Committees
The Joint Committee on Children and Young People will take place in the Council Chamber, Highland Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Friday 2 October 2009 at 2.15 pm. Tea and coffee will be available from 2.00 pm.
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 14 August
2009
Minutes of Meeting of the Joint Committee 14 Aug 2009 - Circulated for noting.
3. Revenue Budget 2008/09 – Monitoring Report
Report No CYP-33-09 by Bill Alexander, Head of Children’s Services details the position of the Joint Committee for Children and Young People budget as at 31 August 2009.
The Joint Committee is asked to note the current budget position as at 31 August 2009.
4. For Highland’s Children 3
Report No CYP-34-09 by Innis Mitchell, Children’s Planning Officer provides Members with an opportunity to consider the outcome of the morning Seminar on the proposed new Integrated Children’s Plan.
The Joint Committee is asked to comment on issues arising from the Seminar, and to advise on any further changes that are required to the Integrated Children’s Plan.
5. Lifestyle Survey
Report No CYP-35-09 by Louise Jones, Health Promoting Schools Manager briefs the Committee on the progress of the Highland Lifestyle Survey which has been designed to provide additional evidence to the For Highland’s Children 3 improvement objectives (HEALTHY). The Report also presents a summary of the findings, background and methodology of the Highland Lifestyle Survey.
The Joint Committee is asked to consider and comment on the data presented and to note that it will be used as additional evidence to support the improvement objectives for 2009-12 that will be included in For Highland’s Children 3.
6. Youth Migration – HIE study
Report No CYP-36-09 by Ruth Sime, HIE introduces a presentation on the outcomes of the recent study into youth migration from Highland.
The Joint Committee is asked to consider and comment on the issues raised in the report.
7. Northern Lights
Report No CYP-37-09 by Bill Alexander, Head of Children’s Services updates Members further on the work being undertaken to establish an intensive care and learning resource in Highland, to enable the return of children from out of authority placements, and to help achieve identified efficiencies. While consultation continues, Barnardo’s has drafted proposals and provided costings that confirm that this is a viable proposition.
The Position Statement on the Northern Lights Reintegration Service is circulated separately as Booklet A. (Due to the document size it is not possible to add it to the website but you can request either a paper or CD copy by contacting tel: 01463 702150)
The Joint Committee is asked to agree that Barnardo’s be given authority to acquire the property to proceed with Northern Lights.
8. Dundee Child Protection Committee: Significant Case Review
Report No CYP-38-09 by Harriet Dempster, Director of Social Work informs Members of the significant case review findings into the circumstances surrounding the death of Brandon Lee Muir in Dundee, and notes the response of the Scottish Government and the consideration of the report by the Highland Child Protection Committee.
The Joint Committee is asked to note the positive endorsement and support of the “Getting it Right for Every Child” approach and to consider the comments from the Highland Child Protection Committee.
9. Supporting Parents in Highland
Report No CYP-39-09 by Julia Nelson, Health Development Officer proposes the further development of a co-ordinated approach to support parenting across integrated children’s services partners in Highland.
The Joint Committee is asked to approve the development of a Highland Parenting Support Framework, endorsing the process as set out in the report.
10. Children’s Rights Services
Report No CYP-40-09 by Innis Mitchell, Children’s Planning Officer sets out proposals to establish a new Children’s Rights Service for Highland’s looked after children with Who Cares? Scotland.
The Joint Committee is asked to agree that Who Cares? Scotland be asked to provide a one-stop children’s rights service for Highland’s looked after children, and that discussions are progressed to provide an outline contractual agreement. When this is achieved Who Cares? Scotland should be requested to make a presentation at an appropriate meeting of the Joint Committee so that final approval can be considered.
11. Future Business of Joint Committee for Children and Young People
Report No CYP-41-09 by Bill Alexander, Head of Children’s Services sets 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.
12. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Joint Committee will be held on Friday 20 November 2009 at 10.30 am in the Boardroom, Assynt House, Beechwood Park, Inverness.
13. Dates of Future Meetings
The following dates are proposed for meetings of the Joint Committee during 2010:-
Friday 15 January 2010 at 2.15 pm
Friday 12 March 2010 at 10.30 am
Friday 4 June 2010 at 2.15 pm
Friday 13 August 2010 at 10.30 am
Friday 1 October 2010 at 2.15 am
Friday 12 November 2010 at 10.30 am
Members are asked to note that those meetings scheduled for the afternoon will be preceded by a morning Seminar. Venues will be confirmed nearer the time.