Agenda Items covered in this meeting include:
1. Minutes of Last Meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Standing Items: Local Planning Group Updates, Children's Fund, Local Preventative Strategy, CYPSP Development Officer's Update
4. CAMHS Strategy Update
5. Young People's Planning in Easington
6. Young People's Substance Misuse Plan
7. ECM Implementation Group Update: Mapping, The Durham 5, Pathfinders, Common Assessment Framework & Information Sharing
8. Update on Youth Services Green Paper
9. Dates of Meetings for 2005
10. AOB
Present: Frank Firth, Sure Start County Durham, Martin Armitage, Easington PCT, John Murphy, Easington District Council, Mary Hall, Wear Valley LSP, Mark Gurney, Social Care & Health, Chris Dawson, County Durham & Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust, Mark Cain, Eric Suddes, Durham Constabulary, Steve Clark, Easington District Council, Judith Tuck, DISC, Denis Robinson, NCH, Christina Blythe, County Durham Youth engagement Service, Melanie Fordham, Sedgefield PCT, Judith Latheron, Barnardos, Paul Hebron, DCC Education, Nick Tzamarias, Derwentside District Council, Gail Thompson, DCC, Tackling Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator, Mandy Taylor, Children North East, Patsy Fullen, Children’s Fund, Sue Hood, Durham & Chester Le Street PCT, Ijou Derrach Thompson, Durham & Darlington Racial Equality Council, Ann Nelson, Education Service, Eva Alexandratou, Children & Young People’s Strategic Partnership, Liam Cairns, Investiors In Children, Carole Payne, Social Care & Health, Lisa Ryder, Social Care & Health, Lynne Gregory, Education Service, Phillipa Scott, Centrepoint, P. Maunder, Durham & Tees Valley Public Health Network, David Landes, Durham Dales PCT, Michelle Kane, Durham Drug & Alcohol Team, Kath Tansey, Education, Janice Bray, Connexions County Durham, Judy Lomas, Chief executive’s Office, DCC, Mark Ladyman, Teesdale District Council, Graham Pilkington, Teesdale District Council, Maggie Bosanquet (on behalf of David Miller)Environment, Tricia Cresswell, Durham & Chester Le Street PCT.
Apologies: David Miller, Environment, Anne Beeton, Children’s fund, David Cliffe, Durham Drug & Alcohol Team, Ian Simon, Chester Le Street District Council, Debbie Edwards, County Durham & Tees Valley Health Authority, Kath Vasey, Sedgefield PCT, Gill Eshelby, County Durham Youth Engagement Service, Ann Armstrong, Chief Executive’s Office, DCC, Lesley Crawford, County Durham & Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust, Mark Weeding, DISC, Mandy Malone, Derwentside PCT, David Marrs, Durham City Council.
All present confirmed receipt of the new CYPSP membership list and contact details. At Tricia Cresswell's request Sue Hood is to be placed on the circulation list for CYPSP papers.
1. Minutes of last Meeting
Centerpoint Homelessness Strategy - Note that the 75% success rate for homelessness in Sedgefield (referred to on page 2) was for 16 – 17 year olds.
2. Matters Arising
- Youth engagement Service – It was reported that the recent inspection went very well and that the service had received ‘exemplary’ for prevention work.
- Teenage Pregnancy – it was reported that the full progress report has been to the regional office.
3. Standing Items
i. Local Planning Groups Updates
Eva Alexandratou updated the meeting regarding the step forward of regular meetings between the local planning groups and Debbie Jones at which they share information regarding local developments. This is the first step of a new stage since the development of the local planning groups. MH commented that this was a step in the right direction offering a reciprocal arrangement with a local dimension. The plan is to always meet approximately 10 days prior to the bi-monthly CYPSP meeting.
Durham Dales Local Planning Group – Mary Hall – Terms of reference have been agreed; work is ongoing regarding ways of managing Children Fund allocation to the Local Strategic Partnership, work is continuing with sub groups, membership continues to improve.
Sedgefield Local Planning Group – Melanie Fordham – progress is similar to that described by MH, they also are expanding, an engine group has been set up, they have agreed a commissioning approach to the Children’s fund, the Children’s Centre development has been steered through this group, work is taking place with Lifelong Learning regarding Extended Schools, the group is making progress.
