Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from the Revd Dr Martin Dudley and Professor John Lumley.

There were no declarations.

To agree the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 November 2014.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 27 November 2014 be approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising

Visits

Members noted that a visit to elderly tenant in Tower Hamlets could be arranged for the following week but, as this was such late notice, officers undertook to arrange another visit at a later time. Members were also reminded of the Children in Care Council event on 30^th March.

Corporate Parenting Strategy

The Town Clerk undertook to follow-up the presentation of the Strategy to the Court of Common Council, and Members noted a training session had been scheduled for 15^th April at 1pm.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Chairman welcomed Jim Gamble, Independent Chair of the City and Hackney Safeguarding Children Board (CHSCB), who introduced the CHSCB Annual report for 2013/14. This detailed the work undertaken by partners and the Board to ensure robust safeguarding arrangements were in place.

Members discussed the report in detail, noting the NHS representation on the various Boards, and the need for strong scrutiny and comprehensive Member training. Mr Gamble advised that joint training with Hackney could be facilitated and officers undertook to look into the options available. Mr Gamble praised the work of the Director of Community & Children’s Services and the Assistant Director of People, highlighting their commitment and care with regards to safeguarding.

RESOLVED – That officers liaise with the London Borough of Hackney to facilitate joint training, and the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Chairman welcomed Fran Pearson, Independent Chair of the City and Hackney Safeguarding Adults Board (CHSAB), who introduced the CHSAB Annual report for 2013/14. This detailed the priorities for 2013/14 and 14/15, key developments and activity data, as well as the governance and membership of the Adult Safeguarding Board.

Members discussed the report, noting that Safeguarding Adult Boards would be placed on the same statutory footing as Children Safeguarding Boards from April as a result of the Care Act 2014, and that a dedicated budget for the Board had been agreed by all partners. In response to Members’ questions, officers advised that other Local Authorities had specialist teams but the City’s social workers undertook both statutory and non-statutory work.

Ms Pearson echoed Mr Gamble’s praise for the Director of Community & Children’s Services and the Assistant Director of People, as well as Professor Lumley (lead Member on the Adults Safeguarding Board) and other key members of staff in the Community & Children’s Services Department.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services which provided an update on the work undertaken to address issues in respect of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in the City of London. Officers advised Members of the development of a City of London CSE Action Plan and establishment of the Multi Agency Sexual Exploitation (MASE) group, and it was noted that a peer review had been completed with the London Borough of Camden.

Officers confirmed that there had been no reported cases of CSE to date in the City of London or involving any of the City’s children, and that just under half of the actions in the City of London CSE Action Plan had been fully completed with the remaining actions were underway.In response to Members’ questions, officers advised that although they were confident there were robust reporting processes in place, it was never assumed there were no cases or vulnerable children. Regarding National Agencies such as Childline, officers confirmed these organisations existed to increase the channels through which alerts could be raised and that the relevant Local Authority and Police were contacted immediately.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services detailing the progress made in setting up the Children in Care Council (CiCC) with Looked After Children and Care Leavers supported by the City of London. The first CiCC took place on the 4th November 2015 where the children and young people confirmed the City of London’s Pledge, which had now been included into the Corporate Parenting Strategy. A work plan had also been agreed, which had been included in the Corporate Parenting Strategy Action Plan.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services providing an update on the first year of the three year Knowledge Transfer Programme established between the Department of Community and Children’s Services – People Directorate and Goldsmiths, University of London Department of Social, Therapeutic and Community Studies.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.

MOTION - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Item                                                                Paragraph(s)

12                                                                    1 & 2

13                                                                    2

14-15                                                               -

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 November 2014.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2014 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

There were no questions.

There was no other business.