that some faith and belief groups were not being properly managed but joined up work was beginning on a national level. Local knowledge on understanding safeguarding was important. It was suggested that there be a representative from Adult Social Care on the Partnership Forum.

Funding for a Workforce Development Officer within the Voluntary Community sector was due to end in December 2011 but would be extended to March 2012 to continue work with toolkits.

RESOLVED that:

1. The Children and Young People’s Partnership Forum noted the learning from the LSCB’s 2010/11 Annual Report and gave specific consideration to the LSCB’s Feedback to and Challenge of the CYP Partnership.

Children’s Society Report – A Way Forward

Presentation on current and ongoing developments

Paul Crawte, Youth Service Manager for Bracknell Forest, and Graham Symonds, Policy and Commissioning Manager, gave a presentation on Young Carers. Malcolm Cooke, from the organisation ‘Kids’ was unable to attend the meeting.

A review of the approach to service provision to young carers had been undertaken by The Children’s Society, including a well attended conference. The tender process had been developed and engaged, to find a provider for a revised service to young carers. There would be Youth Service provision of “Youth Club” style projects until a new provider was able to fully establish provision. A review of the Young Carers Steering group would be undertaken. There would be a new approach to the development of an “outcomes matrix” for this work.

Young carers and parents were involved in the service specification of provision for young carers. The memorandum of understanding would be signed over the next few weeks, involving Children’s Services and Adult Social Care Services. Understanding the level of need was important and mainstream services would be used where available. Work would be undertaken with carers in schools as young carers were finding schooling difficult due to their commitments at home.

The aim was to raise awareness of all services available and to ensure that information was accessible. Key outcomes had been identified in the short, medium and long term. It was suggested that Graham Symonds and Malcolm Cooke report back to the Partnership on the work of their group and that a short action plan be produced on each outcome.

There was current provision at Sandhurst Youth Centre for young carers and there was an annual satisfaction survey including young carers. Office space had been signed for, funding was being drawn and an action plan was being developed for further provision. Partners were asked to think about the work they undertook and how it fitted in with young carers.

The Chairman thanked Bracknell Forest Voluntary Action (BFVA) for their work with young carers over the years. The project which BFVA had undertaken had been very useful. The project was no longer running but young people approached BFVA if needed. Congratulations were passed for Malcolm Cooke and Kids.org.uk.

It was suggested that the Young Carers presentation be given at a meeting of the Governors Chairs’ Forum to help raise awareness. It would be useful to broaden the definition of what a young carer was.

Lorna Hunt, Chief Officer: Children’s Social Care, thanked everyone involved with young carers youth provision.

Venue: Easthampstead Park Education Centre

Time:  3 – 5 p.m.

Thursday 23 February 2012

Thursday 21 June 2012

Thursday 25 October 2012

Venue: Easthampstead Park Education Centre

Thursdays. Time:  3 – 5 p.m.

23 February 2012

21 June 2012

25 October 2012 (this date may be changed, to be advised)