Agenda and minutes

Janette Fullwood, Head of Children, Young People and Families, NHS East Berkshire CCG presented an update to the Board on the Future in Mind Transformation Plan.

The Future in Mind document had been published in 2015 by NHS England, and the CCG had developed a local Transformation Plan arising from this which was due for further review to clarify the strategic priorities.

Since the original document had been published, additional support services had been commissioned to support tier 2 anxiety and depression and these had been linked to Early Help in Slough and Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.  Janette emphasised the importance of linking Future in Mind planning with Early Help activities in Bracknell Forest. Public Health colleagues had worked with schools to support work in respect of emotional well being and the Board recognised the importance of schools involvement within the transformation work presented.  The Board requested assurance that local schools were engaged with the process that had been outlined (Action: Janette Fullwood to consider school representation in the revised membership of the FIM sub group))

Challenges which had arisen since the publication of Futures in Mind included the lack of a system-wide approach, and a lack of clarity for young people about support available and how to access it. Janette reminded the Board that 57% of referrals to Specialist CAMHS in Bracknell Forest were inappropriate referrals, and work was ongoing to understand the reason behind this.

The Local Transformation Plan was being reworked to include four key outcomes with key performance indicators, which had been co-produced with young people. It was hoped that there could be multi-agency ownership and delivery of the plan.

CCG colleagues had met with the Directors of Children’s Services and Directors of Public Health across East Berkshire to inform the draft priorities, alongside current performance and population statistics.

In response to questions, the following points were noted:

• It was suggested that while the current system was data rich across partners, the system may be intelligence poor in its usage of the data available.
• There were clear opportunities to strengthen the Family Safeguarding Model to link with Futures in Mind.
• It was agreed that future planning was important to identify needs as they became evident through data.
• The Board commented on the importance of any development needing to be evidence based and carefully consider the sufficiency of the Early Help offer within the borough and for  partners to work collaborately to ensure its effectiveness.
• The Board recognised the need to change from distinct tiers of care to a seamless connection between care services.
• The importance of schools provision to the Future in Mind plan was recognised.
• The Chair noted the need to increase the range and type of tier 2 provision to reduce referrals to Tier 3 and to ensure there are clear step down processes from Tier 3.

It was noted that the CCG had agreed not to submit a plan for Wave 1 of the trailblazer programme, and would consider submitting for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Thom Wilson , Assistant Director: Commissioning presented an update on the Local Authority’s Children’s Services Transformation programme

Key area of update included:

• The new Children, Young People and Learning vision, ‘One Child’.
• The Family Safeguarding Model had been fully implemented with motivational interviewing and a new workbook system embedded. Thom explained that the decrease in Child Protection numbers were not necessarily attributed to the Family Safeguarding Model, but that a decrease had been seen across Child Protection and court proceedings in Bracknell Forest.
• The Edge of Care model had been in place since July 2018 to identify children and young people at risk of entering the care system. Early analysis of the pilot had suggested mixed  success, and the trial period had been extended in order to build on the successful elements of the work to date.A report on the final evaluation of the pilot will be shared with the LSCB (Action: Thom Wilson)
• Family placements for children looked after had been a priority to reduce the number in residential care where possible.
• The Early Help model had been agreed, and interviews for the new structure were taking place.
• There had been a significant reduction in the number of cases transferring from MASH to Children’s Social Care under the new management of the MASH. There had been an increase in the number of referrals from the Front Door to Early Help.
• School Support Services were being reviewed to establish 42 Service Level Agreements between the Council and Schools, which could be bought through SLA Online.
• Education Improvement work was having an impact on performance figures in the borough. Details of this work will be considered by the LSCB when it receives the next Safeguarding in Education report. (Action: Rachel Morgan)

The Board recognised the significant amount of work ongoing on the Transformation Programmes. It was noted that membership of groups such as Futures in Mind would be reviewed across the directorate to ensure the right representation was maintained.

The Board noted the importance of having strong links with the work being conducted to develop commissioning arrangements within the local authority and would welcome Thom become a member of the LSCB. (Action:  Alison Burnell)

Debbie Hartrick presented the CCG’s Annual Safeguarding Report for 2017-18.

The East Berkshire conference against Violence and Exploitation feedback had demonstrated that the conference had influenced partners’ practice.

GP case conference reporting had improved over the year following work by Dr Katie Caird. GPs had also grown more accustomed to an East Berkshire approach and working more centrally.

The CCG had reviewed the East Berkshire FGM multi-agency pathway and there was a community event in Slough.

The CCG had planned a Learning Disability Mortality review, which included a conference on end of life on 18 October 2018.

There had been more adult reviews than for children for the third consecutive year. It was thought that this was due to awareness of adult abuse increasing.

In response to questions, the following comments were noted:

• The Board noted the importance of keeping partners up to date with the changing nature of Bracknell Forest.
• The Board recognised the importance of sharing information across adults and children’s professionals, particularly regarding risks arising from serious case reviews and homicide reviews.
• Debbie agreed to send details of the Learning Disability conference to all partners.

