The Panel highlighted
the following accomplishments which helped Children in Care (each
Panel member was asked in turn to comment):
- The performance
scorecard - it was very positive to have the involvement of the two
young people in discussion of this item.
- The issues raised about
indicators during the discussion had been recorded in the minutes
and would be reviewed by the Panel at future meetings.
- The Panel will continue
to receive information on the local offer summary and be able to
comment on and improve the accessibility of this for young
people.
- The Panel valued
hearing directly from young people in care and their suggestions of
improvements that can be made. For example, ensuring young people
know how to make a complaint.
- The contribution of the
young people present at the meeting showed it was right to have
representatives of the CICC involved. Keen to focus on Personal
Education Plans and how all the parties involved in their
production can work as an effective team.
- There is the
opportunity here to really achieve change. The local offer summary
has to be accessible to all children, recognising the range of
needs.
- Good to have young
people and foster carers here. Good to
hear what happens in foster homes and what the children
feel.
- Foster carers’
presence. Our commitment to making sure that we have clear actions
that we review them so we know where we are in the improvement
journey and how we are supporting young people. The commitment in
the room means that when we are challenging it is understood that
this is intended to help make things better.
- This year this panel
had made a change in foster care.
Officers are able to understand why we are asking questions. We are
supported to ask questions.
- Hearing positive things
from foster carers. There are a number of things that still need
work. Positivity from foster carers is good, as foster carers are a
tough audience. This is to be celebrated as it makes a difference
to children as they spend all day with children and they are always
child centred. We have had good attendance from the Children in
Care Council; they are feeding backing what children are telling
them to tell us. This is a step in the right direction. For
example, talking about the complaints procedure. This has made a
difference.
- Great to see young
people working on the pledge and we have a core offer for LAC.
Needed to do the same for the pledge – having young people
leading on this is good. Having foster carers present was also
good. But we also have LAC who do not know how to make a complaint
and an IRO who does not know how to talk to young
people.
- We know our strengths
and weakness as a result of the scorecard. Impressed with the
clarity of the complaints procedure. Valued hearing from foster
carers.
- We had discussed the
reduction of the text for the core offer but this had not happened
and we have not got that right balance yet. Some papers were
missing which was not addressed sufficiently.