Supporting Children and Young People to Achieve Economic Wellbeing

Notes of Meeting

Time: 9.00
Date: 30th September 2009
Venue: Greenside Children’s Centre

Chair: Lucy Davies

Note taker: Lindsay Patchett

Attendance:

Bob Shaw -  Area Co-ordinator and Theme Lead, TMBC
Caroline Gregory -  Neighbourhood Regeneration
Annie O’Malley -  Connexions
Andrew Leah -  TMBC – Housing
Phil Spence -  Tameside MBC
Audra Nicholls -  Rathbones
Vicky Cuddy -  Children’s Centres Tameside MBC

1. Welcome and Introductions

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

2. Apologies

Sheila Piazza
John Symington
Alan Franco
David Burdis
Christine Gerrard

3. Minutes of the Last Meeting

Agreed as an accurate

4. Matters Arising

• Employment Advisors jobs have now been through the Pay & Grading process
• Bailey Hall – recommend a visit. Good meeting venue.

5. Theme for the meeting
Children and Young People live in decent homes and sustainable communities

Andrew Leah gave an update on the Housing Strategy

5.1 Update on previous Improvement Actions

Prevention will be key
Information to key agencies:

1. Young persons leaflet produced & distributed via schools and connexions. Two consultation groups with families in the Homelessness Strategy review. Consulted on the new Enhanced Opportunities Project at the Homelessness Forum and an evaluation with partners on the Independent Living Course. Piloted a young persons lifeskills course in the spring.

• Produce a leaflet – distribute through schools and Connexions
• Homelessness – Box of Frogs Action group – 2 consultations with families looking at the first 12 months – ½ day event 24/10/09
• Evaluation of partners

2. Completed

• Service Information Directory entries updated by Colm

3. Progress frustrated by Southwark Judgement. Joint Protocol with Social Care revised

• Common Processes Flowchart – affected by the Southwark Case
  • Andrew to meet with Annie
  • Social worker to be appointed to work with 16-17 year olds (technically will be in care (LAC)).
  • One million pounds additional funding will be required
  • Young Peoples Assessment, Joint Protocol has been drafted – awaiting confirmation

4. 4. Planned to cross reference the YP who present at Housing Advice with Connexions tracking data

• Cross referencing with Connexions data has been suggested.

5.2 Presentation

Andrew gave a presentation on the new Housing Strategy

6 Summary of Improvement Actions and updates – May 2008 – September 2009

Bob summarised the Summary of Improvement Actions and Updates document.

7 Youth Online Survey

Bob gave a presentation of the Youth Online Survey with particular relevance to Achieve Economic Wellbeing.

The presentation gives an insight into the lives of year 10 pupils.

• The group felt it would be good to have a comparison with other AGMA authorities
• The group felt that individual schools need to take action as a result of the survey –Bob responded that the report has been disseminated at individual school level
  

8 Children and Young People’s Plan 2010-2013

The group looked at the questions with regards to the Young Peoples Plan.

Bob asked the group to pay particular attention to questions 2 & 7

Q What do we need to get better at to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people?
The following constitute the group’s contributes and will be forwarded to Ameena Ahmed

• Develop a comprehensive offer of positive activities to Young People through extended schools and sports and cultural activities out of school, that also support aspirations for future training and employment
• Improve the financial literacy of young people and their families
• Increase the number of young people who are EET
• Improve participation of young people age 19 in NVQ level 3 and reduce the achievement gap between vulnerable groups (e.g. disadvantaged communities, ethnic minorities, young people receiving free school meals) and other groups
• Improve marketing of information, advice and guidance services to young people age 14-19
• Increase engagement in family learning activities

Q: What gaps in services do you think there are in Tameside?
The following constitute the group’s contributes and will be forwarded to Ameena Ahmed

• Improving the quality and quantity of work experience placements for 14-19 year olds
• Improving junior youth provision
• Improve support housing provision for young people
  

9 Children Centre Community Projects for Under 5’s

Vicky Cuddy gave out details of funding for small projects.