Agenda item

Children, Young People and Families Partnership Overview

Minutes:

The Committee received a report of the Corporate Director of Resources which provided an overview of the Children, Young People and Families Partnership (for copies see file of minutes).  The Chair welcomed the Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning and Deputy Chair of the Children, Young

People and Families Partnership Board, Sarah Burns who was in attendance to give Members an overview presentation.

 

The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning thanked the Chair and Members of the Committee and explained that her post was jointly appointed by the NHS and Durham County Council, and that she was responsible for commissioning health and care for children, adults, older people, and those with mental health conditions or learning disabilities.  She explained she worked very closely with the Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services as part of his Extended Management Team.

 

The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning explained nothing in County Durham was done in isolation with many children and families being in receipt of a multiple services and referred Members to the partnership arrangements in place and structure diagram.  She noted she was Deputy Chair, with the Corporate Director of Children and Young People, John Pearce being the Chair.  She noted that while the organisations involved had their own statutory responsibilities and governance, the partnership worked together to remove barriers and worked together where budgets were impacted upon to work best for children, young people, and their families.  She referred to the Children, Young

People and Families Partnership Board and links to the other wider partnership boards and noted the sub-groups included: Growing up in County Durham; Integration; Prevention and Early Help; Best Start in Life; and Supporting Young People into Adulthood (14-25).

 

The Committee noted the Board sat alongside the Acute Care Partnership Board, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Partnership Board and the Primary, Community and Social Care Partnership Board.  The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning noted the strategic priorities were looked at by each of the sub-groups and that in terms of ‘Growing up in County Durham’ progress included: rapid review on impacts of Covid-19 on Children and Young People informed work of group, the review found that Covid-19 was exacerbating and creating new inequalities; working across all priorities to provide a population health

management perspective; the Growing up in County Durham approach was using SEND as a pilot theme to utilise integrated data, understand service performance and 3/4/5-year trends; and statistical work of the group had been included in a regional bid for Children and Young People’s Wellbeing funding which was successful.

 

In relation to Integration, Members were asked to note progress included: to develop a vision for integration across services for children and young

People; engagement, co-production journey with children, young people and

Families; a 0-6 system redesign workshop; and development of multiagency respiratory pathway.  The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning explained that in relation to ‘Best Start if Life’, there was work relating to Health Impact Assessment on inequalities to inform CYPS, and on continuity of carer in respect of maternity care. 

 

In relation to ‘Early Help and Prevention’ progress included: a self-assessment to identify key priorities to progress had been completed; a dedicated early help telephone number; and additional priorities for unborn children and babies under one year old included in the action plan.  Members noted that for ‘Supporting Young People into Adulthood (14-25) progress included: development of 14-25 Navigation Team; supporting the work through TEWV, development of the community

mental health framework focusing on young people and transition; development of the Adolescent Safeguarding and Exploitation Team (ASET).

 

Councillor O Gunn left the meeting at 11.30am

 

The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning explained that cross-cutting issues included: Think Family; co-production, ensuring we listen to the voice of the child / family; empowerment; early intervention / signposting; support for people who need it the most; seamless; workforce; and resources.

 

The Committee were asked to note an example of service change, continuity of carer through maternity.  The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning explained that the current model of maternity care in County Durham was traditional with acute/community split and with around 4,500 deliveries a year and 6,000 community bookings.  She added that across the system there was recognition that number of health outcomes could be improved such as smoking at time of delivery and encouraging breastfeeding.  It was noted the aim was to support women and partners to have the experience that they want, with personalised care.  It was added that continuity of care meant women would have the same very small group of Midwives who care for them from booking in appointment, birth and the

Post-natal period, with and aim to improve outcomes for women and babies.  Members noted a pilot scheme in the Stanley area had shown positive impacts, including: an increased number of women that breastfeed, a reduction in babies with low birth weight: a reduction in the number of surgical interventions; and a significant reduction in the number of women who smoked while pregnant.  The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning explained that the continuity of carer for maternity would be followed by roll out across 18 teams in County Durham.  She noted that in terms of integration and partnerships, it may be possible to build upon the transition from Midwives to Health Visitors and to also possible to look at colocation and greater links with GPs.

 

The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning noted in relation to the Children and Young People’s Strategy 2022-2025 that the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2021-25 had been agreed by the Health and Wellbeing Board at its meeting in March 2021.  She noted it was supported by the County Durham Place Based Commissioning Plan 2020-25 which had all partners contributing and working together.  She reiterated as regards the five priority themes of Children, Young People and Families Partnership Board and noted alignment with the County Durham Vision 2035.  She noted that it would reflect existing performance management arrangements, however, with focus on how integration and partnership working could make a difference.  She concluded by explaining that the new strategy would be developed in the autumn, to be ready for consultation in the new year.

 

The Chair thanked the Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning and asked the Committee for their comments and questions.

 

 

Councillor R Charlton-Lainé noted her experience in relation to breastfeeding support and asked as regards out-of-hours provision and how that could be more joined up.  The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning noted it was a challenge and while there were a number of priorities, there was a finite amount of funding.  She added that in some areas the community and voluntary sector was able to provide support where services were not as broad and comprehensive as one would like.  She noted it was looking at creative solutions to try to help and she noted that those lived experiences were important and she would take away that information.  Councillor R Charlton-Lainé added that she recalled very good support offered by the Sure Start service, when it had been in place.

 

Councillor J Miller asked if the ASET Team was replicating the work undertaken in Newcastle and Operation Sanctuary or would work alongside it.  The Head of Children’s Social Care noted it was an integrated service with Police colleagues with a lot of integrated information sharing, noting of cross-border issues and acknowledging the need to sometimes work regionally and nationally.  She added that there were good relationships through Police colleagues with other forces across the country and while it was not replicating that specific project referred to, best practice nationally was being taken on board to make a local model to meet the needs of young people in County Durham.

 

Councillor C Varty noted the positive impact of social workers in County Durham and added she had worked with many wonderful social workers in various previous roles.  She asked as regards the frequency of visits by Midwives and Health Visitors and agreed with Councillor R Charlton-Lainé as regards the previous Sure Start support. 

 

Councillor C Hunt also asked as regards the continuity of carer for those opting for home birth if the woman then needed to attend hospital for delivery, and whether it would be the same.  The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning noted that was the case and she noted that had helped in demonstrating the improved outcomes.  She noted she would speak to Councillor C Varty as regards the issues she had referred to in terms of ante-natal period, though noting demands and being able to look at a situation with the person being at the centre of the process.

 

Councillor M Walton noted the shortage in terms of Health Visitors and asked if there were any overarching reasons in terms of recruitment.  The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning noted that there was not one single issue, with one factor being the amount of time to takes in terms of the training.  She added that there would be a look to see why the role was no longer seen as attractive, and also to look at in which ways other roles and professionals could help.  She noted it was an issue Health Education England was looking at in terms of attracting more people to the profession.  Councillor M Walton noted it may be beneficial to look what attracts and encourages people to consider other nursing specialties. 

The Joint Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning noted the work of colleagues from Public Health and added that there was also the issue of retention as well as recruitment.

 

Resolved:

 

That the report and presentation be noted.

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