Children’s Services Cabinet Member – Minutes – 8 December 2015

21  (21) PUBLICATION OF THE MULTI AGENCY CHILDREN IN CARE AND CARE LEAVERS PLAN – The Director of People submitted a report seeking approval to publish the Multi Agency Children in Care and Care Leavers Plan for 2015-17.

Achieving excellent outcomes for children in care and care leavers in North Lincolnshire was a priority for the council. The Multi Agency Children in Care and Care Leavers Plan for 2015-17 confirmed the council’s commitment and plans for ensuring that:

  • children in care felt safe and were safe
  • children in care enjoyed good health and emotional wellbeing
  • children in care achieved their potential

The 2015-17 plans built on the successes of the council’s partnership for improving outcomes for children in care and care leavers. The report gave details of the successes achieved.

As well as specific actions linked to the outcomes, partner agencies to the council had committed to accelerate the pace of improvement by:

  • celebrating and engaging children in care
  • building family and community capacity
  • developing the workforce 

Resolved – That the Multi Agency Children in Care and Care Leavers Plan for 2015-17 be approved and published.

The corresponding report of the following item (Minute 22 refers) contains exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

22 (22) REVISION TO THE CYGNETS STATEMENT OF PURPOSE – The Director of People submitted a report seeking approval of the revisions to the Statement of Purpose for the Cygnets Short Break Children’s Home.

Children’s homes were required by the Children’s Homes Regulations including the Quality Standards (updated April 2015) to have in place a Statement of Purpose that was reviewed on a regular basis and updated as appropriate.

Schedule 1 of the regulations, which came into force 1st April 2015 revised the matters to be included in the Statement of Purpose both restructuring the format and content of the document. The statement was now organised around nine main headings – Quality and Purpose of Care, Views Wishes and Feelings; Education, Enjoyment and Achievement; Health and Positive Relationships; Protection of Children; Leadership and Management and Care Planning.

The Statement of Purpose was an integral component of the inspection of children’s homes undertaken by Ofsted.  The Statement of Purpose had been updated to reflect the changes.  In line with this, the statement was now structured to include elements as detailed in paragraph 2.2 of the report.

Resolved – That the revised Cygnet’s Statement of Purpose be approved.