Minutes: June 2004

Fostering

Helen welcomed Graham to our meeting. Graham began by introducing the Cabinet Report dated 19th May 2004 on Adoption Services and the Statement of Purpose. Until recent legislation, the LGBT community were prohibited from adopting children however same sex couples have always been considered for fostering.

Graham described the difference between Fostering (short or long term care) and Adoption (permanent home). Children from all walks of life, ages and difficulties come through the Department either voluntarily or via the courts. Parents are able to influence decisions made.

New born or young babies are rarely available for adoption. They are predominately of school age children and male. SBC does not have any care homes as a policy, therefore recruiting fosterers is always challenging for a small Department with a small budget. The Council networks with the South West Adoption Consortium and National Adoption Register.

All applicants are vetted via the Adoption Panel, which meets once a month. The adoption process can take up to 6 months.

Graham said the Social Services Department would welcome same sex couples to go through the application process for adoption, however the public's perception would possibly be more negative. Not all successful candidates are selected to adopt or foster, as the child needs are matched with the family, often taking into consideration the birth families wishes.

Julie gave some suggestions to Graham, regarding publicising through the LGBT community and noted that London Borough's have successfully matched LGBT couples for children to be adopted.

Paula gave a list of suggests: advertise in Pink Parents, Fyne Times and all the SBC coalitions. Graham's team could have an LGBT Adoption Liaison Worker and have closer contacts with Pride Youth and create Gay friendly training courses.

Minutes of the Last Meeting

Agreed - apart from noting an omission under 3.3 LGBT Website inviting Gender Trust … to write an article of two be requested, should have read:

    "… and that an article of two hundred words be requested from the Trust …"

Pride Youth

Paula informed the group that Pride Youth had failed a funding application. Two employees were made redundant with the group suspending its operation for a number of weeks.

Pride Youth recently held an Extraordinary General Meeting to dissolve the group in order to resurrect it as a Business Company Limited by Guarantee to gain Charitable status.

The very good news is SBC has seconded a Youth Worker to Pride Youth for 3 months, paid by the Council and starting this month. The management team is intact but there are still two places vacant on the Board of Directors.

However, to become a charity, organisations must have £1,000 in their bank account - this is to cover £700 insurance and £300 to advertise in the yellow pages. Paula asked if the LGBT coalition would be prepared to donate funding if they created a report to explain to the Council why Pride Youth is essential to young people in the community.

A debate followed and it was agreed that the group would give £250 to Pride Youth, and request Swindon Borough Council match fund that amount.

True Vision Police Initiative

Robin distributed to the group, small packs on the Self Reporting Scheme to crack down on Homophobia and a separate pack for Racism. These will be distributed amongst gay venues and public places such as large supermarkets. This is the result of a generous grant by the Government and a partnership of 23 police forces and liaison with the LGBT community. The group were impressed with the packs that encourage victims and witnesses to report crime, and congratulated the police for their initiative that spans across England and Wales.

Any Other Business

LGBT Website
Matthew contacted Lee and received a guarantee that he is still interested in updating the website.

LGBT Coalition
Helen requested that herself and Sue, Vice Chair, have an opportunity to meet Sally Thorpe's successor Dilys Huggins. Issues to be discussed will be to update her on the achievements of our group, discuss our budget and how it should be spent, Link Worker's, and the future. It was also suggested that Dilys be invited to September's meeting. Jane will email Dilys.

It was agreed the group will meet next month and then have August off to reconvene on September 1st.

Date of next meeting is: Wednesday 7th July at 7 pm in Committee Room 2