Agenda item

For the panel to consider how its work at the meeting will improve services for children in care.

The Panel highlighted the following accomplishments which helped Children in Care:

• The Panel identified key gaps.
• Time mask.
• The Panel highlighted that it was refreshing to see young people at the meeting in the hope that more young people can attend to challenge officers.
• The Panel highlighted that it was interesting to have Virtual school listen in with LAC reviews and hear the feedback from foster carers. It was also good to know of the ongoing work of Quality Assurance if the LAC reviews and the education of care would feed into it.
• The Panel was delighted to hear of the Local Offer and Ashleigh’s engagement in the meeting.
• Having the commitment and the discussion of what the Local Offer would mean to the care leavers
• Generally attending the meeting as an adult, from attending previously at a younger age, and to see how things had change and how people was not afraid to challenge.
• IRO report and the challenge for them to do better; and to hear back from Ashleigh as it is good to see what it looks like when it goes right.
• IRO implementation if fundament to be more affective at corporate planning for hardwiring better practice.
• Staying Put Policy which was fit for purpose and Care Offer for care leavers. Good balanced thorough discussion.
• Ground breaking and the change in the young people. The staff was enthused as the energy is incorporated. The fact it exist was good. Signoff for Staying Put Policy is good. Grateful to Ashleigh and Child M.
• I loved it today. It’s great living with foster carers as they take me out, take me to church and give us so much lovely food.
• Giving more confidence to explain to other foster carers who share the same issues. The commitment and passion delivered in here is very different to what we feel outside the Panel. It was about ensuring the process was delivered, and feeling the same passing as other officers in the room.
• Depth of discussion that takes place, as foster carers we raise issues and the fact the department has taken all on board is positive that people are listening.
• Foster carers do feel that they are not listened to, but in the Panel we was able to address some things on behalf of the foster carers. Today we focused on older children as recommended by Ofsted. A great inspired meeting.
• We asked good questions and there was an honest debate. It was not just about the Ofsted comments we were discussing, but the discussion had would ensure that we was making steps to make our services better.
• The discussion about the IRO and recommendations made. They would make big differences to see how we was ensured everyone listed to and more transparent of where people will go to, and care leavers and the conversation and the depth of it. Excited to making a difference to prepare young person to go out into the world.
• To see Ashleigh here and to see her growth and to help in improving service to the care leavers. Passion in LAC and pleased that the Staying Put Policy was now agreed.

The Panel unanimously identified a young person, Kieran, and shared their appreciation of his positive progress and how he was moving on well. The Panel wished Kieran all the best.