Positive Contribution Theme Group

Time: 2.00 – 3.30pm
Date: 26th January 2009
Venue: YOT – 31 Clarence Arcades

Present

Claire Bibby - Chair
Julie Lord - (Theme Coordinator)- Area Coordinator Dukinfield, Stalybridge, Mossley
Tina Lavender - Action for Children (NCH) Participation Project
Catherine Mee - PCT (Parenting)
Pauline Daniels Children’s Centres/Extended Schools
Maurice Smith  School Improvement Service
Barry O’Hagan  YOT
Lisa Hoyland  EDU/TELP
Andy Cheers    Tameside College
Sandra Jakeman   Children’s Social Care
Sue Nathan     Youth Service
Liz Hughes     Play
Tracy Turley   PCT (Participation)

Note taker: Lindsay Patchett

Item 1: Welcome

Claire welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.

Item 2: Apologies

Emma Varnam

Item 3: Minutes from the last meeting and matters arising

Item 6. Review of the membership of the group – To be completed
Item 7. Theme for March meeting – Democracy
Ideas for May meeting to be sent to Julie please.

Minutes accepted as a true record.

Item 4: Youth Crime Report Cards

Barry gave a verbal presentation of the Report Card

• As the old figures were on the report card Barry gave details of the current figures – Barry to update the card and this will be sent electronically to meeting members.
• EET
• Incrementally had improved
• Last quarter hitting 72.5% an improvement of 14.3% (Ages up to 17)
• Better for school age young people than those age 16+
• We are doing well compared to our statistical neighbours
• We get significantly less funding than other YOTs within the statistical family

The group looked at the figures in greater detail and Claire invited comments:
Claire – EET 75% is an improvement but this is not good enough
Barry – informed the meeting that he felt there was a problem with the time constraints of the EWOs, Connexions – staff are skilled but perhaps the problem is poor cohesion. Better follow up needed.
Sue Nathan – is the problem with the provision for the 16+
Andy Cheers – The college at present does not have the capacity for roll on/roll off provision – at present the majority of courses start in September.
Barry – Short courses can help young people with confidence and therefore there is more chance for them to achieve.
Lisa – asked if the YOT were aware of the Princes Trust/Groundwork and also that TELP may be able to assist.
Tina – were there links to “V” Involved – as volunteers – this would not remove the Young People from the stats, but could a step to EET.
Andy – informed the group that the college were looking at roll on/roll off programmes for the future. These programmes are more likely to be entry/foundation level programmes.
Claire – Pre 16 and Post 16 figures would be best looked separately.
Maurice – asked were any staff working in primary schools with regards to prevention?
Barry – we do have a prevention team consisting of a Manager and 3 staff who regularly go into schools. There is Youth Crime Action money – to develop Family Intervention Programme aimed at 5 -11 years old specifically. There is a sub group to look at the triggers for referrals. Children aged 5 – 11 excluded from school would perhaps be criteria. Criteria are being developed to deal with this age group.
Tina – the trigger should be before exclusion – perhaps looking at the risk using PASS which is linked to early intervention.
Claire – Do YOT use CAF’s
Barry – No YOT use ASSETT which is more thorough for the group they are dealing with. When an action plan is completed it is at that stage we involve other agencies.

Item 5: Report Cards exercise

Claire gave background information regarding report cards.

• What do we want to look at in the report cards
• We have standard items – NI’s
• Three big headlines
  • Engage in Decision Making
  • Engage in Law abiding and positive behaviour in and out of school
  • Develop self-confidence and successfully deal with significant life changes and challenges.
    

The group undertook an exercise looking at the report cards that had been presented and whether they sat comfortably within the headlines.

The group felt that the exercise had been useful.

Julie to report back to the meeting.

Item 6: Discussion around future of theme groups and membership

Discussion took place around the future of theme groups and membership with a chart being shown to the group.
Meeting members were asked to feedback/send questions via email

• Multi agency – the group felt we were “getting there”
• We have focussed on outcomes
• Good forum to gather information
• Good that everyone has contributed to report cards – being able to link up
• Good way to find out what others are doing

Claire – Can we do things more effectively?
Sue – challenge of how what we do links into the Partnership Network – not sure how this impacts
Julie – A lot of work done in the last 6 months on Participation Network
Tina – We are achieving things now – this was previously frustrating – but now feel that this is moving on.
Claire – suggested that a five minute update be included on future agendas

Item 7: Review of the CYPP

Claire introduced CYPP 08/09 and asked for feedback focussing on:

• Key Achievements in terms of outcomes in your area
• Continuing challenges

Please email feedback to Julie Lord

Item 8: AOB

None

Item 9: Date of the next meeting

19th March 2009 – Flowery Centre