Agenda item

Briefing Note of the Deputy Chief Executive (People)

Further to minute 28/18 the Scrutiny Board considered a briefing note of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) which provideda follow up report on the Early Help Offer of the Family Hubs including statistical data; evaluation data, examples of good practice, information about the use of satellite venues and outreach work including engagement with schools and education and, how the impact of the work was being assessed and evidenced.

The report noted that there were 8 Family Hubs operational in Local Authority venues across the city, serving local communities and focusing on delivering early help to children aged 0-19 (and up to 24 for young people with SEN) and their families.  The Family Hubs had been operational since November 2017 and delivered a range of services targeted at families who need early help, and also host universal services for all families such as well baby clinics.  Family Hubs represent interagency working and aimed to deliver the right help at the right time, and the practitioners working from the Family Hubs included local authority Children Services staff, health visitors, midwifes, school nurses, Adult learning, Coventry Independent Advice Service, Ignite (in Willenhall) and, a range of other partners. 

The Early Help offer aimed to identify and support children and families in need of early help as early and responsively as possible, and hence reduce the number of children needing statutory intervention (such as social care).  Common Assessment Framework (CAF) was the current assessment framework for identification of needs and development of a bespoke family support plan.  The report noted the number of CAFs by ward and ethnicity and the reasons for the need for early help.  The primary reason for early help support was when there was low level needs and the threshold for statutory intervention was not met.  At closure of the CAF the reason was identified, evidencing that 24% of assessment resulted in no further support required following CAF assessment; 44% early help plans were completed and no further action was required at that time, and 26% of cases required step up/escalation to social care. 

The report noted early help support offered through family hubs included school readiness.  The report also covered the following; quality assurance and the impact of Family Hubs in the first year, sharing good practice case examples from each hub, use of satellite venues and outreach work, engagement with schools and education and what needs to happen next.

Members noted that the meeting was due to be held in a family hub again following the success of the previous visit but this was not possible this time for logistical reasons.

The Board questioned the Cabinet Member and officers present on the following:

·  Improving school readiness

·  Working with schools and education colleagues

·  Strategic joined up thinking trickling down from management

·  Nursery provision

·  Uptake from those over 16 particularly data around those over 18

·  Re-referral and time limits

·  Awareness

·  Funding

Officers reported on strategic partnership working and the improvements to the stability of the workforce and the benefits this brings.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Board request the following:

1)  An early help progress report in 12 months.

2)  A briefing note with further detail regarding the good level of development measure at the end of Reception and school readiness, including information about how Education (nurseries and schools) and Children’s Services hubs are working strategically to deliver improvements.

3)  A briefing note with further information regarding data about support for those over 16 accessing the service and also re-referral data. 

4)  The dashboard to include those over 19 using the service.