The Governance Committee of Havering Council met on Wednesday 27 May 2026 to review guidance notes for complainants and a Stage Three Children's Complaint Review Panel report. The meeting was held virtually.

Guidance Notes for Complainants

The panel was scheduled to consider guidance notes for complainants, which outline the procedure for hearings related to children's complaints under the Children Act 1989. These notes detail the process for individuals making representations, including information about attending hearings, the role of representatives, and the structure of the hearing itself. The guidance explains that the panel's role is to review what has previously occurred and make recommendations to Children's Services. The panel can either dismiss a complaint wholly or in part, or uphold it and decide on the necessary actions to rectify the upheld elements. The process involves the panel asking questions in an inquisitorial manner, and both the complainant and the service representative will have the opportunity to make closing statements. Following the hearing, a written report detailing the panel's recommendations is compiled and sent to the local authority and the complainant within five working days. The local authority then has 15 working days to respond with its proposed actions.

Stage Three Children's Complaint Review Panel Report

A report concerning a Stage Three Children's Complaint Review Panel was also scheduled for discussion. This report, identified by reference number HAV659268, would have contained details of a specific complaint and the findings of the review panel. The panel's function is to consider complaints that have progressed to this stage, following the procedures outlined in the guidance notes. The report would have been based on written information and evidence presented to the panel. The panel's recommendations are then made to the local authority for their response and action.

The meeting also included standard procedural items such as the Chair's announcements and the receipt of apologies for absence. A discussion was scheduled regarding the potential exclusion of the public from certain parts of the meeting, based on the likelihood of exempt information being disclosed, as per Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The panel members present were Ms Nicola Manners, Mr Colm Nolan (Chair), and Ms Dawn Hutcheon. The contact for meeting information was Rebecca Salvatore.