• The Board noted the importance of engaging health economy colleagues such as dentists and pharmacists in safeguarding practices. Pharmacists had reported that they undertook online safeguarding training, and that there was no requirement to undertake further training. The Board agreed to follow this up with NHS England and to seek assurance as to the sufficiency and quality of safeguarding training in this area.  (Action: Alex Walters)

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2018 were approved as a correct record.

Arising from the minutes, the following updates were noted:

• Domestic Abuse triage information was now being shared with Early Years providers.
• The membership of the Future in Mind was being addressed.
• CAMHS had agreed to supply a pan-Berkshire dataset to issue to all LSCBs. It was suggested that comparative datasets may also be useful.
• The East Berks CCG structure chart would be shared with all partners. (Action: Lizzie Rich)
• The BHFT inspection report had not yet been published, and would be shared when available. (Action: Lucy Cooke)
• Keith Grainger had asked all headteachers to supply feedback on Operation Encompass, and this feedback would be shared with both TVP and the LSCB. (Action: Keith Grainger)

• HMIC had audited the Police’s crime recording which had shown that incidences involving children  were not being correctly recorded as  crimes including sexual offences. Amending this process had skewed the dataset to suggest an increase in children’s crimes. A more comprehensive analysis of the data is planned and will be shared with the LSCB (Action:  Christina Berenger). Christina clarified that a member of her team would attend future Board meetings in addition to the current arrangements involving attendance by the LPA Commander.
• The Board noted that the Local Authority’s Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel had received the Children Missing Annual Report, which the Board had not yet seen. This was requested to come to the Board after analysis at the CSE and Missing Children Strategic Sub Group. (Action: Phil Cook/Sonia Johnson)
• It was clarified that BHFT’s sexual health services were represented at the CSE and Missing Children Strategic Sub-group by the BHFT Safeguarding Team. The Sexual Health team would attend when any specific issues required their attention and any concerns / intelligence would be shared with the sub group. Following discussion on the significance of this function, it was agreed this would be reviewed (Action:  Lucy Cooke)
• It was felt that the voice of CAMHS had not been heard at the CSE and Missing Children Strategic subgroup, and Lucy Cooke agreed to look into this representation. (Action: Lucy Cooke)
• It was agreed that the LSCB Young People’s Consultation would be shared with the Future in Mind group for information. (Action: Alison Burnell)
• A new LSCB sub-group had been established to address Online Safety, and the membership and chairing arrangements were being established. The action plan had been developed and would be considered by the new sub-group.

Alex Walters informed the Board that Nikki Edwards had been appointed Executive Director: People at the Local Authority, covering both adult and children’s services. Gill Vickers was now the Interim Executive Director: Enabling.

It was noted that a restructure for Heads of Service in the Council had been planned but was delayed to the new year.  The local authority structure chart was requested to be distributed to the Board. (Action: LSCB team)

Lucy Cooke informed the Board of structural changes in BHFT’s children’s services to reflect a ‘phases of life’ structure, divided into ages 0-5 and 5-18. The new structure was reported to be working well. The CAMHS Tier 4 unit now shared a manager with the Rapid Response team. The Board welcomed the positive changes

Keith Grainger informed the Board that the new all-through school, King’s Academy, in Binfield had opened to Year 7 this year and would open its first primary phase next year.

Phil Cook informed the Board that Bracknell and Wokingham College had become part of Activate Learning, and as such Campbell Christie was no longer the principal. The college had reassured partners that they would see no obvious changes in provision.

DCI Christina Berenger reported that Andy Cranridge had taken over from Sarah Grahame as Deputy Commander for the Bracknell and Wokingham LPA.

Christina also informed the Board that Thames Valley Police were undergoing an effectiveness and efficiency programme to realise savings, although the same service would be delivered. A Missing and Child Exploitation Hub was being established, to work across remote locations from a central virtual location.

The Board requested a structure chart from Thames Valley Police. (Action: Christina Berenger)

Jonathan Picken reported that developments were ongoing regarding the Neglect strategy which had been agreed by the Board.

Jonathan reported that the membership and structure of the LSCB Forum was being evaluated. Partners were encouraged to nominate deputies to attend the Forum in order to broaden the LSCB’s network.

Jonathan reported that arising from the Board’s agreement from the Training Needs Analysis, as agreed Philip Bell would be employed by the Board on a temporary basis from 17 September to develop the LSCB training programme.

Cllr Barnard reported that the Council had agreed to undertake a feasibility study into providing a youth club at the old comedy club space under Braccan Walk car park.

Jennie Green reported that this would be her last meeting, and the Board thanked Jennie for all her work and contribution to the LSCB.

The Board received and noted the Challenge Log for 2017-18 and 2018-19.

The following updates to the Challenge Log were noted:

·         An audit of excluded primary pupils had been carried out by the LISG and the Local Authority informed.

·         Managing Allegations and the LADO function remained a part of LSCB training. Referrals to the LADO from Health colleagues had increased, which suggested that this training had had an impact.

