Agenda item

A)  Supporting Kinship Care in Slough

It was moved by Councillor Swindlehurst,

Seconded by Councillor Hulme

“This Council notes-

• Kinship Care (also known as family and friends care) is any circumstances where a child is being raised by a friend or family member other than their parent. 

This Council believes that- ·

• That Kinship Care should always be considered as an option,when there are concerns about whether a child can remain at home. 
• Central Government should ensure that Kinship households are adequately supported including financially and through properly resourced local authorities to deliver local support.

Slough Borough Council therefore resolves:

• To listen to the voices of Kinship Carers and the children that they are raising when developing new policies.
• To work with our local authority Children’s Company (SCF) to ensure there is information for current and prospective Kinship Carers about the options available to them and any support that they may be eligible for, including access to benefits advice, therapeutic support via the Adoption Support Fund and where they can access specialist independent legal advice.
• To work with children and families and SCF to draw on best practice in formulating future local policy and practices relating to Kinship Care, including support services and financial support, ensuring these are consistent with legislation, statutory guidance, recent case law and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman decisions.
• To ensure Kinship Carers are included in recognition and awareness activities, along with the children that they are raising.
• To write to the Secretary of State for Education to urge the government to implement the recommendations the Independent Review of Children's Social Care in England has made for investment in early help for families and unlocking the power of family networks.”

The motion was put to the vote and carried with 34 votes for and 2 abstentions.

Resolved  -

This Council notes-

• Kinship Care (also known as family and friends care) is any circumstances where a child is being raised by a friend or family member other than their parent. 

This Council believes that- ·

• That Kinship Care should always be considered as an option,when there are concerns about whether a child can remain at home. 
• Central Government should ensure that Kinship households are adequately supported including financially and through properly resourced local authorities to deliver local support.

Slough Borough Council therefore resolves:

• To listen to the voices of Kinship Carers and the children that they are raising when developing new policies.
• To work with our local authority Children’s Company (SCF) to ensure there is information for current and prospective Kinship Carers about the options available to them and any support that they may be eligible for, including access to benefits advice, therapeutic support via the Adoption Support Fund and where they can access specialist independent legal advice.
• To work with children and families and SCF to draw on best practice in formulating future local policy and practices relating to Kinship Care, including support services and financial support, ensuring these are consistent with legislation, statutory guidance, recent case law and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman decisions.
• To ensure Kinship Carers are included in recognition and awareness activities, along with the children that they are raising.
• To write to the Secretary of State for Education to urge the government to implement the recommendations the Independent Review of Children's Social Care in England has made for investment in early help for families and unlocking the power of family networks.

B)  Awareness Suicide Prevention Month 

It was moved by Councillor Akram,

Seconded by Councillor Kelly,

“This Council acknowledges the importance of Suicide Prevention Month and resolves to help to raise further awareness on suicide prevention.

We therefore resolve to:

• Encourage Council owned companies, contractors and partners to join the Council as members of the National Suicide Prevention Alliance; to improve awareness of mental health support, resilience networks and support offers to tackle the stigma associated with mental health issues and support suicide prevention across the borough for all ages ranges and communities;

• Write to the minister of State (Minister for Care and Mental Health) to ask that they review the national ambition of a 10% annual reduction in light of the current context for suicide prevention as set out by NCISH and others and aim for a "Zero Suicide" style approach focussed on the priority groups identified at national, Regional and local levels."

The motion was put to the vote and carried with 35 votes for and 2 abstentions.

Resolved – 

This Council acknowledges the importance of Suicide Prevention Month and resolves to help to raise further awareness on suicide prevention.

We therefore resolve to:

• Encourage Council owned companies, contractors and partners to join the Council as members of the National Suicide Prevention Alliance; to improve awareness of mental health support, resilience networks and support offers to tackle the stigma associated with mental health issues and support suicide prevention across the borough for all ages ranges and communities;

• Write to the minister of State (Minister for Care and Mental Health) to ask that they review the national ambition of a 10% annual reduction in light of the current context for suicide prevention as set out by NCISH and others and aim for a "Zero Suicide" style approach focussed on the priority groups identified at national, Regional and local levels.