Contact: Rachel Walker, Gill Horrobin

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

a) That the Executive Member for Children and Families consider the recommendations of the Children and Young People Select Committee made at their meeting on 23 January 2008 and agree that the guidance notes which accompany the Pledge clarify that :

(i) the Pledge applies equally to children in care in custody

(ii) that the School Admissions Code requires that children in care be given highest priority in admission authorities' over-subscription criteria; and

(iii) that children in care will always have access to a professional.

b) That the Executive Member for Children and Families approves the proposed Pledge, amended as follows, for children in care, which has been compiled following feedback from the Care Council/Members Workshops;

c) In accordance with the recommendation of the Children and Young People Select Committee, the Pledge contained in paragraph 5.1.1. be amended to read: "We will strive to ensure that you are as healthy as you can be. This does not just mean your physical health if you are ill, it also means helping you to live a healthy lifestyle."

2 Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priority:

"Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - by a commitment to deliver services and remove barriers for children to achieve good life outcomes;

"Maximising well-being" - by improving the quality of life and well being of the children in our care by the services we deliver for them;

"Enhancing our quality of place" - through providing a range of services, from carers to leisure facilities in order to improve children's quality of life whilst in our care.

2.2 The decision supports all 5 Aims of the Children Act by addressing the holistic needs of our children in care

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 Developing a Pledge for Children in Care is a core element of the Children in Care White Paper and demonstrates our commitment to improving the quality of life for the children for whom we are corporate parents.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 None

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

6.1 N/A

Approved by: Date:

........................................

Councillor Mrs Patricia Banks

Executive Member for Children and Families