Children & Young People's Strategic Partnership Minutes

Agenda items covered in this meeting include:
1. Minutes of meeting held on 16 November 2004.
2. Matters Arising.
3. Chair's update: i) Chair of CYPSP – 'Change for Children', PAF & NSF Implementation Plan, ii) Local Planning Groups –update from the 5 Chairs, iii) CYPSP Partnership Officer update.
4. ECM Implementation Team update: i) Outcomes Framework update, ii) Integrated Services Pathfinder, iii) Audit of Needs & Services, iv) Children's Fund, v) Local Preventative Strategy.
5. Communities of Learning
6. Learning Skills council 14 – 19 Strategy & Learning entitlement
7. Parenting Network Update
8. AOB: i) Report on MALAP

Present: Ann Armstrong, Corporate Services, DCC, Nigel Dodds, Durham City Council, Meg Boustead, DCC, Fostering & Adoption, Paul Hebron, DCC, Education Service, Peter Cradock, 14 – 19 LEA/LSC, Phil Ball, Sedgefield Borough Council, David Miller, Mandy Taylor, Children North East, Mark Weeding, DISC, Gill Eshelby, County Durham Youth Engagement Service, Ann Nelson , DCC Education Service, Amanda Johnson, DCC, Education Service, Janice Bray, Connexions County Durham, Kath Tansey, DCC, Education, Learning Support Service, Mark Cain, CAMH Strategy, Debbie Edwards, County Durham & Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority, Mark Gurnery, DCC, Social Care & Health, Mark Ladyman, Teesdale LSP, Carole Payne, DCC, Social Care & Health, Sue Hood, Durham & Chester Le Street PCT, Melanie Fordham, Sedgefield PCT, Philipa Scott, Centrepoint , Gail Thompson, Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator, County Durham, Liam Cairns, Investing In Children, Ann Beeton, Children's Fund, Eva Alexandratou, CYPSP Partnership Development Officer, John Rymaszewski, DCC, Education, Support Communities of Learning, Elaine Chandler, Parent Partnership Co-ordinator, Martin Armitage, Easington PCT, Malcolm Pitt, Sure Start Stanley, Chair, Derwentside CYPPG, Lindsay Smith, Educational Psychology Service, Lynne Gregory, DCC, Education, Learning Support Service, Gail Hopper, DCC, Social Care & Health, Debbie Jones, DCC, Social Care & Health

Apologies: Christen Blythe, County Durham Youth Engagement Service, Patsey Fullen, Children's Fund, Nick Tzamarias, Derwentside District Council, David Landes, Durham Dales PCT, Dennis Robinson, NCH, Val Goodrum, Learning Skills Council, Tricia Cresswell, Durham & Chester Le Street PCT

1. Minutes of meeting held on 16 November 2004
Accepted.

2. Matters Arising

• Youth Green Paper – Janice Bray reported that there is no sign of the YGP yet and that the timescale is now so tight that it is possible it may be delayed until after the election in May.
• DJ reported that the SC & H Inspection of Children & Family Services ends on 21.1.05.

3. Chair's Update: i) Chair of CYPSP – 'Change for Children', PAF & NSF Implementation Plan, ii) Local Planning Groups – update from the 5 Chairs, iii) CYPSP Partnership Officer update

i) 'Change for Children', PAF & NSF Implementation Plan

• DJ highlighted 2 central government policy documents informing the children's agenda 'Change for Children', Performance Assessment Framework and the National Service Framework Implementation Plan. The Chairs of the Local Planning Groups and the ECM Implementation team felt it important to draw these to the attention of the CYPSP.
• DJ commented that while it seems that different government departments are offering conflicting advice the consistent message is that ECM is seen as the driver for NSF and overall ECM is the driver for Change for Children.
• There have been many consultation documents over the last couple of months including the Change for Children document but we now have the guidance which reveals that one size does not fit all, that legislation will be slim and that the main meat of the policy documents is within the guidance. www.dh.gov.uk and www.dfes.gov.uk
• Debbie Edwards highlighted the 'Supporting Local Delivery, Every Child Matters: Change for Children in Health Services' document produced jointly by DoH & DfES which sets out information regarding the implementation of the NSF and locks together all of the above driving forces within health. It also covers commissioning, performance framework and inspection process. It identifies how the NSF and the wider health agenda fits into the Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme, and what this means for health organisations. http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCareTopics/ChildrenServices

ii) Local Planning Groups updates

• Derwentside – A report was circulated. Malcolm Pitt updated the partnership as follows: a new vice chair has been appointed, the group is continuing development of outcomes & targets and is finding the new template for the Durham 5 document very helpful, Children's Fund monies from 2004/5 have been allocated but consideration is being given to commissioning work in 2005/6 due to the reduction in allocation.
• Sedgefield – There have been changes to structure arrangements, the Planning Group is now directly accountable to the Local Strategic Partnership, the terms of reference have also slightly changed, there is now an advisory group to the policy groups and an extra work stream has been created (joint performance and outcomes), agreement with the Parent Network has been further developed, all Children's Fund funding has been allocated, the next meeting is imminent.
• Easington – A report was circulated (copy attached) Martin Armitage reminded the partnership of the significant difference between Easington and other areas e.g. 3 Provider Trusts are involved, that this was probably the last PG to get off the ground in the County and that the structure is probably a little different to the others. Leaders for all sub groups are now in place and the PCT has advertised for the post of Project Manager for Children.
• Durham & Chester Le Street – no report given.
• Wear Valley – no report given.

iii) Partnership Officers update

• Eva Alexandratou reported that the picture throughout the County is very positive, all planning groups are inclusive of partners, they have good direction form the CYPSP but are also responding to local needs. They all reflect the progress throughout the County. LPGs also are about making sure of influence with other local policies and raising the profile of young people and their involvement, which was not there years ago. An evaluation report on the ECM Road Shows and the November Conference was circulated.

