The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
Care of Children in Jersey Review Panel Written Submission
Paul M Pinel – Independent Visitor for Young People
I write briefly in response to your letter dated 28th November 2017 regarding the Care of Children in Jersey, in particular your review of the actions of the Council of Ministers as a result of the recommendations made by the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry.
As I am sure you are aware, one of the inquiries' recommendations was to terminate the Independent Visitors for Young People (IVYP) and replace them with an annual inspection. This is extremely disappointing and of grave concern to me. The IVYP are a group of extremely experienced, knowledgeable and like-minded independent volunteers that visit the young people and their carers on a monthly basis. We follow up any concerns and issues and report these (if necessary) via our Chair, to a representative from Children's Services. We have a deep-routed passion for the welfare of these youngsters and cannot understand how an annual inspection and the odd visit by appointed individuals can be any more effective than the fabulous work done by our independent members.
For your information, we submit an annual report to the Children and Vulnerable Adults (CAVA) Policy Group and our last report can be viewed at https://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Government%20and%20administration/R%20I ndependent%20Visitors%20For%20Young%20People%20IVYP%20Report%20210407%20 DS.pdf .
Whilst I appreciate and understand that your remit is to scrutinize the actions of the recommendations, I would like to ask for your urgent assistance in "persuading" the Ministers to reconsider our future. Retaining the IVYP has surely got to be in the best interests of our children.