7:01pm Monday 7th December 2009
MOJO will be performing live at the Fox and Hounds on Thursday, December 31 from 6pm until late.
The last night that Mojo were in Cattistock, the roof came off the pub! There will be great music and lots of dancing. There will also be a buffet available, for which donations to St George’s Hospital are requested.
Mr Newman (Chair) introduced the Personnel representing the various Agencies. He asked that all questions be directed through the Chair.
Mr Derrien (Assistant Resource Manager, West End House, Cattistock) reported to the Meeting that West End House has been in existence as a Children’s Home for approximately five and a half years.
Over 35 children had in this time lived at the house. He stated that it was unfortunate that in the last 6 weeks they had a difficult mix of children. After the report of a burglary in the village, two of the children had been immediately removed from the home and the two who remained were settled.
The children that come to the home are children that cannot live with their parents, immediate family or foster parents. West End House is more suitable to meet their needs at that time. It was asked if these children had criminal background. The response was that in an emergency situation in the middle of the night, children were taken from a violent background/parents arrested and placed at West End House. Assessment of the children would then take place. There are 300 children in care in Dorset, and decisions regarding their wellbeing are being made all the time.
How often do they go missing was asked. If the children are not back at the correct time, they are reported as missing after 1 hour. Staff will look for them locally but the incident is reported to the Police.
It was stressed very strongly that West End House is not a Remand Home, and the children cannot be locked in. It is not a secure unit and they have no power to detain the children.
No physical force is used on the children; they have been removed from physical harm. There is always experienced staff on duty.
It was stated that the children do not integrate within the village.
They do not join the local clubs and activities, but attend such outside of the village.
Mr Derrien stated that this was because when they rejoin their families, it will be easier for the child if these activities were already in place and familiar to them.
It was reported that the children only attend education in the mornings and are left to their own devices in the afternoon, when it would appear that the trouble occurs. There is no excuse for the children not being supervised in the afternoon. Mr Derrien stated that they are engaged in other activities within the house between 1 – 4pm. On the day the burglary occurred the children were not willing to take part in organised activities.
He stated that there was a rewards structure in place for the children when they do well. Asked by a Councillor if the opposite also applied, the answer was yes – pocket money and treats were withheld, as in a normal family environment.
It was asked whether there would be a review of the type of children that came to West End House.
Mr Jones (Service Manager, Resources, – DCC - Children’s and Families Services) replied that there could be no guarantee that any child would not have committed an offence.
If it was found that the child was not well placed, they would be removed. It is the aim to have the mix and balance of the children right.
Should any problems occur, swift action is taken, as has happened in the removal of the two boys earlier.
It was hoped that this would reassure the residents.
Josie Watson from Magna Housing Association reported that a letter had been sent out to residents at Meadow View, Cattistock regarding anti-social behaviour in the area.
She stated that she had only received one reply. Anyone that feels unable to report such activities fearing reprisal are assured that all information received is strictly confidential.
Inspector Fry from Dorset Police told the meeting that it is a privilege to live in Cattistock and the surrounding area, and that there was very little crime. West End House was an extremely well run Children’s Home, it was unfortunate that over the past few weeks the mix of children had caused problems. It was resolved that a Member of Staff from West End House would periodically attend parish council meetings. The telephone number of West End House would be published in The Chimes. It was agreed that all the Agencies would work together and residents were advised to call West End House, the Police or Magna Housing Association if they had any concerns.
Mr Newman thanked everyone for attending the Meeting and hoped that the residents of Cattistock felt reassured.
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