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UASC PRACTITIONERS NETWORK MEETING

Friday 12th September 2008

Children in Wales offices, Cardiff

Attendees:

Sian Thomas (Save the Children) CHAIR

Anne Hubbard (WSMP)

Kathryn Tucker (WSMP)

Adam Sinfield (UK BA)

Bryan Hartley, (Cardiff Social Services)

Bisera Hodzvick (Cardiff Social Services)

Mina McElwain (Cardiff Social Services)

Menna Thomas (Barnardos)

Gill Wharmby (Newport Council Duty Team)

June Vandamme (Save the Children)

Glyn Parry (SOVA)

Suely Espirian (GEMSS)

Jan Williams (EMAS)

Peter Moon (EMAS)

Katie Culclough (EMAS)

Sylvia Searle (Tros Gynnal)

Cath Hobbs(Tros Gynnal)

Alison Gilbert (Cardiff Council Asylum Team)

Ginger Weingand (DPIA)

Nasreen Dar (NHS)

Pandora Milligan (Newport Council Duty Team)

Helen O'Hara (WSMP) MINUTES

Apologies:

Glen Ashbrooke (Powys County Council)

Carol Mooney (Welsh Assembly Government)

Donna Davies (Welsh Assembly Government)

Kathryn Vickers (Children in Wales)

Cath Rees (Save the Children)

Rhian Croke (Save the Children)

Peter Merry (UKBA)

Heather Frazer (GAVO)

Maria Allen (WLGA)

Emily Warren (WLGA)

Sian Thomas (Gwynedd Council)

Emmy Chater (Newport Council)

Welcome and Introductions;

Sian Thomas welcomed the group and introductions were given by all.

New members:

In the absence of a representative from the Welsh Assembly Government AH for WSMP provided an update with assistance from ST of Save the Children:

5. UASC REFORM

UASC Reform is going ahead and all 22 local authorities have been contacted by WLGA to invite them to become “specialist authorities”. There has been little response by local authorities and it appears those authorities in South Wales are most likely to become “specialist authorities”. `Specialist authorities' will be those where UASC's will be concentrated. Welsh Assembly are liaising with the Home Office as to the settlement for Wales and post-18 funding issues. There will be little movement until such clarification is received. There is a provisional date for a workshop: 20th October 2008. BH for Cardiff: if Local Authorities are doing a combined bid, it is unlikely to be in the next financial year. The reforms propose removing the assessment from the provider thereby removing one conflict of interest. This seems quite a positive element of the reform.

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