Denton, Droylsden & Audenshaw

Area Coordination Management

Time: 10.00
Date: Friday 2nd October 2009
Venue: Greenside Children’s Centre

Present:

Bob Shaw Area - Co-ordinator & Chair
Lynn Barber -  TMBC (Children’ Centres)
Phil Massey -  Audenshaw Network
Jane-Ann Birkitt -  TMBC
Chris Harris -  Connexions 
Maureen Wallis -  TMBC

Note taker:  Lindsay Patchett - SCYP Commissioning Team

Item 1: Welcome

Bob welcomed everyone to the meeting

Item 2: Apologies

Tracey Rowe, Gill Gibson, Malcolm Knight, Sue Lennie

Item 3: Notes of last meeting and matter arising

Agreed as accurate, no matters arising not on today’s agenda

Item 4: Common Processes:

Jane-Ann Birkitt gave a presentation with an overview of CAF’s to date.

• Unknown number CAFs not logged on JASPER or Jane-Ann not informed
• It was suggested that JASPER needed updating as old users were still on the system

Action: Bob to enquire as to whether something can be put in place to remedy this e.g. an email sent after 3 months of inactivity and if no response the person removed from the system.

• Chris stated that Connexion staff are being encouraged to use JASPER more and JASPER was being built into day to day work.
• Jane-Ann asked members of the group to encourage their staff to attend one of the CAF workshops
• The CAF form has been updated in particular the Actions/Goals sections.
• At present early intervention is not evident in the CAFs completed to date.
• CAFs are used by some agencies as their referrals system though that is not there expressed purpose

Jane-Ann gave more insight into the Denton, Droylsden and Audenshaw figures

Presentation available on request

Item 5: Early Intervention and Prevention Teams: Update

Bob gave an update of the Early Intervention and Prevention Teams

• Draft report to key multi agency team in September
• Final report expected mid October
• 4 teams, 1 for each area
• Operate at pre CAF level
• Non-case holding
• Pre-implementation group
• Report publicly available mid November
• Teams operational by January
• Teams will be made up of seconded staff
• A lot of details still to be ironed out
• Probably 5-8 members per team
• Police
• Community Safety
• Council Staff
• PCT Staff
• Comments to be relayed to Claire Bibby by Bob:
• Concern that members of the ‘new’ team were being seen as non-case holding – more particularly when it is known that community safety will be case holding Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and other anti-social/nuisance cases
• Clarity will be needed about whether these early intervention staff will be undertaking CAFs. The view was expressed that when the needs of a child become more significant and the difficulties experienced were indicating the need for a CAF then this should be undertaken by the most relevant person – which in many cases would be a member in the ‘new’ team. A CAF will provide a good basis for understanding needs and discovering who might best meet those needs. And provide a solid base for a referral to whoever might get involved next…
• Concern that we already have people who signpost/provide a gateway to other services. And a view that within teams people already do this as an everyday part of their job. This was encapsulated in the phrase – its early intervention we want not early referral! The new teams members should be seen as ‘doers’.
• Concern expressed about who will take on the work of those staff who are seconded?
• Not sure about the relationship of these new teams to Neighbourhood Action Teams – need to clarify what will be different and ensure no duplication
• What will be the relationship of Children Centres and Extended Schools to the new teams? – seems pretty key to try work this out… And this is of course will be true for all teams.
• Also wanted to learn about the management arrangements?
  

Item 6: C&YP Plan 2010-13 – Group contributions to

Bob asked the group to think primarily about two of the questions posed:

1. What do you think are the important priorities that need to be reflected in the Children and Young People Plan over the next three years?

The group commented thus:

• Adopt the ‘think family approach’ and enhance parenting coordination, support and training
• Improve facilities for young people around
• Junior youth provision
• Wider range of positive activities
• Increased opportunities for volunteering
• Ensure we meet the requirements on the raising of the participation age
  

2. What support do you need to ensure that all of the members of the children’s workforce have the right skills to do their jobs effectively and are confident to carry out their roles?

The group commented thus:

• Prioritise safeguarding issues and make this training available to all
  

Item 7: Local Connexions Data

Chris gave details of the Connexions data – NEET profile.

• Connexions work with all young people from the age of 14 in the boroughs high schools – based on school placement
• Once the young person has left school they will be under the Connexions nearest to their home address.
• NEET figures fluctuate month by month
• Chris handed out the figures for July 09 (see embedded documents)
• 9.8% 16, 17 & 18 year old were NEET
• To be classed as NEET the young person is actively

Documents available on request

Item 8: Working Neighbourhood Fund - parents and the labour marker

Employment Advisors for Children’s Centres – Jobs have now gone through the Pay and Grading system and were ready for the recruitment process.

Item 9: Reporting back on local networks (Denton Network/Denton South C & YP task group)

At the last meeting 10 people attended. At the meeting Lynn gave a presentation on the transition from nursery to school.

The next meeting is to be held 15/12/09 – the theme is to be “Staying Safe”

Denton neighbourhood – contract awarded to Northbound who will provide a range of activities in outdoor pursuits to those NEET or at risk of becoming NEET.

Item 10: Health Profile for Tameside – Item for Information

Papers attached to agenda; distributed for information