Agenda item

The CYPP is a high level strategic document which sets out the ambition for children and young people's services across the Worcestershire Partnership. It would be judged by the outcomes of what young people achieved and how well the partners worked together.

There was a significant difference between the educational attainment of children in the County compared to vulnerable or looked after children.

A multi-agency approach between children's services and health, along with clear priorities was necessary. The Connecting Families Strategic Group suggested using their resources to focus on a multi-agency workforce plan.

It was agreed in 2015 that there would be a strategic sub group of the HWB to oversee partnership working. This group did not get off the ground so it was proposed that the Connecting Families Strategic Group be refreshed and clarify its aims. This would be a sub group of the HWB. The terms of reference have been finalised and Nathan Travis from the Fire Service would be the Chairman.

A draft plan will come to the Health and Well-being Board in April so feedback can be gained in May and June and sign-off can happen in July.

In the ensuing discussion the following points were clarified:

·       The work of connecting families was good but was on too small a scale. Its work needed to be spread across the County

·       It was crucial to listen to the voice of young people. This would happen through the Youth Cabinet, Children in Care Councils and going into schools;

·       Obesity in children should be mentioned in the plan

·       This plan could not be separated from the Ofsted report. The HWB had a strategic responsibility for health and well-being and should provide challenge and ensure things were being done. There was a large amount of information available regarding children's services e.g. JSNA and HWB members should consider what would be useful to them.

·       Worcestershire Safeguarding Children's Board was also involved

·       GPs were a useful source of information and communication with them was key. The Connecting Families Group would play a key part in disseminating information. The CCG representatives on the HWB had a role in spreading information to GPs and onwards to families. However there was some concern amongst the GP practices that the reduction in the number of Health visitors meant that they were now not so confident that information was being passed on. However it was stressed that this paper was a strategic level document rather than dealing with how information would be spread on the ground.

RESOLVED That the Health and Well-being Board:

a)     Approved the proposals to refresh the Children and Young People's Plan (CYPP) for 2017 to 2021 and for the plan to act as framework for a whole-system response to improving outcomes for children, young people and their families;

b)    Approved the proposal to strengthen the already well-established Connecting Families Strategy Group and for this group to take responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the refreshed CYPP.  This effectively replaced the proposed Children and Families Strategic Group  which was never fully implemented; and

c)     Noted the timescales for consultation to inform the refresh of the Children and Young People's Plan which included seeking the views of children, young people and families and agreed that the plan will be completed by July 2017.