MINUTES of the CHILDREN’S SERVICES PANEL, held on 29 September 2005
Attendance
Keith Emsall (Chair), Michael Downing, Jane Pitman, Richard Roberts, Aislinn Lee, Derek Hills, Paul Goggins, Brian Lee, Barbara Lamb, David Billing, Sue Jones and Terry Price.
Non Voting
David Williams
Other Members in Attendance
TanisKent
Officers
Moira Swann
Maureen Phillips
Karen Devereux
Helen Ashdown
Martin South
Jenny Lee
Guests
Sally Coakley
Lesley Durant
Keith Rogers
Linda Collier
Apologies
Clare Berry
Jean Heywood
Minutes and Matters Arising
The minutes of the last Children’s Services Panel held on Monday 21 June 2005 were confirmed as a true record.
- Foster Carer Recruitment
Karen Devereux, Head of Fostering Service
Four foster carers (three of whom attended the Panel) gave presentations on their experiences of fostering.
The Panel discussed the availability and appropriateness of training courses. Carers suggested that children should also attend courses.
Members raised concerns regarding children and young people not having a keyworker and noted that it was clear that this would be the case within CSF.
Members asked that Officers provide a report on the issues raised in 6.4.6 of the report presented to the Panel.
Action: Karen Devereux
It was requested that foster carer training be a future agenda item.
Action: Jenny Lee
It was agreed that the issues raised by the foster carers at the meeting will be addressed. Action taken will be reported to the next Panel meeting.
Action: Karen Devereux and Maureen Phillips
All Panel members noted their appreciation and admiration for the work undertaken by foster carers and thanked the three present at the meeting for sharing their experiences.
- Child Care Strategy
Moira Swann, Deputy Director – Social Care and Prevention
The Panel noted that it is still necessary to place children and young people out of county for specialist services, and also acknowledge that there is a need to develop services within the county in order to build upon the already excellent services provided by the residential units.
Members noted that they would like CSF to ensure there are prompt education placements for children and young people returning to Hertfordshire.
The Panel took this opportunity to acknowledge Moira Swann’s significant contribution she has made during her time with Hertfordshire.
- Joining Up the Agenda: Children’s Centres and Extended Schools
Helen Ashdown, Head of Sure Start and Marianne Stevenson, Head of Adult, Family and Community Learning
Panel noted that Officers must ensure that Governors are involved in the decision making process for becoming a children’s centre or extended schools.
It was agreed that the district based information which forms the mapping of children centre’s and extended schools across Hertfordshire will be presented to the next Panel meeting.
Action: Helen Ashdown and Jenny Lee
- Children and Young People’s Plan
Martin South, Head of Policy, Planning, Commissioning and Performance
The contents of the report were noted.
- Any Other Business
Members of the Panel thanked Moira Swann for her work and wished her well in her new role.
It was noted that John Richards will be rejoining CSF from 7 November 2005 until August 2006 as Deputy Director, Social Care and Prevention.
- Date of Next Meeting
Thursday 17 November 2005, 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm in Committee Room A.