Promote a culture of professional accountability for delivery and outcomes
The Milton Keynes Children and Families Partnership 24 May 2011
Ensure child and family centred service delivery
09:00-11.30 Conference Suite, Level 3, Acorn House 381 Midsummer Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes
Facilitate the efficient use of resources
Minutes Clerk to the meeting: Sheila Cochrane Present:
Michael Bracey, Councillor Andrew Dransfield, Naomi Eisenstadt, Amanda Farr, Alastair Gibbons, Louise Hall, Nicholas Hicks, Lucy Hubber (part), Nick Jackman, David Livermore, Jacqui McGrath, Julie Mills, Linda Pickering, Jane Reed, Will Spurgeon (part), Gail Tolley (chair), Simon Viccars, Jill Wilkinson.
Apologies:
Jim Bailey, Lynda Bull, Ruth Stone, Nikki Ross, Kilvinder Vigurs, Councillor Norman Miles.
Absent:
Elaine Coleridge Smith.
1
Welcome, introductions and apologies
1.1
Gail Tolley welcomed members to the first meeting of the Milton Keynes Children and Families Partnership. Apologies were noted as above.
2
Annual review of Area Based Effective Support
2.1
Alastair Gibbons provided the background to the original Effective Support document. He explained that there are three Common Assessment Framework (CAF) panels in various locations in Milton Keynes; the CAF training programme is being delivered by Milton Keynes Safeguarding Children’s Board (MKSCB). This infrastructure has been in place for a year.
2.2
Alastair Gibbons then gave an overview of the annual report, highlighting in particular the increase in the total number of CAFs being completed. Initial analysis of the CAF data (page 3 of the annual report) showed that the emerging problems are behaviour and parenting. He also explained that the introduction of the new CAF database will lead to better reporting of activity and unmet need.
2.3
The partnership was also given a brief summary of a project in which Milton Keynes is involved together with three other local authorities and Loughborough University, the project is a cost benefit analysis of the use of CAF. So far results indicate that the two London authorities using an eCAF system are more effective than those authorities using the paper based systems.
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2.4
Information for 2009-10 which had been voluntarily shared between authorities in the south east showed that there were 0.36 CAFs/100 children and young people under 19. The rate in Milton Keynes in 2009-10 was 0.18, and in 2010-11 the rate increased to 0.6. Last year only Brighton and Reading were carrying out significantly more CAFs per child. However the London boroughs of Camden and Tower Hamlets are carrying out approximately 2,200 and 1,500 CAFs per year respectively on smaller populations, this is an example of what can be achieved if CAF is the main tool for working with families below the threshold for specialist services.
2.5
Finally Alastair Gibbons highlighted recommendation 10 from the recently published Munro review which says that the Government should place a duty on local authorities and statutory partners to secure the sufficient provision of local early help services for children, young people and families.
2.6
A discussion followed during which various comments were made. Alastair Gibbons agreed to brief Ray Summers on the exact nature of the police involvement in the CAF process. The partnership agreed to endorse the effective support approach through use of the CAF and the continued development of early intervention services and receive an annual report in May 2012.
3
Development of the Milton Keynes Child Poverty Strategy
3.1
Michael Bracey explained that the Child Poverty Act 2010 imposed various duties on local authorities and other statutory partners; one of these duties was to produce a local needs assessment by 31 March 2011. This was completed on time and all participants were thanked for their involvement.
3.2
The partnership was asked whether it agreed with the recommendation to establish a time limited commission. The partnership was also asked to consider who should chair the commission; which partnership services and agencies should be part of the commission and which key agencies outside the partnership should also be involved. A discussion followed and several points were raised and noted.
3.3
It was agreed that all suggestions for commission chair and representatives will be considered and presented at the next meeting. The partnership agreed to support a time limited commission being established and report back to the partnership in December 2011 with recommendations for future action.
4
Implications of the SEN green paper
4.1
Will Spurgeon gave a presentation of the main proposals of the SEN green paper. He then explained that the proposal was set out in five chapters: early identification and support; giving parents more control; learning and achieving; preparing for adulthood; and services working together with families.
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4.2
The partnership was then asked whether anyone was intending to make formal responses to the consultation. The partnership responded as follows. 4.2.1 Jill Wilkinson confirmed that Community Services were working with the Inclusion Team and were co-chairing workshops; a joint response will be made. 4.2.2 Julie Mills stated that Milton Keynes College would be focussing on post educational transition; Will Spurgeon offered to attend any briefing meetings they were holding or wanting to arrange to provide information to staff. 4.2.3 David Livermore told the meeting that the voluntary sector would be considering the areas of co-ordination and transition. 4.2.4 Nick Jackman and Simon Viccars confirmed that their schools would be making individual responses.
