Documents
Agenda
Standard Items
Membership
Derek Bramma; Craig Campbell; Jacqueline Doherty; Edi Hanley; Jennifer Hay; Alex MacDonald; Ciara McLean; Ruth MacLeod; Ewan McNaught; Jim Melrose; Cairistiona Manson; Marion Robinson; Anne Tucker.
Representing Renfrewshire Council: Councillor Lisa Marie Hughes.
Convener
D Bramma, Area Convener
Items Of Business
Apologies
Apologies from members.
Councillor Hughes, M Robinson and P Wilson.
Declarations of Interest
Members are asked to declare an interest in any item(s) on the agenda and to provide a brief explanation of the nature of the interest.
There were no declarations of interest intimated by members prior to the meeting.
Minute of previous meeting held on 24 January 2023
1
There was submitted the Minute of the previous meeting of Renfrewshire Area Support Team (AST) held on 2022.
DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.
2
Matters Arising
2
(i) Item 4 – Hearings Management Sub-group
The Area Convener indicated that an item on safety at Hearings would be published in the next edition of the AST Newsletter.
(ii) Item 7 – Area Support Improvement Partner – Update
The Depute Area Convener sought confirmation on whether an agreement had been reached on the understanding of trauma-informed training. He indicated that information would be available in April, and it was anticipated by Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) that 80% of Panel Members would have completed training by June 2023. Full discussion followed on trauma-informed training where concern was raised over the timescale for implementation, information available from CHS and lack of guidelines and local support.
The Area Convener indicated that completion of trauma-informed training would not be a pre-requisite in terms of Panel Member reappointments
DECIDED: That the information be noted.
Minute of meeting held on 7 March 2023
3
There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Hearings Management Sub- group held on 7 March 2023.
The Minute provided information in relation to sabbaticals, resignations; hearing statistics for the period 16 January to 10 March 2023 including information on swaps, standby arrangements, continuity, cross-area assistance, and additional hearings; pastoral care; panel strength; rotas; and a request for Buddy System feedback.
DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.
Minute of meeting held on 7 March 2023
4
There was submitted the Minute of the Recruitment and Retention Sub-group meeting held on 7 March 2023.
The Minute provided an update on observations; confirmation of a PPA presentation at National groups; panel member reappointments; complaints; and PPA recruitment.
In terms of PPA reappointment, the Area Convener indicated that there had been three expressions of interest, but no applications had meantime been submitted.
DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.
Minute of meeting held on 2 February 2023
5
There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Learning and Development Sub- group held on 2 February 2023.
The Minute provided updates on local training; Trauma-Informed Practice (TIP); PPA recruitment; and Promise Keepers.
DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.
Verbal report by Area Support Improvement Partner
6
The Area Convener provided a verbal update on behalf of the Area Support and Improvement Partner indicating that Panel Member appointments would be confirmed by the National Convener on 3 April, and reappointments would be confirmed by 18 May 2023.
The AST was advised that the Panel Practice Advisor (PPA) recruitment campaign had closed on 15 March, and 25 applications had been submitted across 11 Area Support Teams.
DECIDED: That the information be noted.
Verbal report by Area Convener
7
The Area Convener provided a verbal report relative to Hearing scheduling and deferrals. Concern had been expressed that Hearings were being scheduled by the Reporter’s offices when it was known that the Hearing would not go ahead.
The Committee as advised that the Locality Reporter Manager had clarified the position, indicating that should all parties be in agreement, then a Hearing should be postponed, the only issue being confirmation of a realistic timescale for deferral, given the stress for the families involved.
DECIDED: That the information be noted.
Verbal update by Locality Reporter Manager
8
The Locality Reporter Manager provided a verbal update report the recent audit on the role of the Reporter in Hearings and gave a summary of the findings of the Audit.
The Locality Reporter Manager indicated that requests had been received to allow social work students to attend Hearings as observers, and that she would liaise with the PPA rota manager to ensure that the minimum number of observers attended any Hearing.
The Locality Reporter Manger provided an update on operational matters, staffing and feedback on Hearings.
DECIDED: That the report be noted.
Joint report by Scottish Children's Reporter Administration and Children's Hearings Scotland
9
There was submitted a report by Children’s Hearings Scotland relative to observers at Children’s Hearings.
The report provided information on the relevant section of the legislation, the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 and detailed which individuals and organisations representatives were entitled to attend and observe a Children’s Hearing.
Information was also provided on observers without a right to attend; and practical arrangements before, at and after a Hearing.
DECIDED: That the report be noted.
Verbal report by Area Convener
10
The Area Convener provided a verbal update on the proposed CHS Tribunal Support Model; indicating that CHS had submitted the proposal to the Scottish Government in September 2022 and a budget for the project had been agreed.
The AST was advised that the proposal would be considered by the CHS Board at the end of March 2023
DECIDED: That the report be noted.
Verbal report by Area Convener
11
The Area Convener provided a verbal report in relation to the 2023 Panel Member Recognition event, indicating that it would take place on 9 June 2023. He indicated that the CHS National Convener would be in attendance.
DECIDED: That the report be noted.
Members are asked to note that the next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for Tuesday 9 May 2023 at 2.00pm
13
DECIDED: That it be noted that the next meeting of the Area Support Team was scheduled for Tuesday 9 May 2023 at 2.00pm in Renfrewshire House.
Attendance
Declarations of Interests
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No declarations of interest have been entered for this meeting.
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