Agenda item

The Chair invited comments from members on issues of interest to the Board not covered under the other items.

Members’ comments and questions:

·         The Round Table with Dame Sara Khan was extremely useful in terms of councillors’ personal safety and the online abuse they experience.

·         A request was made for a report to come to the Board on the issues around UASC and, in particular, the role of the Home Office. Members considered in particular that there was a need for Government to engage with local authorities sooner regarding placements. The Chair queried whether other LGA Boards were looking at this issue and, if so, requested a joined up approach, with some key asks being drawn up . Mark advised members that a Task group which reports to the Community Wellbeing Board, had been set up which had been lobbying around the points mentioned. He agreed to raise the points discussed by Members with the Chair of the Task group. Officers were in the process of gathering examples of how the Home Office was dispersing UASC into hotels without consulting local authorities, with potential links to children’s safeguarding matters and modern slavery.

Decision

SSCB noted the update.

Actions

·         Share what came out of the Round Table if possible.

·         Mark to pick up separately with Chair to explain the role of the Task force under the CWB and how SSC can play their part.

·         Mark to examine cross over with other Boards.