Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Sara Barnes, Mohammed Farooq, Katy Frankland, Denise Irving, Andy Kippax, Alison Naismith and Claire Woodford.

No declarations of interest were made.

To approve as a correct record the meeting held on 18 December 2013. 

(a)   The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 18 December 2013 were approved as a correct record by the Chair subject to the following amendments:-

In respect to Members, the addition of Tim Beesley and deletion of Gaynor Mullins.

Minute 5 – ‘New Belongings Project’ – The deletion of ‘could include discussion of care leavers in bullet point three.

(b)   Matters Arising

New Belongings Project (Minute 5 of 18 December 2013 refers)

An enquiry was made in respect of the responses from the Child Adolescent Mental Health Service and Youth Offending Service regarding extending the age range of clients to whom they support and provide services to.  The Chair confirmed that he would investigate and report back to a future meeting of the Partnership.

Domestic Abuse: Update on Review (Minute 8 of 18 December 2013 refers)

The Chair confirmed that a report on Domestic Abuse report would be submitted to the next Council meeting on 3 April 2014.

Donna Sager (Services Director, Transformation and Commissioning) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing performance in the third quarter of 2013/14 against a number of indicators.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         The support from partners to enable the extension to Lancashire Hill Children Centre was highlighted.

·         Discussion took place in regard to the proposed integration of CAMHS and other wellbeing services.

·         Children taken into care on the grounds of reasons of obesity and the local authority’s interventions for overweight or obese children.

·         It was highlighted that Stockport had performed the best in respect of flu immunisation for children in the North West.  Staff in Children’s Centres staff were thanked for their support. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no updates given.

Overview report on circumstances and current legislative changes regarding children and young people detained in custody.

Officer contact: Jacqui Belfield Smith on 0161 474 2876 or email:

jacqui.belfield-smith@stockport.gov.uk

Jacqui Belfield-Smith (Head of Youth Offending Service, Stockport Council) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) on children and young people in custodial detention.  She summarised the circumstances of why children and young people were detained in custody and highlighted case studies. 

The following issues were raised:-

·         Clarification was sought and provided in respect of the definition of a PACE bed.

·         Custody and placements for young people.

·         A suggestion was made that ‘Children and Young People in Custodial Detention’ be added as a cohort group for consideration by the Partnership.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Progress report on the review of the options for delivery of the Children's Centres Core Purpose.

Officer contact: Viki Packman on 0161 474 5709 or email: viki.packman@stockport.gov.uk

Viki Packman (Head of Early Help and Prevention Services) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the Children's Centres Core Purpose Delivery.

RESOLVED – That the Head of Early Help and Prevention Services be requested to submit a detailed report to the next meeting updating the Partnership on the Children’s Centre Core Purpose Delivery. 

A verbal presentation by the Service Director (Commissioning & Transformation).

Donna Sager (Services Director, Transformation and Commissioning) sought the views of the Partnership on whether the existing Children’s Trust Strategic Plan should be extended or re-evaluated.

The Chair gave an overview of the Partnership, the financial landscape of the Council and the implications on Children Services and programmes.  Chris McLoughlin (Service Director, Children's Safeguarding & Prevention) discussed Public Sector Reform and Viki Packman (Head of Early Help and Prevention Services) discussed local authority outcome based work.

Partnership priorities and cohorts were discussed as well as a summary of the progress made by the Partnership over the last three years.  Challenges faced by Children Services were highlighted and future plans and the next steps of the Service was discussed.

The Partnership split into groups and discussed the existing plan.

RESOLVED – That the existing Children’s Trust Strategic Plan be extended for a year and that the Plan as well as the Child Poverty Strategy be considered at the next meeting of the Partnership on 3 June 2014 and a further workshop discussion be arranged for the meeting on 2 September 2014.