To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Excell.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of this meeting held on 23 January 2017.

The minutes of the Policy Development and Decision Group held on 23 January 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive an update on two areas of social care activity – private fostering and adoption.

The Director of Children’s Services presented the submitted report which updated members on two areas of social care activity – private fostering and adoption.  The Director of Children’s Services explained circumstances where private fostering takes place within Torbay and that work to improve the Council’s monitoring and oversight arrangements for private fostering would continue as part of the improvement work now underway to address the outcome of the Ofsted inspection. 

The Director then went on to outline the annual report for adoption activity from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.  It was noted that there wasn’t any Councillor representation on the Adoption Panel.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) made the following recommendation to the Mayor: 

(i)            that a Councillor be appointed to sit on the Adoption Panel;

(ii)          that the report be noted;

(iii)         that the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) receive updates on private fostering and adoption activity.

The Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.

To consider a report on the above.

The Group considered the submitted report which set out a vision for how local services would develop in order to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable young people.  The Head of Education and Learning advised members of the assessment process and professionals who evaluate the need for an Education, Health and Care Plans.  The Head of Education and Learning went on to explain the support available if an applicant did not meet the threshold for the Care Plan, but required an element of additional support.

The Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) made the following recommendation to the Mayor: 

That the SEND Strategy 2016/20 attached at Appendix 1 be approved and that the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member and key stakeholders, be authorised to make any final changes to the Strategy and provide regular updates on progress.

The Mayor considered the recommendation of the Policy Development and Decision Group (Joint Commissioning Team) set out above at the meeting and the record of decision, together with further information is attached to these Minutes.