Area Coordination Management Meeting

Denton, Droylsden and Audenshaw

Time: 10.00
Date: Friday 7 March 2008
Venue: Greenside Children’s Centre, Greenside Lane, Droylsden

Present:

• Bob Shaw - Area Co-ordinator
• Diane King - Youth Service
• Sue Lennie - Secondary School Rep – St Thomas More
• Phil Massey - Primary School Rep – St Stephen’s
• Chris Harris - Connexions
• John Rogers Primary School Rep – Greenside Primary
• Lynn Barber - Area Manager – Children’s Centres & Extended Schools
• Lorna Grennan - PCT
  

Note taker: Jo Cole

Item 1: Welcome

Bob welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Item 2: Apologies

• Debbie Duddridge - Family Support Team
• Paul Dodd - Youth Offending Team
• Margaret Morrison - Education Welfare Service

Item 3 – Notes of Last Meeting (9th November) and Matters Arising

Integrated Process
Bob reported that discussions are taking place between senior managers regarding integration. Bob has fed back the views of this group- i.e. the BEST is the preferred model of integration.

Neighbourhood Network Events
Bob reported that the Neighbourhood Network Event for Denton, Droylsden & Audenshaw is planned for 29th April. A planning meeting will take place in the next couple of weeks.

The purpose of these Neighbourhood Network Events is to bring partners and practitioners together and it has been suggested that there should be 5 per year, with each one focusing on a different Every Child Matters outcome.

Lorna reported that she has been involved in organising an event similar to these neighbourhood events in her previous job. Lorna was invited to the planning meetings set up between Lynn and Bob.

Item 4 – Presentation re: BOAT Project
Although it was agreed that Shannon would be invited back to give an update in 12 months time, Lynn explained that Shannon recently attended the Teenage Pregnancy Conference and, following on from this, is looking at some of the people involved in the Teenage Pregnancy research becoming involved in the BOAT Project.

Item 5 – Denton South Neighbourhood Renewal Programme
Bob reported that work is continuing on the action plan for children and young people in Denton South and a new one will soon be started which will link in with the Working Neighbourhood Fund.

Lynne added that the Awards Scheme will be launched on 10th April. Many Parent Group Leaders have already achieved their level 1 and will now be able to work towards levels 2 and 3.

Item 4: Area Action Plan – Updates

Action Plan No. 2 – Integrated Processes

Aligning Common Assessments and Referrals – Outcome of Consultation

Bob reported that 23 responses were received and a recommendation will be going to the Children’s Leadership Team and to the CYPSP to align referrals with the common assessment such that:

When a Common Assessment has been undertaken it will be used to request services without the need for additional paperwork or referral forms.

Bob fed back some of the answers given: -

• Is further training / workshops required?
  A mixed response received – ranging from none required to full training needed.
  Some feel common assessment process still not understood.
  Bob reported that Training for Trainers sessions have been organised and relevant people have been invited.
• Will it improve the development of quality?
  The overall responses were that it will help and not hinder the process.
• Will it stop the duplication of effort?
  The majority of people felt it would if the information is shared and the systems are used properly.
• Will it foster a focus on outcomes?
  Mixed response received.
• Will it support information sharing and a common language?
  Overall response – Yes.
• Will it build skills and knowledge?
  Mixed response received.

It was felt by everyone present at the meeting that this alignment will help to ensure that the correct information is recorded on JASPER and that the information will be of good quality.

A general discussion followed common assessments. It was felt that people are slowly becoming more comfortable with the process, although it is sometimes still a bit daunting and there are still capacity issues.

Service Information Directory: Prototype 2

Bob reported that the launch of SID will take place in a few weeks. Bob has seen the prototype version and there has been a noticeable improvement. After the launch, SID will go ‘live’ and it will feature a feedback / comments screen to enable users to participate in the consultation.

Bob feels that when finalised, it will be an invaluable tool for frontline staff, staff in schools, reception staff, etc.

Bob will circulate the link when it goes ‘live’.

Common Processes: Management Information Update

Bob circulated the latest data taken from JASPER.

He explained that the figures show a small and steady growth in Common Assessments. A more definitive pattern will be seen once we have 12 months of data. The message is still to encourage all staff to complete a Common Assessment and to record information on JASPER.

He explained that the figures are slightly higher in October / November due to the launch of the framework.

Bob acknowledged that there are still issues around training and CRB checks. He also reported that work is yet to be done with colleges and he has a meeting with the LSC in a couple of weeks to address this issue.

Sue
Currently, she is the only person in her school trained on JASPER and CAF. The Head of Learning Support is booked on the training but has not yet attended.

Lynne
The majority of children’s centre staff are trained. As new members of staff start, they are immediately booked on the training course.

Chris
A mapping exercise of year 9, 10 and 11 pupils takes place in the autumn by Connexions. This could also be a reason why the figures are higher during that period.

Proposal for the Creation of a Tameside CAF Champions Project

Bob went through the briefing note and explained that the focus of the proposal is on supporting, promoting and improving the operation of integrated processes, generally, but particularly on raising both the volume and quality of common assessments amongst universal providers.

The proposal has the following key actions: -

• The provision of a rapid response, consultancy, support and mentoring service to front-line staff
• The further embedding of integrated processes within the day-to-day practice of front-line staff
• The creation of a small practitioner reference group that can oversee the development of a CAF quality assurance scheme
• The introduction of quality standards and quality assurances processes for common assessments
• The recruitment of nominated CAF (and other integrated processes) champions in each universal provider
• The identification of schools in each of Tameside’s four areas to champion integrated processes and become a model of good practice
• The appointment of CAF Adviser to lead on these matters

Bob explained that the CAF Adviser will probably be seconded hopefully by September 2008. This person will work across the 4 areas.

