Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2024.

2.1             The minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2024 were approved as a correct record.

2.2             In an update on the actions from the last meeting, a private briefing for Committee members on the Children’s Services member communications protocol would take place following this meeting.

Members of the Committee are invited to declare any pecuniary or personal interests relating to specific matters on the agenda.

Please see note (a) at the end of agenda.

Cllr Dr Andrew Miller declared an interest as a foster carer for Gloucestershire County Council (GCC).

To note the updated Terms of Reference for the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee noted the updated Terms of Reference.

At the full Council meeting on 22 May 2024, the following motion was agreed:

Motion 939 – Apology for the forced adoption of children of unmarried women

Council notes that the report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights ‘Violation of Family Life: Adoption of Children of Unmarried Women’, published in July 2022, sets out the experiences of unmarried mothers in the period 1949 – 1976, when an estimated 185,000 children were taken from unmarried mothers and adopted due to pressure from their families and communities even though their mothers did not want to let them go. Women and girls who became pregnant outside of marriage during these decades were seen as having shamed themselves and their families.

Health and care professionals, voluntary agencies, societal and family pressures, and the absence of support contributed to those of children being taken from loving mothers and placed for adoption. Many of those affected, both mothers and children, have faced life-long suffering.

While adoption legislation and practices have been strengthened since that time, with adoption now considered only when other options have been fully explored, we acknowledge that forced adoptions in this period will have included mothers and children from Gloucestershire and Adoption West has provided support for anyone who has come forward.

Council therefore resolves:

· To call on the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee to consider how the Council can better signpost victims to the information and services available via Adoption West for those affected locally to deal with the impact of the historic forced adoptions.

· To call on Government to review if there are any other barriers that can be removed to help victims, such as providing specialised counselling services, reforms to the sharing of medical information and the removal of administrative barriers.

The Committee to consider a report on the information and services available to those affected locally via Adoption West, and how the Council can better signpost victims to this support.

5.1          Ann James, Executive Director of Children’s Services, presented the report, produced in response to Motion 939 – Apology for the forced adoption of children of unmarried women, which had been agreed by full Council at its meeting on 22 May 2024.

5.2          The motion asked the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider how the Council could better signpost victims to the information and services available via Adoption West for those affected locally to deal with the impact of historic forced adoptions.

5.3          It was explained that adoption support, including for those who had experienced forced adoption, was provided though Adoption West, the regional adoption agency of which Gloucestershire was one of five local authority members.

5.4          Ann James recognised the lifelong impact forced adoption had on those affected and therefore the importance of support being easily accessible.

5.5          It was noted that, in response to the findings of the inquiry to understand the experience of unmarried women whose children were adopted between 1949 and 1976 in England and Wales, which was published by the Joint Committee on Human Rights in July 2022, the Government had introduced legislative amendments to ensure adoption support and counselling services were more easily available to those who required it.

5.6          It was noted that GCC met the requirements of the regulatory framework via the Adoption West Birth Links service. This service provided access to adoption records, signposted to intermediary services, and could provide up to 6 sessions of emotional support to those who required it. 

5.7          It was recognised that whilst these services were largely accessed by those involved in adoption processes today, they had been accessed by those who had experienced forced adoption in the past.

5.8          The limited resources of the Adoption West Birth Links team were acknowledged; however, members were reassured that the team worked to a three-month allocation standard.

5.9          Members noted that officers had considered the Adoption West website, which they had found to be easy to use and informative. However, officers felt that GCC’s website could be clearer in terms of signposting to the Birth Links service.

5.10      Members were advised that work was underway with the Communications Team to develop a specific Council webpage to make accessing this information much easier. Additionally, all ‘front door’ staff at the Council would have the knowledge to signpost to Adoption West’s services.

5.11      Tammy Wheatley, Head of Service for Corporate Parenting and Children in Care, added that the Council worked alongside Adoption West to ensure that responses were timely and to consider providing extra support to those who required it.

5.12      A member queried whether a press release was issued following resolution of the motion at full Council in May 2024. They added that there could be an opportunity following this meeting to highlight the services available. They also asked whether the numbers of people affected by forced adoption between 1949 and 1976 was known.

5.13      It was confirmed that a press release had not been issued  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To receive an overview report on Kinship Caring and Special Guardianship Orders, including the support available.

6.1          Tammy Wheatley provided the Committee with a presentation on Kinship Caring and Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs). The presentation was attached to the agenda papers for the meeting.

6.2          A member sought clarification as to what an Eco-Map was, which was required as part of the full SGO assessment process. They also asked for clarification regarding the data for the number of SGOs for 2023/24. It was explained that the figures relating to previous kinship determined the numbers of SGOs which had been granted where children had previously been living under kinship fostering arrangements. This data had only begun to be collected from this year.

6.3          The member also asked about the outcomes for children living under SGOs compared to the outcomes for children in care. In response, it was explained that nationally, there was no differentiation in outcomes. There were instances where SGOs had broken down and children had come back into care, such as when teenagers were living with grandparents who were getting older. In order to address this, work was being undertaken with potential SGO carers to help them to understand what the future could look like under these arrangements, and for them to consider their support network and who could care for the child should they no longer be able to.

