Committees
The Joint Committee on Children and Young People will take place in the Training and Conference Room, The Pines, Drummond Road, Inverness on 5 June 2009 at 2.15 pm. Please note change of venue.
A tour of the premises will be available at 2 p.m.
Please note that there is limited parking available.
Michelle Morris
Assistant Chief Executive
Highland Council
Declarations of Interest – Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting. Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.
Business
1. Apologies
2. Minutes of Meeting of the Joint Committee held on 27 March
2009
Circulated for noting.
3. The Pines Centre
The Joint Committee is informed that The Pines, a multi-agency centre for children on the autistic spectrum, has been set up with the aim of providing a one-stop-shop and to act as the hub for Highland’s multi-agency autism services, supporting local diagnosis and local provision, providing quality assurance and specialist advice.
The Joint Committee is asked to note the position.
4. For Highland’s Children 3 – Update
Report No CYP-19-09 by Innis Mitchell, Children’s Planning Officer provides an update on the preparation of the new integrated children’s services plan.
The Joint Committee is asked to consider the format and structure and to agree the timescale for consultation on the strategic themes of the plan.
5. SureStart Funding and Future Developments
Report No CYP-20-09 by Bill Alexander, Head of Children’s Services updates the Committee on developments in Surestart services for vulnerable young children, and makes proposals for the additional investment agreed by Highland Council.
The Joint Committee is asked to agree the proposals for additional posts and services, as detailed in the report, subject to the agreement of the Highland Council’s Resources Committee.
6. Recruitment of Social Work Staff - Update
Report No CYP-21-09 by Bill Alexander, Head of Children’s Services provides an update on the level of vacancies for qualified Social Workers across the authority.
The Joint Committee is asked to comment on the issues raised in the report.
7. Youth Justice Services
Report No CYP-22-09 by Bill Alexander, Head of Children’s Services provides an update on youth justice services and makes proposals for closer working between Youth Action Teams and Northern Constabulary, including new services to ensure a continuum of responses to offending behaviour. This includes redirecting funding that was previously allocated to SACRO.
The Joint Committee is asked to agree the proposal for a Youth Co-ordinator in each of the Police Command areas linking with the Youth Action Teams and providing continuum of service provision.
8. Getting It Right For Every Child – Update
Report No CYP-23-09 by Bill Alexander, Head of Children’s Services updates Members on the implementation of “Getting It Right for Every Child” across Highland, including the event held on 5 May 2009 with the Minister for Children and Early Years.
The Joint Committee is invited to comment on the issues raised and to consider how they would wish to receive further updates now that the roll-out programme is complete.
9. Future Business of Joint Committee for Children and Young People
Report No CYP-24-09 by Bill Alexander, Head of Children’s Services setting out a proposed list of reports to be considered at future meetings of the Joint Committee on Children and Young People.
The Joint Committee is asked to note the proposed list of reports.
10. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Joint Committee will be held on Friday 14 August 2009 at 10.30 am. in the Boardroom, Assynt House, Beechwood Park, Inverness.