Agenda and minutes

To be notified of the appointment of any Substitute Members.

Pursuant to the Council’s Constitution the following substitutin was reported:

Councillor J Kirwin for Councillor I Grayson

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in the matter appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensation in relation to any registerable and/or non-registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

Please complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2024

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2024 were approved as a correct record subject to Ms Fiona Burton, Mr Stephen Fallon and Rev Michael Vine being noted as being in attendance at the meeting.

The Sub-Committee will receive a report to provide an update in relation to the Corporate Parenting responsibilities held by the Council and update on planned future developments for the Corporate Parenting Forum.

A report was presented which provided an update in relation to the corporate parenting responsibilities held by the Council.

The Sub-Committee were reminded that scrutiny of the Council’s corporate parenting responsibilities being fulfilled is through the Corporate Parenting Forum.

The report outlined progression against current Corporate Parenting Priorities which included:

·       Review of the Fostering Strategy – completed in October 2022 and launched with revised fostering allowances to keep North Tyneside in line with minimum government recommended levels.

·       Implementation of the Mockingbird Fostering Model – the first constellation went live in October, and whilst successful there has been learning from this.  The second constellation was launched in November 2023 and the third is planned for March 2024.

·       Review of the staffing and workforce within children’s residential service, providing care for the most vulnerable children – current staffing structures throughout the children’s homes have been evaluated.  Supported accommodation, Starting Point, is now registered with Ofsted.

·       Progression of the Multi Agency Looked After Partnership (MALAP) action plan priorities with Children in Care Council – a You Said, We Did event was completed in 2024 to showcase actions taken in response to the MALAP.

·       Evaluation of the New Belongings Coram survey – following evaluation and incorporation into the MALAP action plan, the Local offer was revised and launched online

The update report also provided information relating to key performance information up to the end of December 2023 (quarter 3).

It was noted that ‘missing episodes’ had decreased in 2023/24 but queries were raised regarding this.  The Sub-Committee were informed that officers do have intelligence and robust systems in place to address these episodes and work continues to develop this.  Assurances were given that in the event there were concerns regarding missing episodes, actions can be put in place to address any specific vulnerabilities.  It was also highlighted that the work with partners including the police has vastly improved.

In relation to the Mockingbird Fostering model, it was informed that whilst this is a new model to be delivered, staff are now more confident in the model and it’s application.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted

Presentation attached to update the Sub Committee on the Best Start in Life and Family Hub Offer in North Tyneside.

The Sub-Committee received a presentation regarding ‘Best Start in Life’, a system wide model of providing high-quality, whole-family, joined up, family support services.

Partnership working is very important as the model is not just about one particular service.  Detail regarding the universal offer, targeted offer and digital offer was provided.  It was highlighted that parents are able to access support at the level which they require, can use the service as more of a drop in or work can be more targeted where there is a need identified by the family that more support is required.

It is recognised that not all children are ready for early years learning and more targeted work will take place with identified schools so that children will be ready to learn when the start in the September.

Regarding children in care, it was advised that there is an ongoing process and clear guidance as to what is expected at stages of child development.  It is around the right provision of help at the right time whilst transitioning at the right time.

The 0-19 performance data for quarter three was presented.  This included:

·       New born visits (face to face achieved)  - 89.2%, which remains consistent with the same period in the previous year

·       6-8 week visits (face to face achieved) – 94.6% which remains consistent with the previous year

·       15 month contact (face to face achieved) - 92.8%, an increase of over 2% from the same period in the previous year

·       2 ½ year contacts (face to face achieved) – 86.8%, an increase of over 5.5% from the same period in the previous year

·       154 conversations opened with the 0-5 ParentLine service, similar to quarter 3 2022/23  

To ensure the offers are accessible, provision is available within community buildings and also online for those who do not or cannot attend in person. By taking a locality model approach officers/partners are more accessible.

It is recognised that not all parents will want to engage with services in this way and that to ensure milestones are met, health visit checks and checks in schools are carried out.  Processes are in place within the Council and across the voluntary sector should any safeguarding concerns be raised.

It was noted that offers are available for all family members and that work is taking place with specific groups within the community.  By encouraging parents to lead it is hoped this will establish a parent sharing experience.

Footfall to the Family Hub Model has to date resulted in 2186 visitors accessing the activities ran from the hub and following training by Registrar staff, Hub staff are now able to register births.

The Committee welcomed the work which has been undertaken and the model which is in place that makes it easier for families to know where they can get help and that officers and partners are able to signpost them to the most appropriate service so that they receive the right support and information at the right time.

RESOLVED – That  ...  view the full minutes text for item F29/23

A presentation will be provided at the meeting

The Committee received a presentation that provided an update on the ‘Year of Voice of the Child’.

The Committee were informed that the Voice of the Child was launched on 26 June 2023 and has involved a series of activities which will ensure that children and young people are seen and heard.  The activities, events and training which have taken place have put children’s perspectives at the heart of decision making which is helping to shape policy. Opportunity has also been provided for officers and members to develop their skills to work effectively with children and young people.

A whole year of the Voice of the Child was chosen as it is children and young people’s right to be involved in the decisions that effect them. Services will be more effective, better targeted and received where children and young people have been involved. Information can be gained from children and young people as citizens and customers about their changing attitudes and needs, their views as to what constitutes quality in service provision and barriers to accessing services.  It was highlighted that services and policies can be designed, delivered and evaluated based on actual rather than a presumed need.  Children and young people can build on existing skills and develop new ones, whilst increasing confidence and self esteem. 

The Committee were provided with an update regarding the highlights so far which have come from the activities that have taken place in relation to:

·       Youth Democracy refresh

·       Annual Conversations

·       Childrens Council Playground project

·       Return Home Coordinator

·       SEND playscheme during holidays

·       Youth Elections

·       Ready for Life Game

·       SEND Youth Forum increased Engagement

The Committee welcomed the presentation and the approach taken.

Resolved That the presentation be noted