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

Stage Three Children's Complaint Review Panel Report

The primary focus of the meeting was the Stage Three Children's Complaint Review Panel Report (HAV659268). This report, which was extensive, detailed a complaint that had progressed through the council's complaints procedure. The panel's role was to review the complaint and make recommendations to Children's Services.

The report pack included guidance notes for complainants, outlining the procedure for hearings. These notes explained that the Hearings Panel consists of three Independent Panel members, including Ms Nicola Manners, Mr Colm Nolan (Chair), and Ms Dawn Hutcheon. A representative, independent of Children's Services, was also present to assist the panel. The procedure described is inquisitorial, meaning the panel would ask questions to gather information.

The guidance notes specified that the panel's role is to review what has already occurred and cannot conduct its own enquiries. The panel can either dismiss the complaint wholly or in part, or uphold it wholly or in part, making recommendations for action. Following the panel's decision, a written report would be compiled within five working days, detailing the representations and the panel's recommendations. The local authority would then have 15 working days to respond with its proposed actions.

The report pack also indicated that the meeting would consider whether the public should be excluded from certain parts of the proceedings. This was to be done on the grounds that the nature of the business to be transacted might lead to the disclosure of exempt information, as defined by the Local Government Act 1972.

The meeting was scheduled to be attended by Ms Nicola Manners, Mr Colm Nolan (Chair), and Ms Dawn Hutcheon. Information about the meeting was available from Rebecca Salvatore via email at rebecca.salvatore@havering.gov.uk.