Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Children’s Services and Service Manager, Children’s Services which was presented to inform Members of the progress made by Blaenau Gwent Corporate Parenting Board (CPB) throughout 2019 to improve outcomes and services for our Children Looked After (CLA).

The Service Manager, Children’s Services spoke to the report and highlighted the main points contained therein.

In response to a Member’s question regarding the use of unregistered care facilities, the Director of Social Services said that the Authority only used unregistered care facilities on a temporary basis until a suitable registered facility could be found.

A Member requested an update on capacity within the 14+ team.  The Service Manager, Children’s Services confirmed that the Safeguarding Manager was now in place and the team were at full capacity and were able to progress outstanding issues.

A Member enquired regarding the 10 young people in the Blaenau Gwent Corporate Traineeship Programme established in 2017, the Service Manager said that 2 young people were engaged, 1 in Housing Solutions and 1 in Tai Calon and the other 8 had either moved on to paid employment or undertaken further training.  The Service Manager would provide Members with further details on their current status.

A Member enquired regarding mental health and well-being support for young people.  The Service Manager said that recruitment of a Psychologist in the Placement Team had been unsuccessful as applicants were reluctant to accept a short term contract, however, other options for access to psychology were being explored.  The Task and Finish Group which included key partners such as the Aspire programme were still looking at this area of work even though no psychologist was in place. 

With regard to the Looked After Children (LAC) reference no longer used, a Member requested that the reference Children Looked After (CLA) be used consistently in future reports.

The Committee AGREED to recommend, subject to the foregoing, that the report be accepted and endorse Option 1, namely that Members acknowledge progress made throughout 2019 and feel confident that the Local Authority and its partners are doing well to improve outcomes for our looked after children as part of our corporate parenting responsibilities.

Councillor Jonathan Millard left the meeting at this juncture.