Agenda item

Considered

A report by Alice Fox, Senior Scrutiny Officer, Legal and Democratic Services.

The Chair reminded the Committee of the motion to recognise Care Experience as a Protected Characteristic that was proposed at Full Council in May 2024, and it was agreed to ask the Corporate Parenting Group to lead on a consultation with care leavers to ask them if they favoured North Yorkshire Council recognising Care Experience as a Protected Characteristic.

Jonny Hoyle, Development Lead Child Permanence, gave a summary of the key findings of the consultation (Appendix 1 of the report). He commented that some local authorities who are already recognising the motion haven’t implemented any meaningful changes. The recommendation of a task and finish group would involve input from all directorates and help to gain a better understanding of the implications of considering Care Experience as a Protected Characteristic so that they are supported in everyday life.

The Committee agreed that it is a very thought-provoking report, and welcomed further engagement with care leavers if a task and finish group is established.  They had several questions:

What are the timescales for the task and finish group?

It is important to understand the complexities and implications of adopting the motion and we need to make sure that each directorate fully understands the process and commitment. It is anticipated that a lot of work would be completed by early 2025. Mel Hutchinson, Assistant Director, Children and Families reminded the Committee that Children’s Services’ current package of support to care leavers is a very strong offer.

If NYC adopt Care Experience as a Protected Characteristic, care leavers moving out of the county may not be protected if their new local authority hasn’t adopted it.

Mel Hutchinson, Assistant Director, Children and Families, agreed that this is a risk, but the number of local authorities adopting it is increasing. Furthermore, NYC would be supporting care leavers with their move to another area.

There are also benefits to the voluntary and private sector recognising Care Experience as a Protected Characteristic.

It was agreed that, with support, both the voluntary and private sector could implement a similar policy.

Councillor Wilkinson informed Members that the LGA Children’s Board announced on 3 October 2024 to look at this issue on a national level, and she will feed back to the Committee at a future meeting.

The Chair reminded the Committee of the recommendations made in the report. She welcomed a task and finish group and would want to hear their key findings before she could make any recommendation to Full Council.   Members of the Committee agreed and felt that this would give the motion a stronger chance of being supported by Full Council.

Daniel Harry, Head of Democratic Services clarified that motions made at Full Council are usually brought back at the next meeting, which is 13 November, but if the Committee felt that they required more time before they can make a recommendation, they could defer it until the Council meeting on 21 February 2025.

The Committee agreed that the task and finish group should include the Chair, Vice-Chair, Young People’s Champion, and the proposer of the motion. Mel confirmed that Children’s Services would put dates in diaries for the group to meet. It was agreed that virtual meetings over Teams would be more efficient.  To meet timescales, an additional Overview and Scrutiny meeting may be required to discuss the key findings that will inform the recommendation going to Full Council.

Councillor Andrew Timothy, proposer of the Motion, thanked the Committee and respected the recommendation of a task and finish group.  

Resolved

a)    That, a note is taken to Full Council on 13 November 2024 informing Members that the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee will make a recommendation on the motion at the Full Council Meeting on 21 February 2025.

b)    That, a task and finish group is established to help inform the recommendation.

c)     That, Children’s Services arrange cross-directorate task and finish group meetings (over Teams).

d)    Councillors invited to join the task and finish group will be Councillors Brodigan, Goodrick, Baker and Timothy.

e)    That, an additional meeting is arranged for the Committee to discuss the key findings of the task and finish group and the recommendation going to Full Council.