Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Social Care and Health

Further to Minute No. 27 of 5 December 2017, the Committee considered the report of the Director of Social Care and Health providing the Committee the opportunity to comment on the proposals to align Family Wellbeing Centres into Locality working and note the outcomes of Sefton Community First.

The report set out the background to the matter; the context of Family Wellbeing; the all-encompassing operating model developed, namely Sefton Community First offer that provided a holistic approach and joined up work with public health, NHS and wider council work, together with the ASPIRE outcome framework; engagement sessions held with the community, partners, parent/carers, schools and Head Teachers; the implementation of a new funding methodology; the delivery programme currently being developed, timetabled  and shared with families; and conclusions.

The following appendices were attached to the report:-

·         Appendix 1 - Sefton Community First;

·         Appendix 2 - Delivery model;

·         Appendix 3 - Staffing structure; and

·         Appendix 4 - Staffing allocation.

Members of the Committee asked questions/raised matters on the following issues:-

·         What control did the Local Authority have over the delivery of services commissioned directly through schools?

When Children’s Centres were first delivered through schools, the specification/model was probably not robust enough. There was much more clarity on the model now and services would be commissioned through schools with the Local authority having control through the Locality model. An annual review would also take place.

·         Reference was made to Appendix 1 – the “Sefton Community First 2018-2020” document which was marked as a draft.

The Locality model had been agreed by the full Council and consultation had taken place during 2017. There were still a small number of board meetings yet to receive the document.

·         Concerns were raised regarding issues with the speech and language service.

The service was commissioned and discussions might be required with the Clinical Commissioning Groups. An update could be provided to the Committee in the future. The Director of Social Care and Health would contact the Member concerned for details.

·         There were anecdotal reports of parents/carers not receiving services for children with autism unless they were classed as targeted families. This was considered to be contrary to early intervention and prevention approach.

The Director of Social Care and Health would contact the Member concerned for details.

·         Reference was made to Appendix 4 – “Proposed Staffing”. Which Council Department(s) would these posts come under?

The services referred to would become part of the Locality model which would be one generic service and would be more seamless, rather than officers working in silos.

RESOLVED: That the following aspects of the development of the Family Wellbeing Service be noted:-

(1)       the principles of Sefton Community First;

(2)       the ASPIRE outcomes;

(3)       the role of Family Wellbeing Centres within Sefton Community First; and

(4)       the new posts currently being consulted on within the structure.