Derwentside Local Planning Group – Nick Tzamarias – the first meeting of the group has taken place, the next is on 7th October where a chair will be elected and priorities will be set for the group, the elected chair will attend Debbie’s meetings in the future.
Durham & Chester Le Street Local Planning Group – The group have terms of reference, a chair has been agreed, 4 sub groups have been joined and are currently looking at needs, the focus of delivery of services and the Children’s Agenda.
Easington Local Planning Group – presentation to be given later.
ii. Children’s Fund – Patsy Fullen
The ‘Children’s Fund Update September 2004’ report circulated and further clarified: the next stage is to continue the training programme, fund allocation information is contained in the update. The difficulty will be in the timings given for the plan. A final plan has to be in place by Jan 05. Debbie commented that the letter from Margaret Hodge to Chief Executives makes the links clear regarding the Children Fund etc. The challenge created by the tight timescale was recognised alongside the opportunities presented by the plan demands & conditions. A draft plan will be submitted to CYPSP for approval on 16.11.04
iii. Local Preventative Strategy - Mark Gurney
Some consultation feedback has been received; a draft strategy will be available for the meeting on 16.11.04. The challenge is to translate a broad strategy into what is going to be done at local level, including local priorities balanced with county priorities. Mary Hall requested a copy of the document sent out for consultation.
iv. CYPSP Partnership Development Officer’s Update – Eva Alexandratou
Eva informed the meeting regarding the countywide ECM Road Shows aimed at staff to commence 29.9.04. The dates/venues have been widely advertised throughout social care & health and education, uptake of places has been strong. Arrangements for the ECM autumn conference on 23.11.04 are progressing, details will be provided soon.
4. CAMHS Strategy Update:
Mark Cain will give a presentation at the next meeting.
5. Young People’s Planning in Easington – Easington Local Children and Young People’s Planning Group – Martin Armitage & Steve Clark
- A handout was circulated entitled ‘Planning for Children’s Services in Easington’, detailing the seven agencies involved in the Easington Youth Forum. (Copies of further documentation will be available at the 16.11.04 meeting).
- The aim of the forum was to create a system that was as inclusive as possible but also achieved a balance regarding the numbers involved. It was agreed that an executive group was required to make decisions given the plethora of agencies/organisations required to sign anything off in the Easington area e.g. there a 5 provider Trusts.
- The voluntary sector have opted for the community network, this needs to be revisited.
- The big gap is involving young people.
- The forum opted to create 5 work streams.
- A presentation of the Easington ‘Youth Forum’ (copy attached) ‘Youth Forum’ copy of presentation on Easington Youth forum attached to e-mail* was given by Steve Clarke, Easington Youth Strategy Officer describing the forum and detailing: the forum endorsement by many groups and the involvement of more as progress is made, the forums outputs aim to use existing organisations/agencies, forum inputs overseen by a shadow steering group (for legal reasons) with an elected young person as vice chair, the object of the forum, sub groups both established and planned covering health, environment and leisure, education and training, crime and community safety, communication and marketing, strategic and planning and the development of an education and training programme.
- Funding is currently being researched. The forum is open and all input is welcome as are visits from young people from other areas. Contact details can be obtained from Steve Clarke at Easington District Council and Anita Spence CYPSP admin officer
6. Young People’s Substance Misuse Plan
Papers circulated included presentation, DAT/DRG/Community Safety (CS) Relationship Schematic ‘County Durham Young People’s Substance Misuse Plan’ including DAT/DRG/Community Safety (SC) Relationship Schematic.
Janice Bray outlined that the directive from central government this year has provided clarity and detailed key performance indicators. Any questions/queries should be directed to Michelle Kane, DAAT. Tricia Cresswell commented that there were concerns in the past in relation to commissioning, now there is much better partnership working. A pooled budget now also exists, Debbie Jones commented however that the challenge of pooled budgets is considerable, as the complexity has been greatly underestimated.
7. Every Child Matters in County Durham Implementation Group Update
The Bill is currently completing it’s passage, the Children Act may be available by the end of November, it will be accompanied by a fair amount of guidance as the philosophy behind it is that one size does not fit all. The children’s Trust is the preferred model. The complexity of delivering the agenda is increasingly more difficult in relation to sticking to our principles. The evolving and changing aspects in relation to local planning groups also provides a challenge to us all. The sooner LPG is over the better.
i. Mapping Update – Lynne Gregory
Report circulated: ‘Mapping Update for CYPSP 21st September 2004’ including:
- What has been done so far, what will be done next and details of how the partnership members can help.
