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Review Panel – Care of Children in Jersey
Record of Meeting
Date: 14th March 2018
Present | Deputy S.Y. Mézec , Chairman Deputy T.A. Vallois, Vice-Chairman Deputy M.R. Higgins |
Apologies | Senator S.C. Ferguson |
Absent |
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In attendance | Mr A. Harris , Scrutiny Officer |
Ref Back | Agenda matter | Action |
| 1. Records of Meetings The Panel noted and approved the records of the meetings held on 7th and 8th February 2018. The Chairman signed them accordingly. |
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| 2. Conflict of Interest The Chairman noted that as a member of the Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC) he had received information relating to the work being undertaken in respect of Recommendation Six: Corporate Parent. |
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Item 4 07/02/18 | 3. Recommendation One: A Commissioner for Children The Panel recalled that the Children's Commissioner was currently undertaking a survey with young people to help inform her role. It was noted that 2,000 responses had been received so far. The Panel discussed the implementation of the legislation to underpin the role of the Children's Commissioner, and agreed that it would recommend this for further consideration in its legacy report. | AH |
Item 5 07/02/18 | 4. Recommendation Two: Giving Children and Young People a Voice The Panel noted that a meeting with the young people who had interviewed candidates for the role of Children's Commissioner had yet to be arranged due to time constraints on both parties. The Panel agreed that it would approach the Children's Commissioner directly to organise a meeting with the young person's advisory panel that she had appointed. It was also agreed that this meeting would be to discuss the views of young people in relation to the implementation of the recommendations from the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry (IJCI). The Panel agreed that it would recommend to the States Greffe that it should bring back scrutiny sessions within the schools. The Officer advised that this would be raised with the Head of Scrutiny. | AH AH |
Item 6 07/02/18 | 5. Recommendation Three: Inspection of Services The Panel noted the approved Terms of References and a proposed timeline from OFSTED for the independent inspection of Children's Services. The Panel agreed that it would contact the Independent Visitors | AH |
| for Young People (IVYP) to find out if they had been involved discussions relating to the inspection process. The Panel noted that the Chief Executive of the States of Jersey had assumed direct responsibility for the Children's Services and agreed this would be followed up at the next hearing with the Chief Minister. | AH |
Item 7 07/02/18 | 6. Recommendation Four: Building a Sustainable Workforce The Panel noted that the workforce modernisation (WFM) offer had been withdrawn by the States Employment Board (SEB) after recently being rejected by the union ballot. The Panel agreed that uncertainty over workforce issues was not going to help in the recruitment and retention of staff. The Panel agreed that it would question the Chief Minister on whether this would have an impact on the IJCI recommendations being implemented, specifically in relation to recommendation four. | AH |
Item 9 07/02/18 | 7. Recommendation Six: Corporate Parent The Chairman explained that PPC was due to bring forward a proposition to the States asking it to agree a code of conduct for elected members, which would include a duty to assist children and vulnerable people in society. It was expected that this would then be included in the Oath taken by States Members. The Panel agreed that it would request a copy of the draft proposition from PPC. | AH |
Item 10 07/02/18 | 8. Recommendation Seven: The Jersey Way The Panel noted R.1/2018 Jersey Law Commission Topic Report improving administrative redress in Jersey': An initial response', which had been presented by the Chief Minister. The Panel agreed that it would write to the Chief Executive of the States of Jersey in order to question if the response was compatible with the vision he had set out for one government'. It was noted that Senator P.F.C. Ozouf had lodged P.32/2018 Public Services Ombudsman: Establishment of Office' which was intended to bring forward one of the recommendations made in the Law Commission's report. The Panel agreed that it would write to the Chief Minister to identify his position on the proposition, after which it would consider its own position further. | AH AH |
Item 11 07/02/18 | 9. Recommendation Eight: Legacy Issues The Panel noted that the consultation on the future of the Haut de la Garenne site was ongoing and would conclude on 22nd April 2018. The Panel agreed to question the Chief Minister about the consultation process at its next scheduled public hearing. | AH |
Item 1 08/02/18 | 10. Public hearing with the Chief Minister The Panel noted that its next scheduled public hearing with the Chief Minister was due to take place at 10:00am on Thursday 29th March. |
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| The Panel agreed question areas for the hearing and the Officer confirmed that a draft question plan would be circulated for approval. | AH |
| 11. Learning exchange visit to Edinburgh The Panel noted that the Chairman was due to attend a learning exchange visit to Edinburgh as part of a delegation led by the Chief Minister. This was due to take place on Friday 23rd March with the intention to meet the Children's Minister of Scotland. The Chairman explained he would report back to the Panel on the visit at the next meeting. | AH |
| 12. Future Meetings The Panel noted that its next scheduled meeting was due to take place at 9:30am on Wednesday 28th March in the Le Capelain Room, States Building. |
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