Area Coordination Management Meeting

Denton, Droylsden and Audenshaw

Minutes

Time: 10.00am
Date: 29th June 2007
Venue: Connexions Office, Clarence Arcade, Stamford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne

Present:

• Bob Shaw - Area Co-ordinator
• Malcolm Knight - Inclusive Services
• Margaret Morrison - Education Welfare
• Debbie Duddridge - Children's Social Care
• Veronica Hyde - T3SC
• Jo Brown - Connexions
• John Rogers - Primary School Rep - Greenside
• Lynn Barber - Children's Centres
• Sally Dickin - YOT
• Diane King - Youth Services

Note Taker: Jo Cole

1. Welcome

Bob welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made around the table.

2. Apologies

• Heather Good - Primary School Rep - Linden Road
• Tracey Rowe - Children's Social Care
• Sue Lennie - Secondary School Rep - St Thomas More
• Pat Schofield - PCT
• Phil Massey - Primary School Rep - St Stephens, Aud

3. Notes of last meeting and matter arising

The minutes from 10 th May were accepted as a true and accurate record, with the following matters arising:

Item 6

The Local Authority met with the Audit Commission and, as a result, an on-line survey for frontline staff is being developed and should be rolled out September/October.

Concerns were raised regarding people's already demanding workloads and whether it would be feasible to complete it.

Item 7

The bid to the CWDC for a CAF Champion was rejected. Feedback not yet received.

Other options are being explored in terms of resources and capacities available elsewhere.

4. Managers' Update

Pat Schofield

Although Pat was unable to attend, due to staff shortages, she sent a brief update.

• Pat is the Health Visitor Team Leader of Denton, Droylsden & Audenshaw.
• A Childcare Co-ordinator has now been appointed for this area - name still unknown.
• This person will be in post August/September time and will replace Pat at these meetings.

Malcolm

• Malcolm is the Co-ordinator of the Pupil Referral Service. This service consists of three Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) and is part of Inclusive Services (formerly Special Educational Needs).
• There are 3 PRUs in Tameside:
• Ashton = KS1, KS2, KS3 permanent exclusions.
• Hyde = KS4 permanent exclusions.
• Bridgeway = children unable to go to school e.g. hospital patient, pregnant, children with mental health problems.
• Plans are in the pipeline for building 2 new PRU buildings, to co-locate the provision at KS3 with mainstream schools. Another new building is to be built on the current Globe Lane site to house a larger KS4 PRU to replace Hyde PRU.
• Malcolm explained what effect the new government legislation on 6 th day exclusions will have on an already over-stretched provision.
• The number of permanently excluded pupils being taught by the service is rising, with 74 currently at Hyde PRU, approximately 28 at Ashton PRU, and a lengthy waiting list.
• The schools in North Lincolnshire have stopped permanently excluding pupils. Instead, alternative provision is sought outside of the school.
• The PRU Services works very closely, when necessary, with Connexions, CAMHS, the Youth Service, Tameside Hospital (for Bridgeway PRU), Springleigh Clinic & Children's Social Care.
• There are also links with the VCF sector, when searching for alternative provision.
• Malcolm identified the need for stronger links with schools and the YOT.

Debbie

• Debbie circulated a leaflet entitled ‘Family Support Services', explaining what the Family Support Team do and how to access the service.
• Debbie is the Family Support Team Manager for Denton , Droylsden and Audenshaw. She was previously the Family Support Team Manager for Stalybridge, Dukinfield and Mossley. The DDA Family Support Team is currently based in Dukinfield. In the longer term they will hopefully co-locate with the DDA Assessment Team.
• The Family Support Team provides family support services for children and young people aged 0-16. They work with the children and young people themselves, but also with the parents and families, mainly in their own homes.
• They work very closely with the Assessment Team, as all their cases are referrals from the Assessment Team.
• The Family Support team deliver parenting programmes, working with the PCT, the extended schools team, schools nurses. The courses are delivered in localities e.g. schools, children's centres.

Sally suggested that the Family Support Teams and the YOT should link up when delivering locality-based courses.

Action items:	Person responsible:	Deadline:
Sally and Debbie to discuss linking the delivery of courses.	Sally / Debbie	Ongoing

5. Presentation from Veronica Hyde, Community Networker, T3SC

• Veronica is the Community Networker / Co-ordinator for T3SC and has been in post for approximately 10 months. The post is ever changing and ever evolving to meet the needs of the community and VCF groups. She helps to co-ordinate and streamline services (VCF and statutory) for the community.
• She works with a huge, diverse group of people within the community - children, young people, families and adults.
• The Denton , Droylsden and Audenshaw area has a vast amount of community groups e.g. OKE, WAC, youth clubs, sports groups.
• Veronica sits on the LSCB and the Tameside Children's Workforce Development Strategy Group.
• Veronica wants to enable the VCF groups to learn from each other and develop services, and for that they need training and funding. The VCF groups have access to training, just the same as statutory services. She noted that some of the current funding will expire in March 2008.
• Veronica has recently submitted a 3-year action plan to the CWDC
• Veronica distributed an invitation to the WAC 30 Birthday Party, taking place on Saturday 21 st July at The Water Adventure Centre, Droylsden, 2.00 - 7.00.
• Veronica also distributed a list of the groups and organisations that are engaged/linked with T3SC.

