To receive apologies for absence from Members of the Committee

Apologies had been received from Councillor Nat Green and Councillor Ruth Houghton, who were substituted by Councillors David Vasmer and Roger Evans respectively. Apologies were also received from Sian Lines from the Diocesan Board of Education.

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

No interests were declared.

The minutes of the last meeting, held on 16 November 2022, are attached for confirmation.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th November 2022 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 5pm on Thursday 2^nd February 2023.

There were no public questions.

To receive any questions of which Members of the Council have given notice. The deadline for this meeting is 5pm on Thursday 2^nd February 2023.

There were no member questions.

Scrutiny of arrangements to tackle child exploitation in Shropshire, following recent presentations to the committee.

Contact: Sonya Miller - 01743 254264

Report to follow

Sonya Miller, Assistant Director for Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding, introduced the item and was joined by colleagues from various teams in Shropshire Council, West Mercia Police, NHS Midlands Partnership and West Mercia Youth Justice Service. Members were reminded that an in-depth presentation was given at the last meeting where it was requested that a summary report be brought back to committee, identifying what action partners have taken in response to the recommendations from the Telford Enquiry.

TREES (Together Reducing & Ending Exploitation in Shropshire) was confirmed as the formal pathway for reporting concerns with regards to child exploitation. An agreed process was in place which included triage, risk assessments and data sharing with members of the partnership to provide support on a case by case basis. Concerns can also be raised through Crimestoppers, Safer Neighbourhood Teams and 101. It was felt that it was important to raise awareness of these organisations to promote the reporting of concerns and protecting vulnerable young people.

Members queried the number of exploited children who were not currently in education and were advised that this was a high percentage. Members noted that a piece of work was being carried out by the Education team to reduce the number of permanent exclusions and to track any children currently out of education as they were deemed to be at a higher risk of exploitation.

Members were advised of the various services on offer to support children, including the TMBSS referral unit, Bright Stars Boxing, diversionary pathways through the Youth Justice Service and drug and alcohol advisors.

It was noted that there was a gap in the provision of psychological and emotional support, resulting in a waiting list for assessments. Members felt that this should be a priority to address this gap and a request was made for the number of people currently on a waiting list.

Members were advised that the Criminal Exploitation Panel meet once a month to discuss new referrals and intelligence and to identify areas of concerns such as hot spots.

RECOMMENDED:

That Members agreed the following recommendations as set out in the report and requested that waiting times for children seeking psychological and emotional support are provided as soon as possible:

·       Implementation of a pathway for addressing the trauma experienced as a result of exploitation, this would need to be in collaboration with the ICS. Aim is to ensure direct access from Together Reducing & Ending Exploitation in Shropshire (TREES) to specialist trauma support relating to exploitation.

·       Implementation of transition pathway for young people who continue to be exploited at the point of turning 18 years old. Working with Adult Services in Health and Social Care, the voluntary sector and the police.

·       A safeguarding report is due to be published which will include the voice of the child, learning needs to be taken from the review and recommendations implemented as appropriate.

·       Implementation of a 5 year partnership strategy re: exploitation. There needs to be a continued commitment to the response to exploitation across the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

Follow-up scrutiny of projects presented to the committee in 2021.

Contact: Natalie McFall – 01743 253719

Report to follow

Kelly Kubilius, Team Leader Preparing for Adulthood, together with Carole Croxford, Service Manager Ops South Adult Social Care Management, and Sarah Thomas, Parent and Carer Council (PACC), introduced the report which provided an overview of developments in Shropshire Council’s PfA Team with regards to a Pilot Projects Update, Early Intervention and Future Planning.

Members welcomed the report and praised the teams involved for ensuring support was available for young people moving into adulthood.

Members noted the importance of maintaining the structure and progress of EHCPs when transitioning into adulthood and ensuring support was being continuously reviewed and updated as appropriate.

Members were advised that PACC’s role was to work at ground level to bring people together and build confidence, so individuals feel able to accept opportunities to gain life skills. It was hoped that funding can be secured to develop hubs to allow people to be embedded within their own community. An online portal was also in the pipeline to allow opportunities for work experience to be advertised.

It was felt that health played a vital role and it was requested that health colleagues be present at a future meeting.

Members noted that there was a Children & Young People Complex Needs Summit on 6 March 2023 and it was suggested that a report regarding the number of families not receiving support be brought back to a future meeting.

RECOMMENDED:

·       That thanks be given to all staff involved in Preparing for Adulthood (PfA).

·       That the updated action plan from the CYP (Children & Young People) Complex Needs Summit be shared with members at the next People Overview meeting on 29^th March 2023.

·       That a further update for the committee from the PfA team in 18 months’ time was requested.

To consider the future work programme of the Committee. Report to follow.

Contact Danial Webb – 01743 258509

RECOMMENDED:

That:

·       The meeting in March would cover the SEND Report and the CYP Complex Needs Summit.

·       The items on Fostering and adoption, and social worker recruitment, and Safeguarding and community safety partnership annual report are deferred until the June or July 2023 meeting.

·       That the best way to brief members on progress, impact and issues relating to Post 16 Destinations and Closing the Gap – Pupil Attainment be explored and taken forward

To note that the next meeting of the People Overview Committee will be held at 1.30pm on Wednesday 29^th March 2023.

Members noted that the next meeting would take place on Wednesday 29^th March 2023 at 10am.