Agenda and minutes

The Director of Children’s Services welcomed everyone to the Board meeting and thanked them for their attendance.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Jennifer Connolly, Josie Kershaw, Rebecca Key, Richard Mortimer, Stephen Nyakatawa, Anita Rolfe, Tony Ryan, Joanne Whittingham and Claire Woodford.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 30 January 2020 were approved as a correct record.

Members were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No interests were declared.

To consider the report of the Service Director Strategy and Commissioning.

This report provides an overview of some of the work done to date and next steps and also introduces the Borough Plan which is one of the outcomes of the One Stockport movement.

The Board is recommended to: - 

·         comment on the work so far and suggested next steps within the One Stockport movement

·         comment on the draft vision and values that are set out on the One Stockport prospectus

·         discuss the development of the Borough plan and make recommendations on emerging priorities

Officer contact: Kathryn Rees, 07989208640, kathryn.rees@stockport.gov.uk   

Kathryn Rees, Stockport Council, submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an overview to the Board on some of the work done to date and next steps and also introduced the Borough Plan which was one of the outcomes of the One Stockport movement.

The Board thanked Kathryn for the update and for the information shared and complemented the work that had been done to date and the levels of engagement that had taken place with the community.

The Board requested a copy of the video and presentation.

RESOLVED – (1) That the update be noted.

(2) That the video and presentation relating to the report be shared with the Board.

To consider the report of the Strategy and Performance Manager.

The Strategy: -

·         sets out the principles, ways of working and priorities which will enable us to achieve our vision for children, young people and families in Stockport.

·         ensures that all partners and agencies who help, support and educate children and families to achieve their ambitions are clear about their contribution.

·         is aligned with and supports the developing One Stockport Borough Plan which sits within our wider One Stockport movement.

Officer contact: Gaynor Ward, 0161 474 3186, gaynor.ward@stockport.gov.uk  

The Strategy and Performance Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the principles, ways of working and priorities which would enable the vision to be achieved for children, young people and families in Stockport. It also ensured that all partners and agencies who help, support and educate children and families to achieve their ambitions were clear about their contributions.

Nuala O’Rourke (Head of Service, Safeguarding and Learning) highlighted the following: -

·         The Stockport Picture being one of the most polarised boroughs nationally, ranging from very affluent areas to the south and east of the borough to significantly deprived areas in the north and centre.

·         Impact of Covid-19 which has reinforced inequalities with many children living in some of the communities relating to access to technology, few opportunities to learn at home, lack of safe spaces to play and lack of food.

·         Stockport would be committed to co-production in all of the work and has agreed a co-production charter.

·         The approach would be based upon innovative practice, integrated services, inclusive services and early intervention.

·         The priorities for 2020-2023 would be delivered through delivery plans which would set out the actions and timescales accordingly.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         It was commented that the Children’s Mental Health Transformation Plan should be included in the plan as well.

·         There should be a clear focus on inclusion including a number of projects that are ongoing to enable people with disabilities.

It was noted that the presentation was welcomed including the holistic approach that captured all the key points.

RESOLVED – That the report and presentation be noted.

To consider the report of the Strategy and Performance Manager.

The strategy sets out the values, principles, ways of working and priorities which will enable us to achieve our vision for children, young people and families in Stockport. 

Officer contact: Gaynor Ward, 0161 474 3186, gaynor.ward@stockport.gov.uk    

The Strategy and Performance Manager submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the vision, the ambition and the inclusion of the strategy.

Maura Appleby (Principal Lead Integrated Services, Health) and Heidi Shaw (Principal Lead Integrated Services, Education & Inclusion) highlighted the following: -

·         The outcomes for the children and young people

·         The Stockport picture

·         The Impact of Covid-19

·         The ‘Early’ help including what it is  and the current system

·         The purpose of the Early Help Strategy 2020-2023

The Board welcomed the report and thanked Mayra Appleby and Heidi Shaw for their attendance.

RESOLVED – That the report and presentation be noted.

To consider a report of the Director for Children’s Services. 

This report sets outs the achievements against last year’s plan and outlines the priorities, opportunities and challenges for the coming year. 

The Board is recommended to consider and comment on the plan.

