Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Munsur Ali, Marianne Fredericks and Susan Pearson.

There were no declarations.

To agree the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 3 October 2019.

RESOLVED, that – the public minutes and non-public summary of the previous meeting held on 3 October 2019 be agreed as a correct record.

Matters Arising:

Item 4: Advanced safeguarding training for school governors was in progress following this being recommended at the last Sub-Committee meeting.

Item 9: Officers would bring an update to the Sub-Committee at a future meeting regarding work being undertaken by The City and Hackney Safeguarding Adults Board at the strategic level regarding engaging with individuals who have experienced safeguarding services in the past.

Designated Nurse, Safeguarding Children of City & Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group to be heard.

Members heard a presentation of the City & Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) relative to the Child Death Review System for Waltham Forest, East London, City and Hackney.

Members were informed that there is a statutory responsibility for the CCG to review the death of every child since 2008. These investigations aim to develop an understanding of the circumstances of the death and the modifiable factors in order to prevent future deaths. Investigations require a Joint Agency Response (JAR), involving hospitals, the local authority, social care and police. The Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP) oversees the review process, along with a designated child death doctor. Key workers are linked with each family and are the enduring point-of-contact throughout the review process. In the event that the death is suspicious or unexplained, police are connected with family.

In response to questions from Members regarding the qualifications of members of the panel and key works, it was noted that CDOP members have background in public health, and key workers have training in bereavement support.

Members recommended that as it had been a number of years since a child death occurred in The City, Officers should carry out a practice exercise of process for reporting a child death to ensure all systems are adequately functioning.

RESOLVED, that – the presentation be received and its contents noted.

Report of the City and Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

To be read in conjunction with the non-public Annual Report at Agenda Item 18.

Members received a covering report of the City and Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) relative to the Looked-After Children’s Health (City of London Corporation) Annual Report for 2018-19. The Annual Report was read in non-public session due to sensitive information contained in the report.

The Designated Doctor summarised the report and process of service delivery for addressing health needs of Looked After Children (LAC).

Members questioned whether the CCG had adequate resources to offer the health services outline in report. The Designated Doctor acknowledged that the workload was increasing, and resources were becoming strained, particularly with respect to the shortage of paediatricians. Members suggested to City Corporation Officers that this be monitored possible solutions be considered to address lack of resources. Officers to provide an update at a future meeting.

Members noted that the report raised potential issues regarding mental health support for UASC.  Members were informed that DCCS had recently commissioned bespoke mental health support for UASC from Coram and Tavistock and were in the process of finalising the specification.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

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

To be read in conjunction with the non-public appendix at Agenda Item 19.

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to Children Missing from Care, Home and Education. Members enquired about how services respond to missing from education and if young people do not have a return home interview. The following points were highlighted:

·         As a result of the Chadrack Serious Case Review, guidance has been reviewed regarding how to address children missing from education. Whilst such cases were previously considered attendance issues, a flow chart has been circulated as guidance to staff on recognising such instances as potential safeguarding and wellbeing issues.

·         If a young person refuses to have a return home interview once they have returned, the service will assess what the service response should be to ensure the young person is safe and has an opportunity to share issues or concerns that will help to prevent any future re-occurrence. This could be via meeting with Social Worker, Independent Visitor or advocate.

·         New circumstances for children coming from abroad can be difficult to adjust to (new environment; no family; fewer societal restrictions) and staff aim to address issues such as safety, consent and sexuality as soon as possible. Risk assessments are undertaken to mitigate risk of young people going missing after they arrived in the country.  The Missing from Home, Care and Education procedures are regularly reviewed to ensure there are robust responses to any episodes of missing.

With respect to placing children in schools, Members enquired as to whether there have been instances where a child cannot be allocated a place in schools. Officers reported that this has not been an issue, although the first choice of school is not always available.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to the Children in Care Council (CiCC) and Participation Service Update.

Members questioned what initiatives were in place to increase participation in CiCC services from young women, as it was noted that there was lower participation amongst young women compared to young men. Officers reported that bespoke services were being offered to each individual to encourage participation with the aim over time to bring all young people together in one group, if possible. Officers noted that the numbers of young women were very small and so it was important that a person-centred approach was adopted to ensure their individual needs were being met.

Members questioned how the service was meeting commitments in the pledge. Officers reported that the pledge provided the blueprint for the CiCC service offerings. Skills-focused training sessions are offered in areas including DIY, health, budgeting and job/interview preparation.

Members requested assurance that as the number of young people increases, resources would be available to accommodate all participants on group holidays. Officers advised that consideration is being given to which officers can accompany young people on holidays to ensure adequate participant-to-officer ratio without compromising the responsibilities of the officer’s workload. A follow-up report was requested at the next meeting.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to progress of the Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) work of the City Corporation. As a new SEND Strategy for 2020-2023 was being developed, officers were engaging with parents, carers and partners to ensure the new strategy incorporated their concerns. The final strategy would be signed off in April 2020.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to the Children and Families Performance Reporting, which outlined the process for reporting.

With respect to the data reported for Quarter 3, Members expressed concern over the following areas:

Child Protection: It was noted within the report that 3 children were on a Child Protection Plan for 12-24 months. Members requested assurance that mechanisms were in place to ensure that children do not remain on CPP for extended periods of time. Officers advised that while children are on CPP, staff track the case throughout the process, and where relevant would follow Public Law Outline (PLO) processes in addressing cases of children under CPP for longer periods of time which could determine if it is necessary to go to court.

Assessment: Members questioned the length of time of some assessments. Officers advised that most assessments are completed within 45 days from the date of referral and where applicable will be completed within a shorter timescale. Officers aim to identify at an early stage if an assessment could take longer and must justify the reason for longer assessments.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to the Corporate Safeguarding Policy. The policy emphasises that all City Corporation staff must know how to recognise and report safeguarding concerns. Every department must report to the Director of Community & Children’s Services regarding how their department is following through with safeguarding responsibilities.

Members noted that not all Members of the Court of Common Council are aware of their responsibilities under the Corporate Safeguarding Policy. The Chairman suggested that Sub-Committee Members take the opportunity to speak to other Members about their responsibilities as Corporate parents. Officers noted that an e-learning module on safeguarding is available to staff on City People and can be circulated to Members as well.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to the Aidhour Quality Assurance Report on Audits Completed December 2019.

Members sought assurance that recommendations from the audit were being implemented. Officers reported that in line with the recommendations, additional support, briefings and/or training has been offered to social workers. A focus on direct work and purposeful visiting has recently featured as part of the Principal Social worker updates to staff. Managers also review all recommendations from audits to ensure that recommendations have been followed up following the completion of an audit.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

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

Members received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services relative to the Service Development Plan 2019-20.

The actions in the development plan had been RAG-rated (Red, Amber, Green), and Members requested justification for all outstanding Amber actions:

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 I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 October 2019.

RESOLVED, that – the non-public minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 October 2019 be agreed as a correct record.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held 4 June 2019, which could not be agreed on 3 October 2019 due to the meeting becoming inquorate.

RESOLVED, that – the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 4 June 2019 be agreed as a correct record.

Appendix to be read in conjunction with the cover report of the City and Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group at Agenda Item 5.

Members received the Looked After Children’s Health (City of London Corporation) Annual Report 2018-2019 in conjunction with the covering report included at agenda item 5.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

Appendix to be read in conjunction with the report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services, Agenda Item 6.

Members received the non-public appendix to the report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services included at agenda item 6.

RESOLVED, that – the report be received and its contents noted.

There was one question.

There was no other business.