6. Area Action Plan

6.1 - Action Plan No: 2.1 & 2.2

Common Assessment Flowchart & Wall Chart

The reasons for creating the flowchart and wall chart and its purpose were explained and discussed. Amongst other things, Bob pointed out that the part of the flowchart that asks a professional to assume a Lead Professional is only an interim measure in order to make easier progress to the next stage. The Lead Professional role can change following a common assessment. The most appropriate person in the circumstances should become the Lead Professional. Further comments to the flowchart and wall chart were welcomed.

Malcolm

• It is good to hear that the Lead Professional can change. It addresses the concern of some professionals that if they highlight the need, they are automatically assigned as Lead Professional for the long term.

Veronica

• The flowchart and wall chart are now both at the stage where I can present this to the VCF groups.
• Children and young people should be consulted on how understandable it is.

Margaret

• The flowchart is a good tool to train with.

Jo

• Flowchart is very good - easy to understand. Makes it clear.

Diane

• The diagrams make it clear - clarifies workload - especially for part-time workers.

John

• The first diamond ‘ Is child/young person at risk of significant harm?' is a complex question and is causing some friction. Schools act because they believe the child is at risk, but some other services will have a different opinion.
• There should be a loop going from the bottom box ‘Review and monitor as agreed', back up to the first diamond, ‘Is the child/young person at risk of significant harm'.

Bob

• The wall chart and flowchart is being discussed at other Area Coordination Management Teams and with other venues. It will be amended and agreed at the next ISA meeting and sent to Partnership and the Children's Leadership team for approval. The final outcome will be brought back to members of this meeting.

General Comments re: CAF

Malcolm

• There was a discussion at one of the education psychology team meetings regarding what stage they record information on JASPER. There needs to be consistency.

Margaret

• Is there a time limit for people inputting on JASPER? Should there be a deadline?

Jo

• Services can be offered without doing a CAF.

Lynn

• A CAF needs to be completed when the case reaches a multi-agency level.

John

• Problems re: CRB checks - some members of staff not listed as being cleared with the CRB because they were checked via Ofsted.
• There are concerns regarding capacity. The CAF process will ultimately be the responsibility of the Headteacher and this needs addressing. Someone else needs to take on the role.
• What is the process regarding whole families causing concern? Surely, 3 CAFs shouldn't be completed for a family, just because they have 3 children.

Bob

• There are indeed issues regarding CRB checks that are outwith the scope of this team.
• Bob acknowledged the capacity issues. However, it was argued that the Partnership needs to achieve clarity on what the process is first - then look towards solving the capacity issues. This will have bearing on the capacity questions.
• We are not in a position to set timescales yet or fully mandate the processes. However, firmer measures to ensure consistency of application can be put in place once clarity and partnership ascent has been achieved

JASPER Data

Due to an error in distribution prior to the meeting, this item was deferred until the JASPER data can be circulated.

CAF Sampling

Bob briefly analysed the figures and referred to the accompanying spreadsheets. Members were encouraged to take the information away and contact Bob with any comments.

6.2 - Action Plan No: 4.4 - Twice-yearly meeting

The draft programme, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, was explained and comments were invited.

John

• If this meeting is aimed at parents / families, it should take place either after school drop-off (9.30 - 11.30), or before school pick-up (1.00 - 3.00). Alternate times at each one.
• There are already a large number of agencies/services jumping on the ‘consultation bandwagon'. People feel bombarded and may not attend.

Veronica

• Promote it as being a ‘partnership' event - not a ‘them and us' approach.

Possible venues and times were discussed and it was agreed in principle that there should be more than one event because of the scale of the area.

• Greenside Children's Centre, 9.30 - 11.30 or 1.00 - 3.00
• Duke Street , Denton , 4.30 - 6.30

Action items:	Person responsible:	Deadline:
Bob to circulated JASPER data.	Bob	As soon as possible.
Bob to progress the wider-network meeting and give an update at the next meeting.	Bob	14th September

7. Action Plan Monitoring Update

Bob explained that the Area Action Plan will be updated and monitored regularly.

The most up-to-date Action Plan will be emailed out to members of the ACMT on a regular basis (usually with papers for the next meeting). It won't be necessary to print it every time.

8. AOB

Venues for 14 September and 9 November

Bob asked for volunteers to host the next two meetings.

Diane offered to check the availability of Duke Street and contact Bob.

Action items:	Person responsible:	Deadline:
Diane to email Bob with availability of Duke Street	Diane	As soon as possible

The meeting closed at 11.55am.

Glossary

• ACMT Area Co-ordination Management Team
• APIR (profile) Assessment, Planning, Implement and Review
• CAF Common Assessment Framework
• CAMHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
• CMM Capability Maturity Model
• CLT Children's Leadership Team
• CWDC Children's Workforce Development Council
• CYP Children and Young People
• CYPSP Children and Young People Strategic Partnership
• DDA Denton , Droylsden and Audenshaw
• EIG Early Intervention Group
• ISA Information Sharing and Assessment
• ISSP Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme
• 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
• T3SC Tameside Third Sector Coalition
• TOR Terms of Reference
• YOF Youth Opportunity Fund
• YOT Youth Offending Team