- The introduction of the mapping project manager Lisa Ryder, contact details for Lynne and Lisa.
- Needs and services that are out there will be covered.
- Participation of the partnership in this exercise is crucial.
- There are a number of service areas that still need representation on the editorial group, which needs to be as representative as possible. It is proposed to involve the Local Planning Groups. The CYPSP membership list is the starting point. If anyone has any suggestions regarding how this can work for any service please don’t hesitate to make contact.
- The data capture form is currently being tested. Eva commented that a lot of the local planning groups have identified the gaps in local need; it will be useful to have a specific way of gathering information.
- Lynne informed the meeting that there is a danger in assuming that this can be simply co-ordinated and controlled as there is also an unmanageable element.
- The mapping team do not want to duplicate information but it must be double checked, as it is crucial to make sure all the data needed is collected.
- Tricia commented that a filter might need to be put in place at some point. Lynne agreed: while there is no problem getting information it must be of high quality and depth; a quality assurance analysis will be applied.
- The model being used is Bristol however Bristol is very much smaller than Durham. The use of the Durham 5 will produce a comprehensible format.
ii. Durham 5 – Kath Tansey
An early draft of priorities for children’ The Way Forward’ document was circulated for comments. Only 6 were received. Clearer links are needed to the joint assessment framework, the local preventative strategy and mapping. She will be looking at the framework first and requested volunteers to help with this work . This is a very important piece of work as it will assist in the development of a commissioning framework for Children’s Services.
iii. Pathfinders
Report of Amanda Johnson & Debbie Jones, Joint Project Directors to the CYPSP 'Every Child Matters in County Durham Pathfinders' was circulated, detailing the background to the decision regarding the choice of the 2 Pathfinders, the selection process, information about the Specialist Services Disability Pathfinder, the Locality based Pathfinder and the timetable involved. Tricia Cresswell gave a presentation: ‘Pathfinder Project for Disabled Children & Young People & Their Families’. The draft project plan will be e-mailed to partnership members for consultation by Friday 24 September 04. Comments to be sent to Glynis Barron. Frank Firth updated the meeting regarding the second locality based pathfinder: a meeting has taken place with the ECM project consultant who is currently mapping the frame for the project brief, looking at how to integrate local services pre birth – 24. Links need to be made between universal/specialist services, the project needs to be sustainable. The locality based Pathfinder is the basis of the philosophy on which Every Child Matters rests. There will be much further progress regarding the location of this project by the next CYPSP meeting.
iv. Common Assessment Framework and Information Sharing
'Information sharing and Assessment Policy Update’ presentation by Mark Gurney updating the meeting regarding current government thinking and what Durham is doing in relation to the Information Sharing Databases and the common Assessment Framework. Further information and access to consultation is available on the DfES website: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/everychildmatters/ Mark also invited views to be sent to him.
Further information on the Common Assessment framework may be out in December 04. Mark informed that a lot had been learned from the IRT project and that a report would be fed back to the CYPSP soon, however there are a lot of sensitive issues still. Reform will be extensive and far-reaching involving the whole Children’s services workforce. Debbie commented that this is crucial work but there are a number of critical issues especially in relation the concerns of young people confidentiality being the primary one, however we do not want to loose momentum we have started with young people and the possible appointment of a project officer is planned.
8. Update on Youth Work Green Paper – Janice Bray
Janice reported on a meeting with Margaret Hodge in London yesterday:
- Government have decided there is to be a complimentary Green Paper for 13 – 19 year olds published alongside the Children Bill.
- A new integrated Youth Offending Service is proposed with targeted support for young people with additional needs and looked after children.
- Provision of universal information and advice.
- The team are about to embark on talking to stakeholders.
- There will be a link to Every Child Matters, there is little coherence in local and national availability.
- Targeted support is also on the Child Parenting Agenda.
- Government are looking at a whole range and recognised they had created some problems.
- They propose to bring together initiatives etc through pooled budgets.
- Hypothesis is setting out a new youth offending entitlement to activities, to improve demand, expand choice, strengthen delivery of targeted support, include a greater role for parents etc and have greater involvement of young people.
The paper will probably be out by the next CYPSP meeting in November.
9. Dates of Meetings for 2005
10. Any Other Business