4. ECM Implementation Team update: i) Outcomes Framework update, ii) Integrated Services Pathfinder, iii) Audit of Needs & Services, iv) Children's Fund, v) Local Preventative Strategy.

i) Outcomes Framework

• Kath Tansey reported that this document is one that all children and young people and their families can support. It has been informed by Change for Children and has tried to customise the national agenda for County Durham.
• The document is comprised of 2 sections: the first is the Overview and the second is broken down into the Durham 5.
• It has been presented to the LPGs and the task is for them to determine their own local priorities.
• It is also designed to fit with the Audit of Needs and Services and the Local Preventative Strategy. Please also note that a version control will appear in the footer of every document.
• The intention is to review the document as we move into a CYPSP strategic plan.
• DJ informed that the full document has been sent out with a letter to the Chairs of the LPGs, LSP and Chief Executives of the PCTs, the challenge is always allowing local needs to reflect national strategy.
• Progress will enable the production of the strategic plan and commissioning strategy by 2006.
• It was clarified that the LPGs would in future be commissioning agents and that the voluntary sector would need to receive information quickly and therefore need to make contact and raise their profile with the LPGs. DJ commented that Gateshead is back filling voluntary sector posts, which seems a good idea.

ii) Integrated Services Pathfinder

• Copies of 'Sure Start, Choice for Parents: the best start for children, 10 Year Child Care Strategy, Summary' were circulated. Frank Firth reported that this is starting to appear as an item on the planning group agendas. He felt that this is an opportunity to show case all the good work which is going on within the localities, and an opportunity to take these examples and spread good practice further.
• Meetings of local management groups need to be convened looking at how to disseminate effective practice.
• FF has sent out the 10-year strategy, which contains a lot of information underpinned by 5 key reforms e.g. proposals re maternity leave, working tax credits, & Children's Centres in all local communities by 2010. There is a lot to be achieved and the Integrated Pathfinder will be very important.

iii) Audit of Needs & Services
Lynne Gregory gave a presentation updating the meeting and clarifying the next steps as follows:

• Detail regarding what the audit will describe.
• The national & local drivers it will support.
• The audit framework structure.
• Key questions covered within it.
• Detail of 2 phases regarding the audit of services.
• Detail regarding the audit of need.
• Detail of the editorial teams including the core team and 5 teams covering the Durham 5 outcomes within each of which are 4 critical sets of questions to be answered.
• Overview of the audit project schedule and completion dates in relation to information being on the ECM website and the production of a paper copy proposed by April 2005.
• LG asked the partnership to note that information will have to be provided.
• The timescales for Health have changed but a national pilot carried out in Durham has helped the project.
• Project approach – the data used will be at county and district level for 2005 audit, more detail would be too great a volume. Analysis is already taking place.
• LG is aware that the voluntary sector is not represented, but the project can only move at a manageable pace.
• Regarding phase 2 of the audit of services (other services not delivered by SC & H or Education) LG informed that she would be staying after today's meeting to provide invitations and details of briefing sessions planned for February.
• Debbie commented that it is critical to capture the information that is outside the realms of the statutory services.
• Mark Weeding reminded the partnership of the 'One Voice' database.
• LG is to visit each LPG sometime over the next few months, as this is a difficult process to take into account everyone's expectations.

iv) Children's Fund

• Ann Beeton thanked the meeting for feedback regarding the Children's Fund Plan and informed that Patsy Fullen will be on long-term care leave.
• The plan has gone to Government North East and positive feedback has been received, a 3-year financial profile has been agreed.
• The plan has also gone to Chief Executives, the CF are seeking to have it signed off as soon as possible and will circulate it again after this.
• The CF is working its way around visiting the LSPs currently to put work into the main strategic direction of the county.
• A detailed report will be provided for the next meeting.

v) Local Preventative Strategy –

• Mark Gurney informed that a final version of the strategy would be circulated to the partnership as soon as possible, which will also be endorsed as soon as possible also.
• The revised Children In Need Procedures have also been circulated and comments etc requested. He pointed out that there have been significant changes as the current procedures date from 2000.
• The Common Assessment Framework was received from the DfES this morning.
  Interviews for the Project Management post will be taking place on 31 January 05.

