D Bramma, Area Convener, presided.

Councillor Hughes, R MacLeod and M Robinson.

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 25 October 2022.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

DECIDED: It was noted that there were no matters arising

The Locality Reporter Manager provided a verbal update report on local Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA) operational arrangements, in particular with regard to staffing arrangements where the temporary contracts for cover for Reporters vacancies had been extended; staffing arrangements for the Christmas/New Year period; heating issues within the Glen Lane Office; and issues with the delivery of papers as a result of industrial action by Royal Mail.

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

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting oir the Recruitment and Retention Sub-group held on 22 November 2022.

The Minute provided information in relation to an update on observations, rota and CSAS; interviews of panel member applicants; support for PPAs; theme 2 of the Area Plan; support for Panel Members; and Panel Member re-appointments in 2023.

The Depute Area Convener was then heard in answer to questions and comments from the Committee on the Minute.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Hearings Management Sub-group held on 6 December 2022. 

The Minute provided information in relation to sabbaticals, resignations; hearing statistics for the period 11 October to 5 December 2022; pastoral care; panel strength; rotas; technical issues; and trauma informed practice.

A full discussion took place with regard to issues around chair training, particularly with regard to a cohort within the current panel members who were unwilling to undertake Management of Hearings training at this time, and it was suggested that a presentation be undertaken at a future local training event on chairing. It was further suggested that PPAs, when undertaking observations, could be encouraged to identify Panel Members who had the skill set to be trained in Management of Hearings training. It was also indicated that pervious practice had been for the three hearings in a session to be chaired by different members to allow Panel Members to gain confidence and experience.

DECIDED:

a) That a presentation be undertaken at a future local training event on Management of Hearings training;

b) That when undertaking observations, PPAs be encouraged to identify Panel Members with suitable skill sets to be trained in MoH training; and

c) That the Minute be otherwise approved.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Learning and Development Sub-group held on 5 December 2022.

The Minute provided updates on pre-service training; Learning Academy training; local training and support; observations; in-service training; Kibble visits; population of the learning and development space on the Renfrewshire Teams Channel; Trauma informed Practice LDC training; MOH/Enhanced practice update; the requirement for additional group members; and training issues in relation to the 2023 re-appointment exercise.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.