Annual report was debated by Tynwald for over three hours
The latest Children's Champion report has been accepted by Tynwald, with several amendments.
Last month, Kerry Sharpe MLC published her latest findings which included calls for better provision of services for children with complex needs who are non-verbal, and therefore are 'some of the most vulnerable people in our society' because 'they can’t tell us what’s happening in their world'.
You can read more about the report here.
Within it, she made seven recommendations, with only one accepted unamended by the Council of Ministers.
You can hear more from Mrs Sharpe and read more about the CoMin response here.
TYNWALD DEBATE
The report was debated over three hours in Tynwald this month; with input from the majority of the court.
In the end, five different amendments were tabled by various members, some of which were supported.
Five of Mrs Sharpe's seven recommendations were passed, but four were amended.
AMENDMENTS
Recommendations one, two and three were passed as amended by the Chief Minister.
They now read:
Recommendation 1: "That Tynwald is of the opinion that the Department of Health and Social Care should continue to explore how an official channel can be established through which the voices of young carers can be heard by government and Tynwald on a regular basis through the delivery of the Carers Strategy approved by Tynwald in June 2024."
Recommendation 2: "That Tynwald is of the opinion that independent advocacy services that include support for children in care and care leavers is essential and that [the] Department of Health and Social Care should seek to establish a clear commissioning position that looks to introduce service provision by 1 April 2026."
Recommendation 3: "That Tynwald is of the opinion that [the] Department of Health and Social Care, Manx Care and St Christpher's should continue to drive forward improvements in respect of the Assessment Home to ensure it is 'good enough for one's own child' and report in this alongside the Ofsted Action Plan to the Health, Learning and Social Policy Board."
Recommendation four was a contentious one; and was passed as amended by both Clare Barber MHK and Diane Kelsey MLC.
It now states that: "Further to the Ofsted recommendations, government should identify how it can seek assurance that any independent accommodation into which the DHSC places children in care, care leavers and children and young people presenting as homeless is suitable, and that government should report back to Tynwald by October 2025."
Mr Cannan's amendments were seconded by Health Minister Claire Christian:
Recommendation six, which concerns the development of a government multi-agency complex needs nursery with specialist staff passed unamended.
FAILED
Meanwhile, recommendations five and seven failed to be accepted by Tynwald.
They concerned accommodation for young people with additional needs, but with no learning disability, who cannot live independently and who need a carer on site 24/7, and the call for an overall strategy for children with complex needs.
As put forward by Mrs Sharpe, they read:
Recommendation 5: "Tynwald is of the opinion that
(a) the Department of Health and Social Care should identify a solution for accommodation for young people with additional needs, but with no learning disability, who cannot live independently and who need a carer on site 24/7 and submit a report to Tynwald in time to be debated at the January 2026 sitting, to include a costed, dated plan and
(b) the Department should identify an interim solution for this cohort and submit a report to Tynwald by the July 2025 sitting, to include a costed, dated plan."
Recommendation 7: "That Tynwald is of the opinion that the Department of Health and Social Care should work together with Manx Care, local authorities, the third sector, private sector and the public to draw up an overall strategy for children with complex needs; that this strategy must include but not be limited to ensuring that:
- appropriate respite is available, including holiday respite
- public space changing places are available 24/7, in the north, south, east and west of the Island
- transport is available, on occasion, for the few families who have no other means of leaving the house
- fully accessible play equipment is available in the north, south, east and west of the Island
- a variety of areas of the Manx countryside are fully-accessible
- adequate numbers of larger disabled parking spaces are available Island-wide
- adequate peer-to-peer support is in place for parents
- independent advocacy is in place allowing parents to raise issues regarding services; and that the Minister for Health and Social Care should deliver the strategy to Tynwald by July 2026."
The failure to support the development of an overall strategy for children with complex needs was described as 'disappointing' by Manx Mencap.
EXTRA
An additional recommendation was added and approved by members during the course of the debate.
Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper wanted to see the re-establishment of the corporate parenting group.
His recommendation stated: "That Tynwald is of the opinion that the DHSC should re-establish the corporate parenting group and the Council of Ministers should explore drawing up a statutory Direction to all Boards, Departments and Offices regarding Enhancing Corporate Parenting Responsibilities for Children in Care as part of its ongoing response to the Ofsted recommendations."
Mr Hooper's amendment was seconded by Bishop Tricia Hillas.
In his speech, Mr Hooper told members he would be happy to support an amendment that committed government to establish an independent advocacy service, but wasn't convinced it would actually happen:
MOVING FORWARD
In her concluding remarks, Mrs Sharpe implored the court to 'keep talking' about the issues facing children on the Isle of Man, and 'keep moving things forward':
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