Agenda item

Report by the Director of Children’s Services

14.1     Reg Hooke, Independent Chair of the East Sussex Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) introduced the annual report for 2015/16 by providing an overview of the key issues covered therein.   This included reference to Section 1 of the report which provides an overview of the most vulnerable groups in East Sussex.   Mr Hooke highlighted that this section includes data indicating positive trends relating to both reductions in the numbers of children on Protection Plans and in the numbers of Looked After Children.  

14.2     The Committee thanked the LSCB for the accessible nature of the report and the clear way in which key information was presented.   The Committee then discussed a range of issues and asked a number of questions, a summary of which is provided below:

·        Electively Home Educated Children.   The Committee noted the increase in the numbers of children being home educated.   Whilst the Committee recognised the right of parents to home educate and that this in itself is not a risk factor for abuse or neglect, some members noted that there is a risk these children can become invisible to local services.  In response, the Committee heard that the LSCB have scrutinized this subject area and that the Board were reassured by the effective approach being taken by the Local Authority to conduct appropriate risk assessments.  

·        Substance Misuse.  The Committee noted there has been a 10% increase in the number of young people presenting to treatment services.  This is in contrast to the 7% reduction in young people’s treatment presentations at the national level.    In response, the Committee were informed that the LSCB share the Committee’s concerns about this increase and that as a result, the Board will be considering this issue in more detail.  The Committee were also informed that the Children’s Services Department recognise the importance of reducing the rates of substance misuse amongst young people and that the Department will be working closely with colleagues in Public Health to improve outcomes.

·        Chelsea’s Choice.   The Committee asked whether the production would be rolled out more widely to schools across the county (Chelsea’s Choice is a 40 minute production performed to children aged 12 years and over by the AlterEgo Theatre Company and highlights issues relating to child sexual exploitation).   The Committee also asked whether members could view the production themselves.   In response Douglas Sinclair,  explained that the ‘Chelsea’s Choice’ is a production funded by Eastbourne Borough Council and that discussions are ongoing with other borough and district council’s to have the production shown at other schools in those areas.   As it is a production and not a video, the actors involved are able to take part in a question and answer session with the children viewing the production.  This helps the production have an effective impact on its audience.   Subject to the agreement of the institution acting as host, an undertaking was also given to notify members of the Committee when future performances of the production were taking place locally.  

14.3     RESOLVED to  –

1)     Note the report; and

2)     Where appropriate, that members are to be notified of when ‘Chelsea’s Choice’ was being performed at local schools so that Committee member attendance could be arranged.