Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health Integration presented a report on the likely implications for the Council of the Children and Social Work Act 2017.

The Cabinet Member explained that although the Act received Royal Assent on 27 April 2017, there was limited information on the details and timescales for the introduction of its various elements.  Despite the lack of clarity, the Council was developing plans in response to the known requirements of the seven key areas of:

·  Corporate parenting and Looked After Children;

·  Adoption;

·  Safeguarding Children;

·  Abolition of Local Safeguarding Children Boards;

·  Child Death Reviews;

·  New Regulatory Regime for the Social Work Profession; and

·  Personal, Social and Health Education (PHSE).

The Cabinet Member outlined some of the key issues, which included the extension of the offer of local authority support to care leavers up to the age of 25, a duty to have regard to the ongoing relationship with adopters, the use of secure accommodation for placements and the compulsory inclusion in the school curriculum of relationships education for all primary school pupils in England, as well as sex and relationships education for secondary school children. 

In response to issues raised, the Cabinet Member confirmed that:

a)  There would be cost implications for the Council of supporting care leavers up to 25 years of age and further information would be provided to the Cabinet when the detail of the Government’s plans was known;

b)  The Council would ensure that appropriate consultation took place regarding the PHSE school curriculum requirements to ensure that parents were aware of its value, particularly in today’s society, and could contribute to discussions on the issues to be covered in lessons;

c)  Parents retained the right to withdraw their child from PHSE lessons in certain circumstances.

The Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Note the report and the potential implications for the Council of the Children and Social Work Act 2017; and

(ii)  Request the Corporate Parenting Panel to consider the extended Corporate Parenting duty and develop proposals on how the Council should meet the new requirements.