Melanie France, CYP Integration Lead, Shropshire Council

The Board received the report of the CYP Integration Lead, Shropshire Council – copy attached to the signed Minutes – which provided an update on early Intervention and Prevention across Shropshire and described the integration test and learn site at Oswestry, one of several projects in development alongside the draft All-Age Early Intervention and Prevention Strategy.

The CYP Integration Lead introduced and amplified her report.  She gave some strategic background before going on to discuss the Test and Learn site in Oswestry. The Test and Learn site had focussed mainly on children, young people and their families with the aim of building the community-led offer and to identify and encourage children and families to tackle issues early on to prevent them from reaching a crisis point.

Oswestry was chosen as the first site using Population Health data which recognised that there were areas of deprivation in Oswestry and the work had been in two parts, first creating a multi-disciplinary team and secondly the development of a community led offer.  It was noted that many of the practitioners included in the multi-disciplinary team did not know each other despite working with the same families, so one of the aims was to do joint visits which made a huge difference to the families.  All practitioners were being trained to use the same system (liquid logic) which allowed them to see that holistic whole view of the family.

The CYP Integration Lead drew attention to the Community Collaborative which supported practitioners by filling in gaps that were being identified within the community and gave the example of OsNosh which was an initiative around food waste and was on a pay-what-you-can basis.  So when practitioners meet families who were known to be in particularly difficult circumstances they would meet them at OsNosh and would eat with them whilst they had their meeting which has had a very positive impact for those families. Although not a new approach, best practice was being followed and built upon.

She highlighted the aims of the integration programme and explained that it was about reducing demand across the system of health, the Council and other partners.  The work being done was currently being independently evaluated to evidence the results however it was felt that it was having a positive impact and she agreed to bring the results back to a future meeting.  The next phase would be to roll out this approach across the County where it was hoped to have five integrated teams, the next site being North Shrewsbury followed by Ludlow and Market Drayton.  She confirmed that this work was feeding into the All-Age Early Intervention and Prevention Strategy and conversations were being held around a leadership structure and how it would be delivered.

The CYP Integration Lead answered a number of queries from Board members.  In response to a query about the creation of a prevention offer led by the VCSA, it was explained that they recognised the importance of the VCSA and the work they were doing to assist.  There was also a crossover between the Community Connector Network and the Community Collaborative and more work was needed across that contract to see how to make best use of resources across both of those.  It was agreed to hold a conversation around this outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED:

To note the contents of the report including the further development and scaling up of the Integration programme

That a further report on the progress of the Integration Test and Learn sites be brought to a future meeting to endorse a proposed roll out plan for Shropshire

That strategic oversight of the Integration Programme be monitored by the HWBB for assurance.

To receive a report to a future meeting on the Draft All Age Early Intervention Prevention Strategy.