·         The multi-agency training provision would be followed up, as details were required for the LSCB budget. (Action: Alex Walters)

·         The policy for CCTV in community centres had been rewritten to capture learning, and training would be delivered to community centre staff.

·         The Board agreed to add a challenge around assurance of pharmacist and dentist’s safeguarding training and arrangements.

The Board noted the Implications of New Guidance document from the pan-Berkshire LSCB Business Managers.

The Board was reminded that by September 2019, new local arrangements agreed by the three statutory partners –the LA, CCG and TVP were required to be in place to replace LSCBs, and Serious Case Reviews would no be commissioned by LSCBs.

New local arrangements were required to be published by the statutory partners in each area by June 2019, and implemented by September 2019.

In Bracknell Forest, a meeting would be held with statutory partners initiated by the Chief Executive of the Local Authority to explore options and recommendations would be shared at a future meeting of the Board. (Action: Alex Walters)

The newly-formed Berkshire West LSCB had been named as an Early Adopter of new processes by the Department for Education, and it was hoped that learning could be taken from this process and inform the local discussion and the ongoing pan-Berkshire arrangements.

Jonathan Picken presented the FGM Next Steps document.

The responsibility for FGM leadership in the Local Authority would with sit within Children’s Social Care managed by Lisa Tingle , Team Manager .This function would then report to the LSCB in the usual way.

In response to questions, the following points were noted:

• It was noted that Milton Keynes had effective FGM processes in Thames Valley.
• Slough had adopted a community led focus on prevention of FGM to address community issues, which had been successful. This work was led by the FGM and Domestic Abuse lead in the Local Authority.
• The Board noted concerns about the rise in teenage girls changing their bodies for cosmetic reasons, and the potential links to FGM.
• It was noted that originally East Berks CCG had responsibility for FGM, but this had been reallocated to the Local Authority following the statutory responsibility framework.

The LSCB requested that the recommendations outlined in the report be shared with the local authority (Action: Jonathan Picken)

This item was deferred to the next meeting.

Karen Frost presented the Early Help Annual Report 2017/18 on behalf of Debbie Greatrex.

Levels of attendance at the Early Help Hub had increased, and schools had engaged successfully. The number of CAF reviews had increased, which was positive however it was noted that any further increase may challenge capacity.

Following the introduction of the MASH, there had been more CAFs going to the MASH than to the Hub.

Pop up parenting programme had been established to address parenting concerns before they became problematic. Parents could turn up to a Pop Up Parenting session to discuss issues with the Family Intervention Team and Youth Workers. Professionals could refer a case if necessary.

The number of cases step down had increased significantly from social care to the Hub, and the number of step ups had reduced. The re-referral rate was being monitored.

The Hub had seen an increase in teenagers with specific and complex needs, a high proportion of which also had SEN. The Board queried whether there was data on the point at which SEN was formally diagnosed in each case to give further insight.

Arising from the discussion on the report, , the following comments were noted:

• The LSCB suggested that there may be multi-agency issues arising from the Early Help, SEN and Disability audits.
• Feedback from parents on Edge of Care process had been good. Collaborative working between the MASH and Early Help had been a success. The Board noted the substantial changes being considered in respect of local authority early help services and looked forward to further updates and a revised Early Help strategy as part of transformation project reporting. (Action: Karen Frost)

Karen Frost informed that operational work to support young carers was being done and the CAF was being used by schools to identify children, but due to staff shortages progress had been slow on developing the strategy.

Further updates on the development of the strategy would be shared with the LSCB (Action: Karen Frost)

Alex Walters presented the Learning and Improvement Sub-group 6 monthly update.

The main updates from the sub-group were:

• The learning review for Child D had produced good multi-agency engagement and 25 single agency recommendations. The learning review had resulted in robust discussion and challenge and identified opportunities for improvement which would be shared with practitioners at an event in the autumn and progress would continue to be monitored. Learning from the case review would be produced as a leaflet to publish by the LSCB and circulate to partners.
• Safe sleeping arrangements had been raised as an issue from the learning review, and safe sleeping advice was being addressed regionally led by the CCG with funding from NHS E.
• In addition a number of single agency audits and reports continue to be received and considered by the sub-group.
• The draft scope for the LSCB Early Help/step up/down audit was agreed.
• The sub-group had considered a useful report on the analysis of the increase in the number of child deaths in Bracknell Forest which evidenced there were no significant trends arising from the data.

The LSCB Annual Report 2017/18 was deferred, and partners were asked to comment on the electronic version of the document which would be circulated. (Action: Jonathan Picken)

23 November 2018

23 November 2018

The Suicide Prevention Leaflet was noted.

The Contest Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Extremism Strategies and Summary Article was noted.

The Board noted the other Partnership Minutes from:

• Children and Young People’s Partnership Board – 12 July 2018
• BF and RBWM Adults Safeguarding Board – 21 June 2018
• Corporate Parenting Advisory Panel – 6 July 2018