Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed members to the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2011 were agreed as a correct record.

An opportunity for Forum members to participate in and contribute to:

• Developing outcomes for the Early Intervention Strategy

Kate Williams, Interface Associates UK, gave a presentation and led a workshop on Prevention and Early Intervention.

Kate would liaise with members of the Children and Young People’s Partnership over the next month in relation to early intervention. Early intervention encompassed support to families to reduce risk, working with the localism agenda, focus on strengths rather than weaknesses in families, disengaging families with costly services and re-engaging them with less costly services.

The key themes involved the ownership and responsibility in the workforce, assessment, availability of services and making the best use of resources, thresholds and cost benefits, measurable outcomes, co-operation and joint working.

Partnership members considered what currently works well, what could work better, what barriers to success could be identified and what solutions would make success possible.

Members considered making better use of data, using data to predict and plan, targeting, voluntary sector support, pre-birth activities and opportunities, the nature of high cost families, solution based approach, cultures within different agencies and professions, professional differences, improving joint working, stigmatisation, balance and forward planning.

·         Inspection Outcomes

An update on recent Inspection outcomes

- Fostering

- Unannounced Inspection

- Adult and Community Learning

- Youth Offending Service

·         Inspection Preparation

A verbal update on preparation for announced inspection of safeguarding and looked after children.

The Partnership were advised on the outcomes of inspections in relation to:

• Fostering
• Unannounced Inspection
• Adult and Community Learning
• Youth Offending Service

A series of reports were given on the outcome of these inspections which had taken place during the year to date. Outcomes of the inspections were largely positive and areas for development noted with actions in place to address them.

Sandra Davies, Head of Performance and Governance for Bracknell Forest, gave an update on preparation for the announced inspection of safeguarding and looked after children, and there would be ten days notice of this inspection. Much work had been undertaken already to prepare for the inspection, and partners were reminded to ensure they considered the way in which they presented evidence and information of good practice, and that this should be underpinning all that we do. Everyone was responsible for taking information and initiatives back to their own areas and showing work being undertaken in practice and needs being met.

Alex Walters was the new Independent Chair for the LSCB. The production of a newsletter for the Children and Young People’s Partnership was underway and the first newsletter would be circulated by the end of the month. 

A ten day action plan would be drafted to ensure there was a planned approach once the inspection was announced.

Members should forward any questions to Sandra Davies.

(Action: All)

An opportunity for Forum members to participate in and contribute to:

• Developing our approach and ensuring continued progress in relation to teenage pregnancy and sexual health.

Dr Angela Snowling, Assistant Director of Public Health, NHS Berkshire East PCT, gave a presentation on Teenage Pregnancy and Sexual Health.

The Sexual Health and Teenage Pregnancy Strategy should be part of joint planning and working. Key themes included targeting vulnerable groups which often had strong links with deprivation. Important work needed to be undertaken in relation to effective interventions for teenage pregnancy. Risk factors regarding young mothers related to those under 20 years of age.

The Royal Berkshire Hospital collected data using the Cardiff system and it was hoped that Frimley hospital would use the same system. Dr Malik of Sandhurst Practice was the lead GP for Gynaecology for the Bracknell Forest GP Consortia.

Paul Crawte, Youth Service Manager, gave an update in respect of Youth Services. Each Youth Centre was run by a qualified youth worker. The appropriateness of intervention was assessed and targeted provision was available such as sexual health clinics and free sessions at schools and youth centres, and services at College Hall and Connexions.

Judy, a youth worker, had developed a team to deal with sexual health after the loss of the Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator post. The team offered one-to-one support and there would be a two day training course in October run by Judy for professionals. A young mums group would be based at The Zone in Great Hollands.

Any views on the Sexual Health and Teenage Pregnancy Strategy should be forwarded to Dr Angela Snowling by the end of October 2011 for the finalisation of the JSNA.

It was agreed that the next Forum meeting in November would begin with some discussion on the Sexual Health and Teenage Pregnancy Strategy to continue the work of this meeting.

(Action: All)

Thursday 24 November 2011, 3pm – 5pm, Newbury Room, Easthampstead Park Education Centre

Thursday 24 November 2011, 3pm – 5pm, Newbury Room, Easthampstead Park Education Centre.

Agenda items for the next meeting should be forwarded to Sandra Davies.

(Action: All)