Letter to Children's Commissioner re Government Plan Scrutiny - 11 September 2019

States Greffe: Scrutiny  

Ms Deborah McMillan

The Children's Commissioner

By email: commissioner@childcomjersey.org.je

10th September 2019 Dear Deborah,

The Government Plan

The Government Plan Review Panel is overseeing the Scrutiny review of the Government Plan (the Plan). We have agreed Terms of Reference for this review, which are as follows: -

To coordinate detailed scrutiny of the 2019 Government Plan. This will include responsibility for:

1. Coordinating scrutiny of all parts of the Government Plan (projects, sections, etc.) by the standing Panels, based on a best fit' approach.
2. Consolidation of standing Panels' reports into a single report.
3. Consolidation of standing Panels' amendments into a single set of amendments.
4. Tracking of Government Plan items and scrutiny progress to ensure timely delivery of 2 and 3 above.
5. Ensuring consistency of approach across standing Panels.
6. Ensuring that the report and amendments are consistent with the requirements of the Public Finances (Jersey) Law 201-

The various standing Panels are subsequently undertaking scrutiny of certain actions contained within the Plan itself as well as a number of projects requiring additional expenditure as set out within R.91/2019, as allocated by this Panel.

This Review Panel has identified the need for your expertise in providing analysis of the adequacy and inclusivity of the Plan in relation to the voice of children and young people. This analysis may include a broad overview of the Plan, as well as comments on specific Actions or Programmes contained within the Plan and the R.91 document.

The Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel has also identified certain specific actions which it hopes you are able to assist it with. These are as follows (reference has been made to the page numbers within the respective documents they are contained in):

"Children in Need" – p.7 of R.91 + p.34 of the Government Plan "Care Leavers" - p.8 of R.91 and P.35 of the Government Plan

"Youth Justice" - p.8 of R.91/2019 and p.35 of Government Plan

"Regulation and Inspection" p 9 of R/2019 and p.35 of the Government Plan "Safeguarding Partnership Board" – p.9 of R.91/2019 and p.38 of the Government Plan "Baby Steps" - p.11 of R.91/2019]

"Children's Voice: Develop a looked after children's advocacy worker" p.17 of R.91/2019 and p.37 of the Government Plan

"Children's  Voice:  Develop  a  new  Children's  Rights  Service  plus  MOMO  app"  p.18  of R.91/2019 and p.37 of the Government Plan

The Government Plan Review Panel and the Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel would be interested in your views on the items identified above and, as such, we invite you to write to make a joint written submission.

The Government Plan Review Panel would also like to invite you as a witness to a public hearing to be held in early October to explore any themes you identify in greater detail. Any dates that you can provide for your availability would be greatly appreciated.

Contact:

We would be grateful to receive your views by Tuesday 24th September. The Panel has limited time in which to conduct its review, so if this timescale is likely to cause you difficulties I would ask you to advise us to that effect. You can get in touch in the following ways:

Letter: FAO – Gary Eisner, Scrutiny Office, Morier House, St. Helier . JE1 1DD Email: g.eisner@gov.je

Please note that all written and oral submissions will be uploaded to the States Assembly website as a matter of course with the exception of any evidence received under a confidential or private agreement, which, in accordance with data protection legislation, will not be released into the public domain.

We  would  value  your  participation  in  this  review  and  look  forward  to  receiving  your contribution.

Yours Sincerely,

Senator Kristina Moore

Chair, Government Plan Review Panel