Officer contact: Jacqui Belfield-Smith, Service Lead, Youth Justice & Targeted Youth Support at jacqui.smith@stockport.gov.uk  (0161 474 4789).

The Director for Children’s Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the achievements against last year’s plan and outlining the priorities, opportunities and challenges for the coming year.

Jacqui Belfield-Smith (Service Lead, Youth Justice & Targeted Youth Support) highlighted the following: -

·         The vision for Stockport to be the best place for children to grow up happily, healthily, with confidence, ambition and surrounded by love, care and kindness.

·         The impact of Covid-19 and the ‘Stockport Family’ integration.

·         The Youth Offending Service Partnership Board and the senior partners from key agencies.

·         The resources and value for money

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         It was noted that the synergies between youth crime and youth justice sits with ‘Early Help’ and both strategies will make a difference.

·         Clarification was sought regarding the Serious Crime Strategy and its link to the Greater Manchester Strategy. In response, it was noted that the youth violence reduction funding was being made available and devolved through community partnerships and that both strategies are linked.

The Board welcomed the report and thanked Jacqui Belfield-Smith for her attendance.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Joint Commissioning Manager, Children and Young People’s Mental Health.

This Plan sets out a national vision for improving children and young people’s mental health.

The Board is recommended to consider and comment on the plan. 

Officer contact: Duncan Weldrake, 07717355515, d.weldrake@nhs.net

The Joint Commissioning Manager, Children and Young People’s Mental Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the national vision for improving children and young people’s mental health.

Duncan Weldrake (Joint Commissioning Manager) highlighted the following: -

·         The ‘Future in Mind’ was published by the Department of Health and NHSE England in 2015 setting out a vision for improving children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

·         There are a number of priorities including: -

o   promoting resilience, prevention and early intervention

o   improving access to effective support

o   care for the most vulnerable

o   eating disorders

o   accountability and transparency

·         The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

·         Joint commissioning of mental health services.

·         The Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Partnership have already signed off the Plan.

·         The Greater Manchester programmes that have been developed.

·         The voice of the parents and young people.

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         It was commented that the aim of the ‘single point of access’ was to do more to help emotional and wellbeing and to promote “I thrive approach”.

·         Members stated that it was increasing the need for ‘early help’ and there was a need to redirect resources accordingly due to the increasing challenges.

·         It was stated that the joint working and partnership arrangements were working well and that should continue.

·         It was noted that even with the Covid-19 pandemic the Plan has taken a real positive journey and a lot of progress has been made in a short time in comparison to two or three years ago.

The Board welcomed the report and thanked Duncan Weldrake for his attendance.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Head of Educational Psychology Service.

This Plan sets out a national vision for improving children and young people’s mental health.

The Board is asked to note the report. 

Officer contact: Dr Martin Powell, 0161 474 3870, martin.powell@stockport.gov.uk

The Head of Educational Psychology Service submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out the national programme to support schools with the wellbeing of pupils, families and staff.

Martin Powell (Head of Educational Psychology Service) highlighted the following: -

·         National expectations for training content

·         Local adaptations to provide local context demographics and signposting information

·         Delivery of training

·         Local spending plans

·         The Stockport timetable

·         Local Action Plan

The following comments were made/issues raised: -

·         Members commented that it was a timely initiative for schools who have been asking for this type of initiative for over two years.

·         Clarification was sought regarding children who were home educated. In response, it was noted that the training would be available for those being home educated as well.

·         Members enquired about the training being available to other members of staff. In response, it was stated that the training would be available to other members of staff including school nurses.

The Board welcomed the report and thanked Martin Powell for his attendance.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the Forward Plan of agenda items for future meetings of the Stockport Family Partnership Board.

The Board is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Charles Yankiah, 0161 474 3206, charles.yankiah@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Strategic Head of Service & Monitoring Officer (Legal & Democratic Governance) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) setting out planned agenda items for the Stockport Family Partnership Board’s next meeting.    

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.  

(2) That the following reports be included on the Forward Plan for the next meeting: -

·         Startwell Strategy – Maura Appleby

·         Corporate Parenting Strategy – Deborah Woodcock

·         Safeguarding Partnership Update – Gill Frame

·         Deep Dive – SEND Priorities – Nuala O’Rourke