Children & Young People's Strategic Partnership Minutes

Agenda Items covered in this meeting include:
1. Minutes of the last meeting
2. Matters Arising
3. Standing Items - i) Local Children & Young People Planning Groups and Partnership Development Officers Update, ii) Children’s Fund, iii) Local Preventative Strategy Update
4. National Local Progress update
5. National Service Framework
6. CAMHS Strategy/future direction
7. DISC the Role of the Voluntary Sector in ECM Developments
8. Children and the Environment
9. Communities of Learning
10. AOB

Present: Val Goodrum, Learning Skills Council, Elaine Chandler, Parent Partnership, Ann Beeton, Children’s Fund, Mary Hall, Wear Valley LSP, Paul Hebron, Education, DCC, Michelle Kane, Durham Drug & Alcohol Action Team, Alison Ferst, One Voice Network, Nick Tzamarias, Derwentside District Council, Sue Hood, Durham & Chester Le Street PCT, Janice Bray, Connexions County Durham, Carole Dixon (Representing Catherine Hodgkiss), Durham & Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Carole Payne, Social Care & Health, Gail Thompson, Tackling Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator, Liam Cairns, Investing in Children, Ann Armstrong, Chief Executive’s Office, DCC, David Miller, Environment Services, DCC, Eva Alexandratou, CYPSP Partnership Development Officer, Kath Tansey, Learning Support Service, DCC Education, Gail Hopper, Social Care & Health, DCC, Frank Firth, Education, Sure Start County Durham, Mark Weeding, DISC, Philippa Scott, Centre point, Gill Eshelby, County Durham Youth Engagement Service, Ann Nelson, Education Development Service, DCC, Christina Blythe, County Durham Youth Engagement Service, Kath Vasey, Sedgefield PCT, Lynne Gregory, Learning Support Service, DCC Education, David Landes, Durham Dales PCT, Mark Gurney, Social Care & Health, Fiona McGlone, Napier – Watson, ECM consultant, Peter Burns, Culture & Leisure, DCC, Amanda Johnson, Durham Local Education Authority, Denis Robinson, NCH, Martin Armitage, Easington PCT, Mark Cain, CAMHS, County Durham & Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust, Patsy Fullen, Children’s Fund.

Apologies: Judith Latheron, Barnardos, Eric Suddes, Police, Lesley Crawford, County Durham & Darlington Priority Services, Ijou Thompson, Darlington & Durham County Racial Equality Council, Mark Ladyman, Teesdale District Council, David Marrs, Durham City Council, Mandy Malone, Derwentside PCT, Phil Ball, Sedgefield District Council, Catherine Hodgkiss, County Durham & Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Debbie Edwards, County Durham & Tees Valley Health Authority, John Murphy, Easington District Council

1. Minutes of the Last Meeting
Correction to attendance list: Amanda Johnson was present.
Correction to page 5, the title of item 8 should read: ‘ New Integrated Youth Service’

2. Matters Arising
None

3. Standing Items
i) Local Planning Groups
Durham Dales, Mary Hall reported that the group have agreed terms of reference; they are currently looking at the main group’s relationship to sub groups and governance arrangements. A meeting is planned with the chairs of the sub groups regarding agreement of governance proposals on 29 Nov 04.

Derwentside, Nick Tzamarias circulated an update report on behalf of Malcolm Pitt and went through the main points for the meeting.

Easington, Martin Armitage circulated a report and referred to the presentation given at the last CYPSP meeting held on 21 Sept 04, he updated further that the group structure needs time to bed in, some work streams are not yet set up. He emphasised the inclusiveness of the group and informed that a field officer has been appointed, the group are considering holding a conference next year.

