Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report

1. Executive Summary

1.1 At its meeting on 16 July 2009, the Council approved a proposal by the Leader of the Council to establish a Children and Families Advisory Panel reporting to the Executive Member for Children's Services. The principal area of activity for the Panel will be the development of further strategies to enhance the safeguarding of children in Hampshire and to ensure that children in care in Hampshire achieve the best possible outcomes. This Advisory Panel will be a sister body to the Education Advisory Panel that was established in February 2008 and it is proposed that it comprise 9 members and be a proportionate body (6:3). The Leader proposed and the Council agreed that Councillor Mrs Marilyn Tucker be appointed Chairman of the Advisory Panel. The remainder of the nominations will be circulated at the Council meeting. The Advisory Panel now proposes the following terms of reference for adoption.

1.2 The Executive Member for Children's Services and the Director of Children's services are considering the appointment of co-optees to this Advisory Panel and any such proposals will be submitted to the Council at a later date.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

It is recommended to the County Council:-

(a) That the terms of reference of the Children and Families Advisory Panel ("the Panel") be as follows:

To consider and advise the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services in relation to:

(i) the development of further strategies that will enhance the
safeguarding of children in Hampshire and ensure that children
in care in Hampshire achieve the best possible outcomes.

(ii) the performance of the Children and Families branch of the Children's Services Department and that of its partners in
relation to such national and local targets as may be set.

(iii) the outcomes of Ofsted inspection of safeguarding,
children in care, children's homes, fostering services and adoption services as they may arise from time to time and any actions that are required to improve services

(iv) excellent and innovative practice in children's social care
settings from which others can learn.

(v) any matters that may arise in relation to the council's
requirement to be corporate parents for children in care.

(vi) the views of children in care about the services they receive
from the council.

Terms of Reference

2. After consultation with the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services the Terms of Reference above are recommended for the Council's approval.