Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Cllrs Jasbinder Dehar and Mrs Christine Mills.

Cllr Dr Michael Hardacre declared personal interests in any matters pertaining to Woodthorne School [Chair of Governors], Central Learning Partnership (Heath Park, Moseley Park and Woden Primary Schools) [Director], Base 25 [Director], City of Wolverhampton College (Governor) and Graiseley Primary (Governor).

The Chair, Cllr Val Gibson, invited those present to introduce themselves. Introductions were duly made.

[For approval]

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the deletion of “Catch 22” in Minute No. 2 and the substitution therefor of “Base 25”.

[To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2014]

There were no matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2014.

[To receive the LAC CAMHS Annual Report]

Dr Roberta Fry presented the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Looked After Children (LAC) Annual Report for the period April 2013 to March 2014. She drew to the attention of the Panel that the graph in respect of “referral Rate 2013/14” did not include data on ethnicity/gender etc. due to a change in the data recording system but offered to respond to any individual questions on that element of the report outside the meeting.

Cllr Paula Brookfield referred to the number of teenagers referred to the service and enquired as to whether earlier referrals would lead to a reduction in the number of on-going cases. Dr Fry explained that dealing with the LAC population was not as straightforward as dealing with mainstream cases inasmuch as the CAMHS was required to work within the care system. She reminded the Board that the majority of the LAC population were not subject to referral to CAMHS. The timeliness of a referral was a key issue but was also dependent on when the young person was ready to participate in the referral process. Cllr Paula Brookfield commended the concept of the “Agony Aunt” type column being made available on the website which the young people were likely to find a more accessible format for initial contact with CAMHS.

With regard to the Referral Rate, Cllr Dr Michael Hardacre enquired as to whether any comparisons on either a regional, national or family group basis were available in order to assist the Board in understanding the scale of the issue and the Council’s performance. Dr Fry advised that such information was not available and reminded the Board that not all authorities with Social Service responsibilities commissioned a dedicated service through CAMHS for LAC. He also referred to the “advantage of consultations to Social Work Team” section of the report and commented that it did not include any reference to consultations being undertaken with young people. He suggested that comparisons with other authorities on the approaches adopted would be helpful.

Cllr Martin Waite enquired as to the position with Care Leavers and whether they would be transferred into the mainstream service once they had left local authority care. He also enquired as to whether the Service engaged with the Children in Care Council (CCC). Dr Fry reported that the service worked with young people up to the age of 18 when they would be eligible to transfer to the mainstream mental service for support. In the majority of cases, however, the individual declined to continue to receive support. With regard to the CCC, she informed the Board that she attended meetings and intended to consult on the proposed “Agony Aunt” type column. Cllr Martin Waite enquired as to whether the CCC ever put forward ideas for consideration by CAMHS. Dr Fry advised that she was not aware of any suggestions having been made and this was such great reliance was placed on testimonials received. Cllr Martin Waite suggested that the period of transition between adolescent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

[To receive the Health Care Service Annual Report]

Lorraine Millard and Dr Chitra Ramalingam presented the Health Care Service for Looked After Children Annual Report for the period 1 September 2013 to 31 August 2014. They explained in detail the changes in the provision of the service following the re-organisation of the National Health Service from 1 April 2013 with the responsibility for delivery of the service transferring to the Wolverhampton City Clinical Commissioning Group (WCCCG), the various statutory requirements and steps which had been or were being taken to fulfil these duties.

Cllr Paula Brookfield welcomed the information provided and the progress which had been made over the years. Cllr Rita Potter acknowledged the comments made and enquired as to the age at which sexual health issues were addressed with young people with Mental Health and/or Learning Disability issues. Emma Bennett responded that this particular issue was addressed through schools rather than the NHS. Dr Ramalingham explained that support was provided by both the Sexual Health Service of the WCCCG and School Nurses albeit that for LAC it would be via the NHS LAC Team. Alison Hinds advised that there was also a “Drop In Centre” where advice was available to LAC by the LAC Nurse. Cllr Paula Brookfield opined that for those children with moderate or severe learning disabilities early support was required. Emma Bennett suggested that this was not a specific issue relating only to LAC but also to the wider young people population.

Cllr Dr Michael Hardacre welcomed the report but expressed an element of concern inasmuch as the WCCCG was comprised of General Practitioners and questioned whether the particular needs with children’s mental health and sexual health issues were understood fully. He suggested that there was a possibility of non-compliance with the provisions of the Children’s Act 2004. Specifically he enquired as to whether the following questions on the report could be responded to:

·         Para 4.2 – was the contractual agreement in place to secure the expertise of designated professionals i.e. designated doctors and nurses for safeguarding children and Looked After Children;

·         Para 5.2 – was a Designated Doctor LAC, Named Nurse LAC and a LAC Administration Officer in place and had consideration been given to increasing staffing numbers in the light of the increase in the LAC population;

·         Para 5.4 – whether comparisons on a local / regional of family group basis were available in respect of the performance regarding Initial Health Assessments and Review Health Assessments;

·         Table 4 - the full title of the acronyms “IHA” and “RHA”.

Lorraine Millard reported on the changes at both the WCCCG and the Royal Wolverhampton NHS trust in relation to the Care Service for LAC and on the further steps proposed. She advised on the actions of the Commissioner for Mental Health (including young people) where a multi-service management group had been established to address the new services to be provided. With regard to the question in relation to Para 4.2 – this was currently being addressed. Dr Ramalingam advised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

[To receive a report on Performance Monitoring data in respect of Looked After Children]

Emma Bennett presented Performance Monitoring Information as at 30 September 2014. She advised that the report had been refreshed since the iteration which had been presented to the Board on 23 October 2014 but that variations were minimal.

She drew to the attention of the Board that the percentage of LAC who had had a dental check in the last 12 months (only those who had been LAC for over 12 months) was higher than that for non LAC. With regard to “Average School Attendance” comparisons with the 2012/13 data had also now been provided.

Resolved:

That the report be received and noted.

[To pass the following resolution:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information on the grounds shown below]

Part 2 – items not open to the public and press

Resolved:

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information contained in paragraph 1 of the Act, namely information relating to any individual.

[To receive details of any visits to establishments undertaken by Councillors since the last meeting]

No visits to establishments had been undertaken since the last meeting of the Board. Cllr Martin Waite reported that he would be undertaking a visit to Merridale Street in the near future.

Resolved:

That the dates of proposed visits be re-circulated to members of the Board.