Agenda item

The Panel is requested to review the draft Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) 2018-2021, to consider how best members can support the delivery of the plan and to support and promote the outcomes and priorities service to children, young people and their families across Bath and North East Somerset.

The Strategic Commissioning Officer introduced this report to the Panel. She explained that the report is drafted on behalf of the Children and Young People’s (CYP) Sub-group of the Health and Wellbeing Board. She said that the sub-group replaced the previous Children Trust Board and reports directly to the Health and Wellbeing Board on delivery against the plan.

She added that the sub-group takes the strategic lead in developing a new local Children and Young People’s Plan 2018-2021 and ensuring that the priorities identified in the existing Children and Young People’s Plan 2014- 2017 (now extended to cover 2017-2018) are met.

She stated that the sub-group are working on a delivery plan with an intention to review the Plan on an annual basis.

Councillor Liz Hardman commented whether the size of the new plan reflected the reality of the Council no longer being able to take the lead in the provision of services. She asked if the Children and Young People’s Voluntary and Community Sector Workforce were essentially volunteers.

The Strategic Commissioning Officer replied that this was the case and that alongside that there was a robust CYP network of (around 175) organisations working with Children and Young People, some of whom were existing commissioned services. She added that elements of training and support are still available through the Council.

The Chair asked how the Plan will be monitored.

The Strategic Commissioning Officer replied that it is reviewed annually and the reviews are published on the website. A six monthly report is also given to the Health & Wellbeing Board in June and December.

The Strategic Director for People & Communities commented that Panel members could be invited to the Board meeting when this matter is next considered.  He also suggested that the Panel be sent the minutes of the Board meeting from 30th January 2018 when this matter was also discussed.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if the attachment awareness training was ongoing.

The Strategic Commissioning Officer replied that it was and that funding children aged 2-5 years with complex emotional/behavioural needs were supported through Theraplay interventions.

The Divisional Director for Safeguarding & Social Care added that the Virtual School Headteacher was an Attachment Champion.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien asked if there were enough staff with appropriate training to meet additional needs.

The Strategic Commissioning Officer replied that Off The Record support Young People with SEN through its advocacy service. The SEND Partnership Service also offers support to children and their families. She added that in terms of training, to support children and young people with SEND this is being reviewed by the SEND team for 2018/2019.

Councillor Lisa O’Brien commented that she was concerned that bullying and mental health issues of 5, 6 and 7 year olds were being recognised.

The Strategic Commissioning Officer replied that a great deal of positive work was carried out on these issues by the Equalities Teams within schools. She added that their work is celebrated at the Primary / Secondary Parliament Days.

Councillor Peter Turner asked if the Council had signed up to the UN Children’s Charter.

The Strategic Commissioning Officer replied that the Council signed up to the Charter in 2000. She suggested that Hannah Powell, the new MYP for B&NES attend either the May or July meeting of the Panel to provide feedback on the Secondary Parliament Day.

She advised the Panel that the Primary Parliament was due to take place on June 13^th.

The Panel RESOLVED to:

i)  Support the delivery of the plan and to support and promote the outcomes and priorities of the service to children, young people and their families across Bath and North East Somerset.

ii)  Note that the final Children and Young People’s Plan (which will include a year 1 delivery plan) will be signed off by both the Bath and North East Somerset Health and Wellbeing Board and the Bath and North East Somerset LSCB in June 2018.

iii)  Note the changed approach to this CYPP, wherein we are moving towards a greater focus on Outcome Based Accountability with absolute focus on the key priority areas, rather than ‘business as usual’ that all agencies are asked to prioritize so as to reduce inequalities across Bath and North East Somerset.