Bob reported that other local authorities elsewhere have recruited similar posts and it has proven successful.

John Rogers would like to record his congratulations and thanks to the PCT for funding the majority of this project.

Action Plan No. 8 – Monitoring Progress to Integration

Audit Commission Survey – Presentation on Outcomes

Bob had mentioned the results of this survey at the last meeting and explained that the presentation to follow is a summary of the outcomes. He then proceeded with the presentation.

Lorna commented that children and young people should be invited to all events as a form of consultation. Practitioners can then report on what impact the event had and what actions have been taken.

John reported that he has recently spoken to an Assistant Secretary at NAHT and figures show that 92% of primary schools have the headteacher assigned as the lead professional.

The full presentation is going to the CYPSP meeting in April. However, it was requested that the presentation be emailed out to the ACMT. Bob to check.

Action Plan No. 9.2: Area Action Plan 2007/08

In order to do a review of the current Action Plan, the area co-ordinators have written a briefing note detailing the nine elements of the Action Plan, giving a summary and judgement for each one.

Bob explained that the judgements have been graded as either Heartening or Troublesome. These grades are used by the CYPSP and it was felt appropriate to use the same common language.

Bob then went through the briefing note in detail and comments were made.
Bob explained that the next action plan will include how to better distribute information.

Lorna commented that more progress will be made with the appointment of the Joint Commissioning Manager within TMBC (Jane Forrest), who will work closely with the Strategic Commissioning Manager from the PCT (Pat McKelvey).

The overall feeling is that the judgements of the action plan truly reflect the activity in the area. It was acknowledged that steady progress is being made as new centres are opening and new posts are being created.

Bob explained that next year’s action plan will be equally ambitious but perhaps more grounded and realistic in terms of what can be achieved.

Lynn commented that the case studies in preparation for JAR were useful to look at what is being done and what is being achieved and the impact. They are a good source of evaluation and evidence.

Lorna reported that she feels the PCT could be better at reporting on outcomes but this will get better over time.

Action Plan No. 7: Team Review

Bob explained that the purpose of the Team Review in the Action Plan is to review the function, remit and membership of the ACMT.

Bob acknowledged that this agenda item ideally needs more time than can be allocated today.

Lynne suggested that it may be useful to look at attendance at the first few ACMT meetings and look at who have joined and who have dropped off since then.
Phil suggested that a survey may be useful to assess managers’ opinions on the importance and usefulness of this meeting. Bob to follow this up.

Lorna questioned the purpose of this meeting – are people expected to take things back to their teams? What if they are not in a position to do that? Bob noted this point and will discuss this with the other area co-ordinators.

Action Plan No. 9: Area Profile: Final Version December 2007

This was included with the agenda for information purposes.

Item 5: Our views of the voluntary sector

Bob explained that T3SC have asked managers and practitioners to complete a template detailing what active involvement / engagement they have with the local voluntary and faith sector and what successes have there been at meeting the needs of young people.

Bob asked that the proforma be completed and returned to Jo, who will then collate the responses and send to Veronica Hyde.

Item 6: Notice of PCT Consultation for New GP Practice

Bob explained that the notice circulated with the agenda for this meeting forms part of the consultation for new GPs in the Denton, Droylsden and Audenshaw area.
Bob asked that managers disseminate this to their staff and display it on staff notice boards.

Item 7: JAR Area Network Event

Bob explained that 4 area network event provided a chance to listen to how JAR will affect staff and managers, how it is developing and what contribution staff might make.

If possible, people should attend the one in their area but can attend other areas if the dates are more suitable.

Please can everyone disseminate the email from Jo Cole to all their staff and encourage attendance at this event.

Item 8: Date of Next Meeting

Bob reminded everyone that the next meeting will take place on Friday 9th May 2008, 10.00 – 12.00 at Greenside Children’s Centre.

Item 9: Any Other Business

None.

THE MEETING CLOSED AT 11.35am

Glossary

• ABC Acceptable Behaviour Contract
• ACMT Area Co-ordination Management Team
• APIR (profile) Assessment, Planning, Implement and Review
• BOAT Better Outcomes Achieved Together
• BSF Building Schools for the Future
• CAF Common Assessment Framework
• CAMHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
• CMM Capability Maturity Model
• CLT Children’s Leadership Team
• CRB Criminal Record Bureau
• CSIP Care Service Improvement Partnership
• CWDC Children’s Workforce Development Council
• CYP Children and Young People
• CYPSP Children and Young People Strategic Partnership
• DDA Denton, Droylsden and Audenshaw
• DCSF Department Children, Schools and Families
• ECM Every Child Matters
• EIG Early Intervention Group
• ISA Information Sharing and Assessment
• ISSP Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme
• JAR Joint Area Review
• JASPER Joint Assessment System for Prevention and Early Referral
• LA Local Authority
• OBA Outcome based accountability
• PCT Primary Care Trust
• SENCO Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator
• SID Service Information Directory
• SSCF Safer Stronger Communities Fund
• T3SC Tameside Third Sector Coalition
• TMBC Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
• TOR Terms of Reference
• YOF Youth Opportunity Fund
• YOT Youth Offending Team