Agenda and draft minutes

Cllr K Vickers substituted for Cllr Armiger.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and personal or personal and prejudicial interests.

No whip was declared.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting of this panel held on 6 December 2023, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the Chairman.

There were no public speaking requests.

The Chairman welcomed Tom Hewis, Assistant Director - Children's Standards & Regulation, and Anna Heath, Lead Officer Fostering and Commissioning, to the meeting.

The Chairman explained that Tom and Anna had been invited by the panel to update members on the annual report on the Fostering Annual Business Report 2022-23, and the provisions of fostering services across North Lincolnshire.

Tom and Anna delivered a wide-ranging presentation on the report and the service, describing the outcome of the October 2022 Osted inspection, ongoing work to recruit and train foster carers, the supported accommodation scheme, and other efforts to deliver an excellent local service within North Lincolnshire, reducing the need for external placements.

The Chairman then led a discussion on the presentation, with the panel asking questions about the assessment process for prospective foster carers, specialist carers for children with complex needs, practical arrangements for fostering, and educational outcomes for young people in foster care. Tom and Anna responded accordingly, confirming that there were many examples of young people proceeding to further and higher education.  Anna clarified the situation around complex commissioning, confirming that regional arrangements were in place, although they were rarely required locally.

Resolved – (a) That Tom Hewis and Anna Heath be thanked for the presentation and for responding to the panel’s questions; and (b) that the report and presentation be noted and welcomed.

There was no added items for consideration at the meeting.

The Chairman reminded the panel that an additional meeting had been scheduled at 11am on 25 March 2024, to discuss SEND provision.  A site visit to Oasis Aademy – Henderson Avenue had also been proposed, to hear about their work in delivering the Imagination Library.  Members were invited to attend if their diaries permitted it.

Resolved – That the Chairman, Vice-chair, and Mr Howsam attend the site visist on behalf of the panel, and the invitation remain open to other members of the Children’s Scrutiny Panel.