Agenda item

(To receive a report by Carolyn Knight, Head of Service – Quality and Standards and Principle Social Worker , which invites the Panel to consider the annual report on the Regulation 44 Independent Visitors Service)

Consideration was given to a report by the Team Manager - Quality and Standards, which invited the Panel to consider the annual report on the Regulation 44 Independent Visitors Service. Members were advised the Regulation 44 inspection identified that children and young people (CYP) were accessing education in a variety of ways. Effective and nurturing engagement from staff to CYP was observed representing a positive outcome. Ongoing development work with CYP continue d to be successful through social pedagogy and restorative practice. Homes continued to participate in multi-agency partnerships, resolving issues raised by partners quickly and satisfactorily, particularly in the transfer of young people into adult care. The challenge of recruitment of permanent staff remained and solutions were being explored. However, agency staff recruited regularly under worked annual contracts which offered the CYP consistent supervision and steady relationships. Staff maintained regular and comprehensive record keeping in line with internal policies, any instances that where highlighted of record keeping inadequacies were addressed quickly. Home specific challenges remained present; however, inspectors were confident that Homes Managers continued to competently attend to challenges proficiently. 

Consideration was given to the report and during the discussion the following points were noted:

·       All CYP in the Council’s residential estates were originally from Lincolnshire, it was only independent residential provision that housed children from out of County.

·       CYP who lived at the homes inherently presented no greater challenge than any other teenager, however, these challenges were assessed within their regularly reviewed independent care management plans. Regulation 44 inspectors were confident that homes worked very well with social workers and other agencies.

·       All CYP were encouraged to participate in education provisions and staff collaborated closely with virtual schools and providers to promote engagement. Some homes opting to limit electronic device availability or facilitate direct engagement to CYP from education providers. A 100 per cent engagement in education rate was not expected to be achieved in the immediate future, however, staff sought to encourage engagement wherever possible.

·       Noting the flexible response from staff in response to service demands, Members stressed their appreciation and admiration for their efforts.

·       The Panel felt, as the impact of Covid-19 reduced, that Members should be encouraged to make arrangements to visit their local Children’s Homes. Moreover, Members that were not on the Corporate Parenting Panel should receive update reports for the home that they were going to.

·       CYP’s voices in the homes were facilitated through a variety of methods including residents’ meetings and discussions with members of staff, key workers, or independent advocates. Generally, officers sought not to overwhelm CYP with questions. Additionally, some homes implemented an anonymous feedback form to varying extents of efficacy.

·       The Big Conversation highlighted a demand for previous residents of the homes to act as mentors, work was progressing with this, and officers hoped to offer an update at the next meeting of The Big Conversation.

·       There were a variety of reasons why siblings were split between different homes primality due to poor internal relations. No decision to split siblings at any point throughout their journey was taken lightly and extensive engagement and consideration took place.

·       If a child or young person were to disclose anything to a member of staff that would be considered a child protection issue, staff had a duty to disclose that information though the proper channels. Sometimes, the child or young people may have chosen to confide something to their advocates which was not necessary to pass onto officers. It was stressed that young people should feel comfortable in their homes.

RESOLVED

1.       That the Panel received and endorsed the Regulation 44 Independent Visitors Report and were satisfied with the activity of the independent visitors and the assurance they provided.

2.       That future Regulation 44 Independent Visitors Reports contain feedback regarding engagement with education.