This report outlines the requirements made of Local Authorities by the 2004 Children Act and the 2013 Working Together publication and provides information on the service re-design which is underway to review and develop the process, systems and services that deliver Early Help for Shropshire’s children and young people. 

42.1  Members considered the report from the Head of Children’s Safeguarding which provided information on the ongoing service redesign to review and develop the process, systems and services to deliver Early Help for Shropshire’s children and young people. 

42.2  Members were advised that the aim of the service redesign was to review and develop services which deliver Early Help, reduce bureaucracy and develop systems to ensure the provision of timely services.

42.3  Lisa Wells from the Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) informed the meeting that “Compass” a new single point of referral for parents and professionals had been set up.  It was noted that between 12 February and 5 March 2014 it had received 66 calls and the triage team had been able to make appropriate responses.  She added that emergency referrals continued to be dealt with by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services [CAMHS] duty officer.

42.4  Jo Robin explained that Officers from the local authority and the CCG had developed a comprehensive approach to CAMHS across a pathway covering the varying needs from tier 1 (lowest needs) to tier 3 (specialist intervention required).  She added that service redesign had taken place with new service specifications for tier 1 and tier 3 services.

42.5  Lisa Wells commented that there had been an increase in the incidence of self harm in young people and in response to this a “self harm pathway” had been developed in order to provide a consistent approach to early identification and support.  She added that the information, advice and guidance leaflets had proved to be a particularly useful resource for young people when supporting their friends who self harm.

42.6  A Member asked how it was ensured that all young people with needs were identified, and commented that social media could be used to convey the message. Ms Robins commented that schools were ideally placed to identify and support pupils and that work was ongoing with GPs and Children’s Services to ensure that no one “fell through the net”.  It was noted that the provision of school nurses was being looked at as part of the overall review of School Health Services.  The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services commented that the future role of school nurses would be very different from their traditional role and it was hoped that services could be expanded.

42.7  A Member welcomed the development of the Self Harm Strategy.  In answer to a Member’s query, Ms Robin advised that it was too early to comment on its efficacy.

42.8  A Member questioned the number of child social workers and whether there was a high staff turnover.  It was noted that retention of social workers and support staff was good.

42.9RESOLVED

i)             That the re-design and future plans for development of Early Help support services to children and families, be noted; and

ii)            That developments in mental health provision, be noted; and

iii)           That future reports be made to the Young People’s Scrutiny Committee to further Members’ understanding of the impact of the developments.