4.3
A discussion followed and comments noted. Will Spurgeon confirmed that the deadline for submission of responses is 30 June 2011 The partnership agreed to identify the key issues that Children and Young People’s Services should include in the response. Will Spurgeon and Simon Viccars left the meeting at 10.15am.
5
Overview of the priorities and plans of Thames Valley Police, Milton Keynes,
5.1
Gail Tolley reminded the partnership that it was agreed following the removal of the statutory duty to produce a Children and Young People’s Plan, that a rolling programme of reviewing service plans would be introduced. That each partnership agency/service, in the context of the partnership principles, would identify the challenges faced by their service and how priorities would be delivered.
5.2
Ray Summers provided background information to structural changes; he explained that Thames Valley Police covers three counties, and that there used to be five base command units (BCU). The BCUs have now been replaced by fifteen local policing units. Each BCU used to prepare a plan, now the policing units prepare local delivery plans alongside the force’s delivery plan.
5.3
The main objectives of the local delivery plan which covers Milton Keynes were described as follows with further details provided: 5.3.1 To cut crimes that are of most concern to the community 5.3.2 To increase the visible presence of the police 5.3.3 Protect our communities from the most serious harm
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5.3.4 Improve communication with the public in order to enhance trust and confidence with our communities 5.3.5 To tackle bureaucracy and develop the professional skills of all staff 5.3.6 To reduce cost and protect the frontline 5.4
The partnership was asked to provide any views on what the local policing priority should be to Nikki Ross and Ray Summers. The partnership noted the briefing.
6
Health Visitor Implementation Plan 2011-15
6.1
Lucy Hubber provided the background to the health visitor implementation in Milton Keynes. The plan is currently being prepared by NHS MK and Milton Keynes Community Health Services.
6.2
The plan confirms that Milton Keynes will increase staffing levels by 2.2 full time equivalents (fte); there will also be an increase in training places, supervisor roles and cover for leavers.
6.3
The partnership was asked to provide guidance on how they would like to see the plan developed for Milton Keynes.
6.4
Gail Tolley confirmed that directors of children’s services (DCS) are taking a keen interest in this area, regionally health visitors were part of the South Central Strategic Health Authority and all the DCSs are making sure that they attend the meetings. Lucy Hubber provided an update to this; NHS MK has now been clustered with Northamptonshire and therefore part of East Midlands Strategic Health Authority. Nicholas Hicks added that accountability for performance and finance will be to East Midlands, while operational links remain with South Central.
6.5
Jill Wilkinson explained that the plan needs to be agreed and signed off by the partnership and sought clarification as to whether this was the most suitable arena. Jill also asked that the key partners be identified.
6.6
It was proposed that Jill Wilkinson and Lucy Hubber will organise a series of workshops for the partnership to develop the implementation plan for Milton Keynes and that an update will be provided in January 2012. It was agreed that an interim update will be provided in September 2011, and the final recommendations will be presented in January 2012.
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7
Development of the Health and Wellbeing Board – Implications for Children’s Services
7.1
Jane Reed explained that the proposed health and social care bill had been paused until 31 May to enable further consultation. This will have an impact on the timeframe for the changes. The advice of the Department of Health is to continue to work with the proposed changes.
7.2
The Health and Wellbeing development group has been set up and the terms of reference agreed, the membership includes representatives of the political groups. The key responsibilities of the group will be an oversight of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and the transition of the public health services.
7.3
It was acknowledged that there will be implications for the Health and Wellbeing Board as a result of the SEN green paper and the Child Poverty commission.
7.4
The aim of the development group will be to explore the options that as to how the Health and Wellbeing Board could work, these options will be for discussion by partner agencies. The partnership noted the progress of the Health and Wellbeing Development Group and requests regular updates.
8
Any other business
8.1
Gail Tolley explained to the meeting that it has been agreed that all papers being submitted to the Children and Young People’s Services directorate leadership team (DLT) must now show detailed references to any background papers, and it was recommended that this practice be adopted for all future papers presented to the partnership.
8.2
Forward Plan – Michael Bracey requested that the partnership identify any items for discussion at future meetings and liaise with Amanda Farr or him. Nicholas Hicks suggested that the partnership consider how pressure to identify financial savings is being used to positively redesign services.
8.3
Jill Wilkinson clarified that she is representing children’s health on behalf of Milton Keynes Community Services and Milton Keynes Hospital.
GAIL TOLLEY CLOSED THE MEETING AT 11.30AM.
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