6.4          However, it was known that kinship caring arrangements provided children with more stability and more sense of belonging as they were living with someone with whom they could connect. It was noted that the University of Bristol had conducted some research in this area which highlighted an improved sense of identity and emotional wellbeing for children being cared for under kinship arrangements. Tammy Wheatley proposed speaking with colleagues from the kinship service in Birmingham as to whether there was any specific data on outcomes.

ACTION – Tammy Wheatley

6.5          Another member spoke of the positives of SGOs for children, and recognised that the barriers to these arrangements, for example, financial barriers, were being removed. Tammy Wheatley explained that in the longer term, SGO arrangements were more cost effective as the Council was not required to provide ongoing support services for the child. However, it did make a difference to kinship carers if the Council could provide them with financial support. It was noted that the Council was currently working on a capital programme looking at how to support foster and kinship carers with house adaptations.

6.6          The difficulties of maintaining relationships between birth parents and kinship carers when it came to issues of parental responsibility was acknowledged.

6.7          A member asked about the numbers of children being cared for under informal arrangements. In response, it was explained that it was almost impossible to determine how many children lived under informal care arrangements, such as children living with grandparents. The Council relied on partners, such as schools, to come forward with any concerns relating to these arrangements.

6.8          Another member asked about the current attitude of the courts to SGOs, citing a period in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To consider an update report on progress with the Autism Strategy.

This Committee agreed to defer this item to the next meeting as the presenting officer was unable to attend this meeting due to unforeseen circumstances.

ACTION – Laura Powick

To note the update on the Ambitions Plan.

The Committee noted the report.

To note the Quarter 4 2023/24 Performance Report.

Members are encouraged to email any questions in advance by Monday 15 July 2024.

9.1          The Quarter 4 2023/24 Performance Report was taken as read.

9.2          A member asked for an update on workforce capacity in Children’s Services. It was noted that there had been improvements in the workforce capacity in children’s social care, with a reduction in staff turnover and a reduction in the use of agency staff. However, there was continued pressure within SEND services. To address this, Cabinet had recently agreed for additional investment in this area.

9.3          The member asked for further clarification regarding the workforce capacity issues in SEND services. Kirsten Harrison, Director of Education, explained that educational psychologists had a pivotal role in Educational, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) assessments. However, the recruitment of educational psychologists remained a challenge given that there was a limited pool for this specialist workforce that all local authorities were drawing from. Work was being undertaken with HR to consider how to attract individuals to these roles at GCC, including consideration of welcome payments and developing an apprenticeship style model for individuals to train at the Council. It was acknowledged that this single point of weakness had considerable implications for the EHCP process.

9.4          A member asked whether the increase in school suspensions and exclusions was a local issue or part of a national trend. In response, Kirsten Harrison explained that it was a national issue which was playing out locally, with numerous factors contributing to the increase, including limited funding in schools and growing challenges relating to the emotional regulation and mental health of pupils. However, there were certain factors operating within the local education system that were also having an impact, such as the overlay of grammar schools on a comprehensive school system in the County. The importance of early intervention was highlighted, and it was understood that the Council was working on its outreach offer from The Altus alternative provision school, as part of the Change Partnership Programme with the Department for Education (DfE).

9.5          A member queried whether intervention needed to start from as young as 5 years old. Kirsten Harrison emphasised that intervention needed to start from birth as part of early years provision. Early Years SEND Assessment Centres had a role in identifying needs as early as possible. It was also emphasised that a child did not need a diagnosis for needs to be identified and addressed at the earliest possible opportunity.

9.6          The member continued to ask how many parents were aware of the help available during the early years. It was noted that the local offer had been redeveloped in collaboration with the Parent Carer Forum, however officers were aware that the information available in the Local Offer was not reaching everyone. Consideration was being given as to how to make the Local Offer more easily accessible and visible.  

9.7          The member asked whether schools were providing this information to parents. Kirsten Harrison emphasised that schools were doing everything they could to meet the needs of children despite challenging circumstances.

9.8          A member asked a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To review the committee work plan and suggest items for consideration at future meetings.

Officers to update on potential items for consideration for the upcoming year where scrutiny could add value, including any pre-decision scrutiny items.

When making suggestions, members should consider the reasons for and expected benefit of scrutiny’s involvement.

For reference, please find the link to the Cabinet forward plan below:

Forthcoming Decisions (gloucestershire.gov.uk)

10.1      The Committee agreed the need to schedule an additional Committee meeting, which was provisionally scheduled for 17 October 2024.

ACTION – Laura Powick

10.2      The Committee’s Work Plan would be updated as follows:

·       The update on the Autism Strategy to be deferred to the meeting in September 2024.

·       The Annual Safeguarding Report and exempt session for the private briefing on Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership local learning reviews, rapid reviews, and Local Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews to be moved to the additional meeting in October 2024.

·       The Annual Adoption Report to be added to the agenda for the October 2024 meeting.

·       The item on School Admissions to be included on the agenda for the November 2024 meeting.

To note the dates of future meetings:

12 September 2024

7 November 2024

16 January 2025

6 March 2025.

The Committee noted the dates of future meetings, including the additional meeting which had been provisionally scheduled for 17 October 2024.