D Bramma, Area Convener, presided.

E Anderson and C Campbell.

There were no declarations of interest intimated by members prior to the meeting.

There was submitted the Minute of the previous meeting of Renfrewshire Area Support Team (AST) held on 2021.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

Panel member Recruitment

The Area Convener advised that a further trainee had withdrawn from training, leaving 19 trainees remaining.

DECIDED: That the information be noted.

The Depute Area Convener updated the AST with regard to the meeting of the Practice and Recruitment Sub-group held on 24 May 2021.

He indicated that the last sub-group meeting had discussed issues in relation to observations. He intimated that there were three objectives namely PPA’s returning  to hearings; introduction of the two new PPAs; and testing the electronic observation form. It was anticipated that these observations would be a training exercise during June with no feedback to Panel Members as the intention was to benefit the PPAs in the first instance, with full observations returning in September.

He advised that there had been issues with the digital form, chrome books and vscene.

A programme of five training days had originally been put in place however this had been reduced to four days. The new PPAs would be partnered by an experienced PPA as a buddy.

Discussion also took place in relation to observations being arrange for trainee Panel Members and it was agreed that these should take place during August.

DECIDED: 

(a) That observations be arranged for trainee Panel Members during August; and

(b) That the update be noted.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Hearings Management Sub-group held on 10 June 2021.

The Minute provided updated information in relation to sabbaticals; resignations; hearing statistics for the period 5 May to 10 June 2021 including deferred and cancelled cases, secure hearings, additional hearings; swaps and continuity hearings; pastoral care; panel member strength which indicated that there were currently 73 panel members 51 female and 22 male panel members; emergency legislation; and discussions with SCRA on the issue of invitations, when there has been a change to the rota. The main issue raised by panel members related to not receiving the V-Scene invitations.

The Lead Panel Representative referred to concerns that Panel Members had raised in relation to refreshments between Hearings, given the length of time Hearings were taking. the Area Convener indicated that he had raised this issue with Children’s Hearings Scotland at the National Recovery and Renewal Group under Panel Member general wellbeing issues. He advised that Panel Member wellbeing was a high priority on the current CHS agenda and a national strategy was being pursued. 

Discussion then took place on mandatory training and it was reiterated that this training should be completed by the end of June 2021, with Panel Members being made aware of the sanctions should this not be completed by that time. 

The Lead Panel representative was then heard in answer to questions on various issues highlighted in the Minute.

DECIDED: That the Minute be otherwise approved.

The Locality Reporter Manager provide an update on the return of staff to Glen Lane indicating that staff were now present, albeit on a limited basis, five days per week. Full time Reporters were in the office two days per week and the service remained limited. 

The Reporter also provided updates on staffing; face to face Hearings; Paisley Sheriff Court, which was conducting most of its business by telephone conference or written submissions; training; and changes to information in relation to siblings and contact.

The Locality Reporter Manager was then heard in answer to questions from members on the report.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by Children’s Hearings Scotland relative to the Renfrewshire Area Plan  April 2021-March 2022.

The Plan set out the main actions for the Renfrewshire Area for the period April 2021 to March 2022. The Plan had been developed by the AST and the wider volunteer community to allow it to set short and medium term priorities in a time of rapid and unpredictable change. The Plan would be reviewed regularly and revised to take account of developments in the wider environment.

The report advised that the Plan would be revised and updated to include the Improvement Aims as part of the CHA Promise Programme currently being developed by CHS to reflect the major improvement-focussed priorities within each of the CHS Corporate Plan Strategic Themes.

The Plan provided details of the four CHS Corporate Plan Strategic Themes 2020-2023; information relative to  Devolved Funding; and the eight main focus areas of work to reflect current priorities. 

The Area Support and Improvement Partner provided AST members with more detail in relation to the Plan and was heard in answer to questions thereon.

In terms of progress and review milestones within the Plan, the Area Convener referred to quarter 4 and the requirement to recruit a care-experienced young person onto the Area Support Team, and how this would be achieved

A Currie suggested that this action be moved to quarter 3 to allow sufficient time for training prior to the next Panel Member recruitment exercise which was anticipated to take place in January 2022. The Area Convener indicated that this issue would be discussed at the forthcoming Area Conveners’ meeting, however if recruitment was scheduled for January 2022, it would be advantageous to move this action into quarter 3.

Discussion followed on the best method of identifying a pool of candidates from which to select a care-experienced young person and the possibility of recruiting through the Young Persons Champions Board.

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

DECIDED: Members noted that the next meeting of the AST was scheduled for Tuesday 17 August 2021 at 2.00 pm