What does governance mean?
Governance is like having a set of rules and working together as a team to make decisions that help everyone. In Children’s Services, there are Strategic Decision Making Boards overseeing all areas of work with children and young people. If something needs improving at a strategic level, it needs to be agreed by the relevant Board. The people who sit on these Boards work together to make sure that any suggested changes have included the voice of all groups affected.
Governance for youth voice in Devon
The Corporate Parenting Board looks at all decisions affecting children and young people who are in care or leaving care. It is divided into subgroups with particular areas of focus. The SUSU Council feed into this Board through the participation team.
There are two SEND Improvement Boards – the Programme Board (which monitors how we listen and identify issues); and the Strategic partnership Board (which looks at performance and impact). The NFC group work closely with this Board.
The Youth Justice team provide a very specific service that is governed by the Youth Justice Partnership Board (locally) and the Youth Justice Board (nationally). Listening to and working together with children and young people is a key area of good practice.
The Children’s Scrutiny Board oversees all other organisations that work with Children and young people including Early Help. The Devon Youth Council is currently developing its connections with this Board in order to have more impact.