Archived decisions

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1. Summary and purpose of report

1.1 The Committee's first review is to look at the health of our children and young persons. At its last meeting, the committee appointed Members to a working group to commence the first aspect of the review.

1.2 This report summarises progress of the working group, led by Cllr Mrs Banks, which was asked to undertake the first aspect of the review - examining health care for looked-after children.

1.3 The Committee may wish to consider appointing Members to undertake the second aspect of the review which will look at the health of school age children, and focus particularly on health inequalities.

2. Getting started

2.1 The Committee has, as proposed in the consultation paper last autumn, decided to make more manageable the undertaking of a review of the health of children and young persons by dividing it into parts. The total review will be spread over more than one year: issues identified in earlier parts of the review will inform and direct later parts of the review.

2.2 The first aspect of the review is underway, with a review working group of 6 Members of the Committee considering health care for looked-after children. The consultation paper last autumn proposed that the second aspect should be to look at health of school age children focusing particularly on health inequalities. The Committee may wish to appoint members to a working group to undertake this review, and nominate a Member to lead or chair that working group.

3. Progress in examining health care of look-after children

3.1 The Member working group was asked by the Committee to review health care for looked-after children, those children for whom the County Council has the responsibility of parent or guardian and who have been placed in foster care or a residential home managed by the County Council or another agency. The Committee has asked the working group to complete its review and prepare a report, with recommendations, by the end of 2003.

3.2 The working group has met twice under the chairmanship of Cllr Mrs Banks. It has given initial thought to the scope of the review and decided to focus particularly on issues about records of health and the way in which looked-after children can access health care and information and advice about their physical, mental and social health.

3.3 The working group has considered how it will bring together the information it needs and will secure views from those involved.

3.4 The working group is grateful for assistance from the Social Services Department's Strategic Services Manager for Looked-after Children. The working group looks forward to making contact with colleagues in NHS bodies - the first time that Members will have been in touch with those providing NHS services in this new `scrutiny' role. The working group looks forward to working constructively with them to identify issues and possible improvement.

4. Commencing a review of the health of school age children.

4.1 This aspect of the review would look at the general health of school children, and look particularly to establish inequalities by geographic area and by group. It would look at issues related to health promotion and healthy living. This is an issue which has already been considered in a number of ways - nationally and locally, including by District Councils. Various initiatives by a range of organisations have taken steps to secure an appreciation of issues related to young people's health and promoted initiatives to improve health and encourage healthy lifestyles.

4.2 In this case, it is proposed that a Member working group be appointed to review initiatives already taken and identify those issues where it is considered that a further review would `add value'. Unlike the first working group, it is therefore proposed that this working group be commissioned to make an initial report to the 16 December meeting of this Committee proposing the scope and focus of the review.

4.3 It is proposed that 6 Members be appointed to the working group, including the Vice Chairman who would act as lead Member or chairman.

5. Recommendations

o That the Committee notes with satisfaction the progress made by the working group in progressing the first aspect of a review of the health of our children and young persons.

o That Members be appointed to a working group, under the leadership of the Vice-Chairman, to consider the scope of the second aspect of the review - looking at the health of school age children - and report to the 16 December meeting of this Committee proposing the scope of a review focused on matters which the working group concludes have not been considered in other work.