5. Communities of Learning
Lindsay Smith gave a presentation (copy attached) on Communities of Learning which included the following aspects:

• How schools are working together.
• Key principles.
• What COLs are and their main aim of developing inclusive capacities.
• COLs terms of reference.
• Development to date.
• Strategic rationale.
• Summary.
• Action plans & areas identified.
• Audit of skills available.
• The balance between the LEA and schools has changed, the LEA no longer dictates to schools but works in partnership.
• There are some severe financial constraints but policy includes keeping more C & YP in county and closer to home.
• There is enormous power created by people working together.
• The suggested definition of inclusion is 'think neighbourhood'.
• The pace has quickened since last September, COLs are developing fast at differing levels throughout the county but they present a great opportunity for delivering the ECM agenda.

Discussion Points

• Liam Cairns asked if C & YP had contributed to the COL agenda including those with communication difficulties. LS clarified that initially development has been top down but there is realisation of the need to involve C & YP and parent/carers, and they are working on changing the thinking of Head Teachers.
• Lynne Gregory stated that she would welcome the opportunity to talk to C & Y P at a strategic level.
• John Rymaszewski fully supported LCs point regarding the inclusion of C & Y P especially those with communication problems.
• There is now an offer for IIC to get involved.
• Gail Hopper reported that there are developments within the area of LCs concerns as one of the areas of work to be developed within the Pathfinder for Disability is the speech & language therapy service.
• Carole Payne commented that the development of Local Planning Groups and Communities of Learning commenced independently and now we must examine how they can be brought together and make sure this is achieved.
• LG and JR informed that they will be visiting all LPGs; this could assist with developing linking agendas.
• MA reported that speech and language therapy has been identified in the local plan but that the danger is that separate groups talking about the same topic could end up responding differently.
• It was agreed that the Disability Pathfinder needs to get out to LPGs as soon as possible.
• LS also reported that independently a group of speech and language therapists are working on the development of the delivery of these services, he will let them know they are welcome to present at the CYPSP.
• DJ highlighted the need for free exchange of information between the County and the LPGs. Also that the voice of young people and dialogue with young people should be put at the centre. We need to constantly remember this at the early stage of all developments.

6. Learning Skills Council 14 – 19 Strategy & Learning Entitlement

• Peter Cradock circulated 2 leaflets 'Introducing the Learner entitlement for 14 – 19 year olds in County Durham' (red), and 'Introducing the 14 – 19 Strategy for Education & Training in County Durham 2004 – 2007' (orange).
• PC informed the meeting that a white paper is due out shortly regarding the government 10-year strategy in relation to the delivery of learning to young people.
• In the past billions have been spent on raising standards, currently the government is agonising over the Tomlinson Report.
• Durham is well on the way to getting its structure sorted, it is similar to Sure Start but is comprised of 2 big bodies, Schools & the Learning Skills Council. There are now 5 or 6 people in place accepted by both bodies and Connexions have also been involved, synergy will be achieved when people know the system.
• Durham is split into 4 areas: Derwentside, Mid Durham, Durham and South West Durham, each of the 4 areas have advisory groups and need to link with the Local Planning Groups. Each of the 4 also have a development officer and currently 3 champions have been informing and connecting with as many agencies as possible.
• Connectivity can always be improved and we need always to be reminded of the involvement of young people. In order to get learning entitlement working all children and young people must be included.
• Key Stage 4 has dominated nationally in the past now we have a pot of different possibilities and flexibilities for 14 year olds. The choice is becoming real; the aim is to make learning a choice.
• DJ commented that the main point is that we need to make firm and strong links and we need to think through the most effective way to achieve this.
• Janice Bray informed that work is underway currently trying to turn the red document into something that young people can understand, so far young people have agreed the wording and are now discussing the format.
• Liam Cairns emphasised that involving young people in presentation is not the same as involving young people in content.
• It was also pointed out that care needs to be taken with a discussion on choice in a statutory context.

7. Parenting Network Update

• Elaine Chandler, Parent Partnership Coordinator reported on the establishing of a countywide parenting network to be funded by the Family Learning project and the seminar, which was held in December 2004. See attached report 'Parenting seminar – 2nd December 2004, Feedback from Discussion & Questionnaires', which was overwhelmingly in favour of establishing a network with a clear focus and purpose.
• The core remit for the network is to: share information, share good practice, inform service development and delivery, and provide training opportunities.
• An e-forum has recently been set up to share information and promote good practice. This is already proving useful to the 100 network members already signed up.
• The original core group will continue to meet and will provide feedback to the CYPSP and the LPGs through Eva Alexandratou. The first full (termly) meeting will be 21 February 05.
• Anyone interested in joining the e-forum or attending the network meetings should contact June Davison, Family Learning Project Manager on 0191 370 6412.
• EA commented that this was also a gap which needed to be tackled and that there will be a link through LSPs and PGs.

8. AOB
i. Report on MALAP - A report was circulated on Durham's Multi-Agency Looked After Partnership, which seeks to highlight the needs of looked after children and place them on the agenda. MB requested approval from the partnership of a reporting mechanism at this stage. DJ commented that the partnership would be looking to the Chairs of the PGs to embed this within their structures.
ii. Agenda item requested for next meeting – Disability Pathfinder update.
ii. Date of next meeting 15 March 2005.