Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Executive Director, People

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Executive Director, People, which provided an update on the Route 21 Care Leavers Service, which was formulated by integrating the former 15 plus Social Work Team and the Shaftsbury Personal Advisor Service which was de-commissioned in March 2013. The service restructure, which was implemented in December, 2013, had enabled the Council to move forward with an integrated service for Care Leavers, which is more efficient and effective in fulfilling the Council’s responsibilities as a corporate parent, providing a consistent level of care and support, and improving outcomes for Care Leavers.

  The report also sought approval of the revised Care Leavers Finance Policy which sets out the rational for the offer provided to Looked After Children and Care Leavers during their transition to adulthood. The Policy had been updated through consultation with young people, internal and external partners and stakeholders. This should provide the service and young people with clarity about how the Council will support both Looked After Children and Care Leavers approaching the transition into adulthood in respect of their entitlements and other financial support.

  The Cabinet Member and Shadow Cabinet Member questioned officers on a number of aspects of the report, including the use of supported accommodation for Care Leavers; Pathway Plans and how young people’s aspirations are met; how progress and performance management are monitored; and work undertaken to encourage local firms to provide apprenticeships and job opportunities for Looked After Children and Care Leavers. Officers were requested to provide a Briefing Note detailing information regarding the routes young people have taken once they have left care over the last few years. 

  RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member (Children and Young People):-

  (1)  Notes the progress being made

  (2)  Approves the financial policy

  (3)  Requests that letters be sent from the Cabinet Member (Children and

  Young People) to the Chair of the Coventry Local Enterprise 

  Partnership and appropriate private sector companies with a view to

  encouraging them to give primary consideration to Looked After

  Children and Care Leavers in relation to apprenticeships and

  appropriate employment

Report of the Executive Director, People

The Cabinet Member considered the Annual Report of the Coventry Safeguarding Children Board 2013-14 which detailed the activity and performance of the Board over the year from April 2013 to March 2014.  A copy of the draft report was reviewed by the Education and Children’s Services Scrutiny Board (2) at their meeting on 21^st July, 2014 (Minute 3/14 refers)

  The report provided detailed information on work in following areas during the past 12 months:-

·  Governance and Accountability Arrangements

·  Core Local Safeguarding Children Board Business

·  Effective Challenge in Specific Safeguarding Circumstances

The report also identified the priorities for the CSCB during 2014/15.

The Cabinet Member sought assurances in relation to the implementation of all previous recommendations from the CSCB and requested that a Briefing Note be prepared detailing how the Health and Police contributions to the budget are formulated and how they compare to contributions to other comparative Local Authorities.

  RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member (Children and Young People) notes the annual report of the Coventry Safeguarding Children Board and the Business Plan.

Report of the Executive Director, Resources

The Cabinet Member noted a report of the Executive Director, Resources that

identified those issues on which further reports had been requested and were outstanding, so that progress could be monitored.

There were no other items of public business.