Chairmen's Committee - Approved Care of Children in Jersey Review Panel Minutes - 26 January 2018

Present

Deputy S.Y. Mézec , Chairman Deputy T.A. Vallois, Vice-Chairman

Apologies

Senator S.C. Ferguson

Absent

Deputy M.R. Higgins

In attendance

Ms L. Clark, Chairperson, Independent Visitors for Young People

Ms J. Lydford, Deputy Chairperson, Independent Visitors for Young People Mr P. Pinel, Independent Visitor for Young People

Mr A. Harris , Scrutiny Officer

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

511/2/3/1

1.  Meeting  with  representatives  of  the  Independent  Visitors  for Young People

The  Review  Panel  received  Ms  L.  Clark,  Chairperson,  Independent Visitors  for  Young  People,  Ms  J.  Lydford,   Deputy  Chairperson, Independent Visitors for Young People and Mr P. Pinel, Independent Visitor for Young People, to discuss the submission that had been made on behalf of the Independent Visitors for Young People (IVYP).

The representatives explained that the IVYP were a group of volunteers who conducted visits to children's homes in order to establish if there were any concerns from the resident young people. The group would then report any concerns back to the Children's Policy Group, however it was noted that this group was now the Children and Vulnerable Adults Group (CAVA). It was noted that in order to carry out this role, the IVYP were independent of the States of Jersey and as such were able to build significant relationships with the young people resident in the homes.

Under Recommendation Three of the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry (IJCI) report it was recommended that the current IVYP arrangement be terminated as it lacked the power of a formal inspection process and would produce unnecessary duplication alongside that process. It was then explained that the IJCI report went on to recommend that the States of Jersey utilised the experience of the IVYP within inspection teams. Furthermore, under Recommendation three in P.108/2017 Independent Jersey  Care  Inquiry  report:  implementation  of  recommendations',  a headline action was to bring forward a plan to phase out the IVYP.

It was explained that the IVYP had been informed through the Jersey Evening Post (JEP) that their role was due to be phased out, and no communication had been had in advance of this by any department. It was noted that a meeting was held with the Chief Minister on Monday 15th January, where assurances were sought in relation to the interim and future arrangements of the IVYP. The Chief Minister had apologised for the oversight in this matter and offered to provide clarification as soon as possible. It was explained that clarification had yet to be received by

the IVYP. Since the announcement in the JEP it was explained that a significant number of volunteers had left their role in the IVYP and only 5 volunteers remained. The Review Panel agreed that it would send a letter to the Chief Minister requesting that interim and future of the IVYP be clarified immediately.

The representatives explained their disappointment that the IVYP had not been approached to provide a submission to the Review Panel. It was noted that one of the members had happened upon a letter that had been sent to another organisation and agreed to produce a submission on behalf of the IVYP. The Review Panel thanked the representatives for making the submission and offered its apologies for not making contact in the first instance.

The Review Panel noted that no invitations had been extended by the IVYP to meet with the Care Commissioner or the recently appointed Children's Commissioner. It was hoped that the experience of the IVYP would be utilised when developing any future actions in relation to the inspection process and listening to the voice of young people in care.

AH

511/2/3

2.  Comments  on  P.108/2017  Independent  Jersey  Care  Inquiry report: implementation of recommendations'

The Review Panel approved its comments on P.108/2017 Independent Jersey Care Inquiry report: implementation of recommendations'.