Council and councillors

Report No. 199/2017 from the Director for People was received.

The Portfolio Holder, Mr Foster, introduced the report, the purpose of which was to seek Cabinet’s recommendation to council for approval of the Children Looked After and Care Leaver’s Strategy 2017-2022.  The Strategy had been developed to ensure the council outlined its expectations and pledges it held for its Children Looked After and Care Leavers; and to outline the Council’s expectations as corporate parents.  Mr Foster explained that the Strategy would be reviewed annually to ensure it is kept up to date.

During discussion the following points were raised:

i.      Mr Foster asked that where the scores indicating the views of Children and Young People were low, the corresponding narrative should address the actual score and indicate what improvements were being made.  Mr Andrews, Deputy Director for People, would address the commentary included in the Strategy in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People (Safeguarding); and

ii.     Mr Walters requested that the statistics included for the National and Local picture should include comparative data.

DECISION

1.    Cabinet RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL the approval of the Children Looked After and Care Leavers Strategy 2017-22 (Appendix A to Report No. 199/2017) subject to the changes requested above which would be incorporated into the Strategy in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People (Safeguarding).

Reasons for Decision

1.    The Children Looked After and Care Leaver Strategy was designed to enable corporate parents to be aware of their role and responsibility in developing and ensuring an outstanding service was delivered.

2.    The Strategy would be reviewed regularly to ensure that the needs of the children and young people in care were being met.