Durham & Chester Le Street, Tricia Cresswell informed that the D & CLS area is split into 7 localities the document detailing this is available on the PCT website, local service mapping is underway, this is a big task in particular around Pelaw. Membership of the group is steadying, the sub groups are made up of: Sure Start Children’s Centres Task Group, PCT Children & Young People’s Action Group, Chester Le Street Youth Policy Group, Durham Young People’s Action Group, Parenting Task Group. Children’s Fund information is currently progressing through the group.

Sedgefield, Kath Vasey reported that the group is going from strength to strength, it is becoming more inclusive, and a couple of stakeholder events have been held examining joint performance targets. A Children’s Centre subgroup now exists, a field officer has been appointed, work is underway on an implementation plan, and the group are engaging Head Teachers. The Planning group is a sub group of the LSP; the group are meeting next week to try to reach agreement regarding tackling workload.

• EA commented that there is now recognition of the huge agenda and the LSPs are recognising the LPs as sub groups. DJ commented that the situation is very different to this time last year

ii) Children’s Fund
Referring to the draft ‘developing Preventative Services Children’s fund Strategic Plan framework2005 – 2008’ recently circulated to the CYPSP for consideration AB reported that this is the third strategic document the Children’s Fund has been requested to produce this year, the first was in March and the second in August. Central government direction is clear regarding the agenda for the Children’s Fund; they want a coherent document to take to inception of Children’s Trusts. This document has been requested.

iii) Local Preventative Strategy
No further developments.

4. National Local Progress update Debbie Jones & Janice Bray

• Children Bill - DJ reported that the Bill is expected late November early December and that alongside the heavily reported slapping issue other changes include a duty placed on schools and GPs to co-operate.
• DfES Government Office North East will be visiting DCC next week to see how we are doing regarding the change for Children Agenda.
• A message which may be missed is the 5 year strategy and the NSF etc will be represented in the Children and Young People’s Plan, the first one will be available in 2006. The huge culture change needed has been underestimated centrally.
• We have come a long way in Durham, LGR is now past and we know what we are dealing with. We have worked hard future proofing and must not get distracted.

Youth Green Paper - Janice Bray reported that the original date of the YGP was to coincide with the Children Bill but it is now unlikely to come out until mid December. It may possibly contain 6 themes: places to go, things to do, information advice and guidance, graduation and transitions, active citizenship and political awareness, volunteering but it is difficult to second guess it. The fear is that if the GP is delayed beyond Xmas how will this affect the timescale as a 3 month consultation period is required.

5. National Service Framework – Tricia Cresswell
Dr Tricia Creswell, Director of Public Health, Durham & Chester Le Street Primary Care Trust gave a presentation on the vast National Service Framework document, ‘NSF for Children, Young People and Maternity Services’.

6. CAMHS Strategy / future direction – Mark Cain
Mark Cain, Children & Adolescent Mental Health Services Strategy & Services Manager gave a presentation on implementing the CAMHS Strategy in County Durham & Darlington, ‘Delivering a Comprehensive CAMHS’.

7. DISC the Role of the Voluntary Sector in ECM Developments Mark Weeding & Mandy Taylor
Mark Weeding, Executive Director DISC gave a presentation on the role of the Voluntary and Community Sector in the delivery of services to Children, Young People and Families in County Durham.

8. Children and the Environment - David Miller
David Miller, Head of environment & Resources Durham County Council gave a presentation on implications of the environment on children’s development, ‘Children and the Environment’.

9. Communities of Learning – Lynne Gregory
It was agreed to delay this item until the next meeting in January 05.

10. AOB

• Christina Blythe informed the meeting that the Prevent & Deter Strategy has to be put together by the end of November and the plan implemented by February 05, she would like an opportunity to run this past the Children’s Planning Groups.
• Gail Hopper informed that information on the inspection of Social Care & Health Children’s Services due to commence on 10th January 05 will be e-mailed out shortly. All members will receive letters from the inspectors and a briefing is to be held on 16 December 04, invitations will be sent out shortly, Gail requested that those unable to attend should contact her by e-mail.

11. Date of Next Meeting
18 January 2005.