[For the Board to participate in workshop-style exercises including Total Respect]
Minutes:
There were round table introductions and a member of the Children in Care Council (CiCC) opened the workshop with an ice breaker question.
The first exercise comprised of the Board being split into teams. Members of the CiCC provided various scenarios of life events for a young person in care and the teams were asked to list the adults who they thought would be involved with the young person at each stage. When counted, numbers ranged from 32 – 36 professionals potentially becoming involved with a child or young person in care.
The aim of the exercise was for Board members to gain an understanding of the number of adults involved with a child or young person in care and how overwhelming this was for them. It was noted that the high numbers of professionals involved highlighted the importance of early intervention which could prevent more serious issues escalating. It was suggested that this could prevent causing distress for the young person and a financial impact for the Authority.
It was also noted that the more professionals a young person encountered, the more instances they had to repeat the particulars of their situation, which may cause distress in some cases.
It was also suggested that the more a child was moved around, each carer they were placed with had to start again to learn about the new child in their care. It was noted that this could pose difficulties in guiding them through difficult times. It was added that empathy for a child that was not [your] own could be hard to achieve in such a short space of time.
One of the young people highlighted that they had felt different parenting styles often had different effects for a child in care. They felt that a relaxed approach had helped them realise that they were not yet ready for independence.
The next exercise took the form of a quiz during which a number of questions were asked of Board members. The correct answers were then read out and various points were raised for each.
Milestone Birthdays:
It was outlined that milestone birthdays for children and young people in care were acknowledged in the following ways:
· 13th Birthday - £150.00 to spend on gifts
· 16th Birthday - £180.00 to spend of gifts
· 18th Birthday through to 21st Birthday – a birthday card from Emma Bennett, Director of Children’s Services and £25.00
It was noted that the figures had been arrived at by consulting with the young people who had preferred to have the money split rather than receive a lump sum on their 18th birthday.
Informing foster carers and residential care workers about the rights of children in care:
It was noted that both the Children and Young People in Care guide and Care Leaver Offer booklet contained information in relation to this. Further information was also incorporated into the Total Respect training.
How educational achievements of children and young people were celebrated:
It was highlighted that the Aspire to Uni programme was a way of encouraging achievements and this would be covered in more detail at item 7 on the agenda.
It was also noted that the I Awards was the most prominent way of recognising achievement and the next event would take place on 5 April 2019, hosted at the Molineux. Children and young people, carers, independent reviewing officers usually attended and members of Corporate Parenting Board were invited to attend this year’s event. It was highlighted that internal Communications usually delivered a press release to the local news and the event was heavily publicised internally.
Alice Vickers, Corporate Parenting Officer advised that Mark Taylor, Deputy Managing Director had been encouraging partners such as West Midlands Police, members of the voluntary sector and various local businesses to contribute to the event. Attempts were being made to secure football mascots Wendy and Wolfie to appear.
The I Awards event was commended by Councillors and it was agreed that there was much to be celebrated. There was a renewed commitment to improving the lives of children and young people in care and it was requested that any ideas, suggestions and useful contact details be forwarded to Emma Bennett, Director of Children’s Services or Alice Vickers, Corporate Parenting Officer.
The cost of buying necessary items:
The Board were asked to estimate the cost of certain necessary items for a 16-year-old. This was to demonstrate how much financial support was required for a young person.
Written policy for the frequency and purpose of social worker visits:
It was explained that, as part of the current care package for a child entering care or being placed with a new carer, initial weekly visits were normally held and then the frequency fell to every six weeks.
After one year, the frequency was dependant on the personal plan. If the child was with their carer until the age of 18, the visits were every three months. If the child was due to leave a placement before the age of 18, visits were every six weeks.
In response to being asked how many of the young people present had a direct contact number for their social worker, the young people stated that not all of them did.
In response to being asked if they were able to have a 1:1 visit with their social worker, it was stated that they could either meet their social worker in a safe public place or have their carer exit the room when being visited by their social worker.
Following this exercise, the young people from CiCC and Care Leaver’s Forum provided an update on activities and events they had participated in from July 2018 to the present.
The CiCC reported that:
· They had participated in the Make your Mark Campaign, Youth Council meetings and the BSafe Team Activity Weekend, including rock climbing, abseiling and other outdoor pursuits;
· BSafe Team Meetings and the last one included a focus on youth knife crime and its effects;
· They had participated in the Youth Parliament and the young people had also met Tim Johnson, Managing Director on a Youth Council Engagement event;
· The young people had been consulted on the use of term ‘looked after children.’ They had taken part in suggesting new terminology and voted on the use of the term ‘children and young people in care’;
· The young people had interviewed social worker staff in an exercise to restructure the role;
· They had visited the Key to Inspiration residential home and taken part in interviewing applicants for staff positions;
· The young people had been consulted as part of the Mental Health Review to ascertain how being in care affected mental health;
· They had participated in Takeover Day, during which the young people took part in engagement activities at the Civic Centre;
· A Christmas party had been held for children and young people in care.
The Care Leavers’ Forum reported that:
· Total Respect training had been delivered by the young people to prisons, the University of Wolverhampton, Job Centres and schools throughout Wolverhampton;
· They had been consulted as part of the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) work developing the Protocol;
· They had been involved with the launch of the Covenant and Care Leavers’ Offer;
· They had organised and participated in a baking competition, similar to Great British Bake Off;
· In September 2018, the free WVActive passes had included allowing a ‘plus one.’
The issue was raised regarding safeguarding care leavers’ savings should they need to claim benefits in the event of them being unable to find work. It was clarified that this was being explored and the previous Chair of Corporate Parenting Board had written a letter of support to the Department for Work and Pensions. A presentation had been prepared by members of the Care Leavers’ Forum to deliver to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) leads in respect of the regional protocol.
Resolved:
That the CiCC and Care Leavers’ Forum Workshops including Total Respect exercises be noted.