Agenda item

Dr. Stacy John-Legere, Designated Dr for Looked After Children (LAC), Southwark and Michele Sault, Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children, Looked After Children & Care Leavers presented their annual report to the committee.

A copy of the slide presentation was included as Appendix 2 to the report.

The committee thanked Dr Stacy John-Legere and Michele Sault for their hard work in difficult circumstances of the pandemic.

The following issues were discussed:

·  What the committee could further do to assist?

·  Challenges relating to the secure estate and consequent restriction on contact. Dr Stacy John-Legere explained that within the secure estate health professionals would respond to the health issues arising and keep herself and Michele Sault (designated nurse) informed

·  The use of video calls to assist contact. It was not always possible to facilitate video calls on secure estates. It was agreed that the chair or the leader should write to those places that were unable to facilitate or offer video links to ensure they were in place for all children and young people in care on secure estates

·  In response to a question about the number of children or young people who had been ill with Covid-19, Dr Stacy John-Legere was able to explain that no children or young people had been seriously unwell and all cases had been managed on an individual basis

·  Query in respect of knowledge of mental health issues prior to entering care. It was advised that previous mental and physical needs would be known and considered.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the report be noted.

2.  That updates provided via Southwark Borough Based Board (quarterly) and set out in the committee report be noted. 

3.  That the chair or the leader write to those places on the secure estate currently unable to facilitate or offer video links for children or young people (to assist contact) so that this option is available to all children and young people in care.