Children and Education Scrutiny Panel – 12 August 2019

Chairman:  Cllr T Foster
Venue: S01e, Church Square House, 30-40 High Street, Scunthorpe
Time:  3 p.m.
E-mail Address: dean.gillon@northlincs.gov.uk

 

AGENDA

1. Substitutions.

2. Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and personal or personal and prejudicial interests and declarations of whipping arrangements (if any).

3. Public speaking request (if any).

4. Discussion with the Director: Children and Community Resilience and senior colleagues.

4.1  Joint Targeted Area Inspection – Children Living with Mental Health Issues – update.

4.2  Help and Protection Annual Report.

5. Added item (if any).

6. Any other items which the Chairman decides are urgent by reason of special circumstances which must be specified.

MINUTES

PRESENT:-   Councillor T Foster in the Chair.

Councillors Armiger, Clark, Longake, Mitchell, Wells and Yeadon

Statutory Co-opted Members: W Egan (Church Representative).

The panel met at the Church Square House, High Street, Scunthorpe.

1 DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, or personal or personal and prejudicial interests.

No whip was declared.

2 PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK – There were no requests received.

3 HELPING AND PROTECTING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE: ANNUAL SELF-ASSESSMENT 2018/19 – The Chairman welcomed Ann-Marie Brierley, Head of Safeguarding Children, to the meeting.  The Chairman explained that Ann-Marie had been invited to present the findings of the 2018/19 Helping and Protecting Children and Young People Self-Assessment, and also to update members on the Joint Targeted Area Inspection on children living with mental health issues.

Ann-Marie gave a detailed presentation on the self-assessment, explaining key developments, successes and challenges in the following areas:

  • Leadership and Management,
  • Children in Need of Help and Protection, and
  • Children in Care and Care Leavers.

Ann-Marie concluded her presentation by outlining a number of areas for consideration and further improvement.

The Chairman invited Members to ask questions throughout, and the panel discussed a range of issues, including local performance, pathways to access services and support, addressing offending and criminal exploitation, and resources to empower and support care leavers.  The Head of Safeguarding Children responded fully and appropriately throughout.

Ann-Marie then provided an overview of the Joint Targeted Area Inspection, describing the likely cohort, methodology, and related information.

Resolved – (a) That Ann-Marie Brierley be thanked for their attendance, their presentation, and for providing answers to members’ questions, and (b) that the situation be noted.

4 ADDED ITEM – There was no added item for consideration at the meeting.