Agenda item

The following representatives from LCSP will be attending for this item:-

Helen Anderson, LCSP Manager

Diane Butler, District Manager for Social Services and Vice Chair of the  Partnership Board

Sharon Clarke,  Locality Clinical Co-coordinator

(1)               The Sub Committee received a detailed report which covered the progress made since the LCSP was established in September 2008 with feedback from partners helping to further define the focus of shared areas of activity to achieve the targets in the Kent CYPP as well as addressing local issues.

(2)               Mrs Anderson, Local Children’s Services Manager, gave a brief introduction highlighting key points detailed in the report which included the following:-

(3)               There were 12,500 children and young people in the Ashford Rural area, 70% of which lived in the rural area.  Ashford Rural was the 5^th least deprived area in Kent but had pockets of deprivations.

(4)               Mrs Anderson felt that the shared attendance policy throughout the Ashford area detailed on page 102 of the report had a great impact. 

(5)               In recognising that there was a need to support primary to secondary education a social worker assistant was appointed to work with families to see children through Year 6 and Year 7.

(6)               Both Partnerships for Ashford were working well together.

(7)               Transport was an issue in Ashford Rural area.

(8)               There was a need to continue learning and consulting between the Partnerships and the Youth Service about young people.  There was also an aim to develop work between the Teenage Youth Forum Group.

(9)               Mrs Anderson advised that the restructuring of the Children’s Centres within the Ashford area had begun and that work was still needed to be undertaken to develop outreach.

(10)          Mrs Anderson advised that a pilot had been launched across Ashford named “Active Movement”, a multi-agency and parent centred programme providing fully integrated working to share knowledge about what makes well balanced children. 

(11)          Mrs Butler explained that her role as District Manager for Social Services was to manage risk which covered the issue of families in crisis which she stressed could not be watered down.  There were logistical problems in covering this and a need for other solutions, preventative measures.  A post was to be funded in light of the rise of children on the Child Protection Plan from 67 to 97.  Mrs Anderson emphasised the impact and effect of not having social workers to deal with these increases.  She asked that the Sub Committee be mindful of the invisible children; those not in school and those that did not access Children’s Centres.  The Chairman felt that this was where the role of the Health visitor could play a part. 

(12)          Mrs Clark advised that the Health visitors were an expensive service but very necessary but unless the net was cast wide it would not be possible to catch the problems down the line.  She felt that Children’s Centres were marvellous and well signposted although there were people who would not use those facilities which was the real challenge.  Health visitors still carried out five visits in a child’s first three years.

(13)          In response to questions by Mr Northey, Mrs Butler advised that officers had been discussing how to give children a feeling a security while allowing them to take risks.  They had been looking at examples from around the world and had chosen “Active Movement” from New Zealand to form a pilot. 

(14)          The Reverend Genders gave details of the “Good Childhood” Conference that he felt may be of interest to Members of the Sub Committee due to be held in June 2009. 

(15)          RESOLVED that the comments made by Members and the report be noted.