The Committee received and noted a copy of the 2016-19 Children and Families Plan that set out how the Partnership will support children and families in Tower Hamlets over the next three years. It was also noted that the Plan has been developed in close consultation with staff and stakeholders, as well as with children and families themselves. The main points of the discussion may be summarised as follows:

The Committee:

·         Noted that the consultation on the priorities within the 2016-19 Children and Families Plan had been carried out with a wide range of children, families, staff and stakeholders.  This had included meetings with the Parent and Carer Council, with a Parent Forum at a Children’s Centre, and with pupils at the Pupil Referral Unit and at a local primary school.  A range of communication was initiated with staff (across the Council) and stakeholders, including the Local Safeguarding Children Board;

·         Was informed that almost 100 children, young people and adults had expressed their views on the issues affecting children and families in Tower Hamlets, as did a large number of staff from a wide range of organisations.  This feedback had driven and shaped both the needs assessment and the final 2016-19 Children and Families Plan.  Some of the key messages had included (i) the importance of professionals treating each child or young person as an individual; (ii) active play and socialising is beneficial to children and families and should be protected and promoted; (iii) housing was highlighted by many as a problem facing a number of families, and one that can affect all other areas of life; (iv) parents can need support in their parenting role, and should be encouraged to engage in activities that are relevant to their children’s lives; and (v) mental and emotional wellbeing needs to be considered in all services; 

·         Noted the Plan identifies three cross-cutting priorities which will underpin the work planned for the next three years (i) help at an early stage; (ii) holistic support that is easy to access and (iii) protecting and promoting the rights of the child;

·         Noted The Lead Cabinet Member for Children Services and the Director for Children, Services hold the overall strategic responsibility. The overall operational responsibility is held by Children’s Social Care, with social workers and carers directly delivering corporate parenting on a day to day basis;

·         All elected members of the council have a role as corporate parents towards children in care which encompasses the following responsibilities to (i) ensure that the council is meeting government objectives and abiding by statutory guidance in relation to looked after children and care leavers; (ii) ensure that the council is meeting the targets it has set itself in relation to children looked after and care leavers; and (iii) have an overview of operational work plans related to children looked after and care leavers; and(iv) contribute to and facilitate scrutiny of target areas in relation to children looked after and care leavers.