Archived decisions

Contact: Pam Robinson, ext no 7991, [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions were made:

(a) That Cabinet endorses the attached response submitted by the Director of Children's Services to the Green Paper consultation;

(b) That Cabinet gives its approval for the establishment of a Members' Corporate Parent Group and notes the introduction of the officer working group as described within the paper;

(c) That work be undertaken to explore how the Hampshire Actions Teams (HATs) could contribute to the well being and progress of children in the care of the County Council.

2. Reason

2.1 On 9 October 2006, the Department for Education and Skills published the Green Paper - "Care Matters." In this paper, the Government describes the ways in which it believes children who are unable to grow up with their birth parents should be cared for. The Government seeks the views of stakeholders in children's services in relation to its proposals. The closing date for consultation is 15 January 2007.

2.2 Following consultation with officers, elected Members and young people, a response has been co-ordinated by the Strategic County Manager (Children & Families), the Strategic Service Manager (children living away from home), the manager of the team for the education of children in care and the former participation development worker.

2.3 The consultation revealed agreement between the stakeholders, and, as a result, the County Council's Children's Services Department would like to recommend a corporate response to the paper.

2.4 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priorities:

· "Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - by contributing to Government policy on children in care, and ensuring the life chances of children in care are enhanced; and

· "Maximising well-being" - by contributing to Government policy as above.

These decisions are supportive of all five of the Children Act 2004 outcomes for children as they apply to this most vulnerable group.

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 No other options were considered; it was always deemed to be best practice, to send a corporate response from Hampshire to the Green Paper.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted - none.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE, Chairman