Councillor Wood for Councillor Choudhry.

No declarations of interest were made for matters under consideration.

(Access to Information Procedure Rules – Part 3B of the Constitution)

Reports and background papers for agenda items may be inspected by contacting the person shown after each agenda item.  Certain reports and background papers may be restricted. 

Any request to remove the restriction on a report or background paper should be made to the relevant Strategic Director or Assistant Director whose name is shown on the front page of the report. 

If that request is refused, there is a right of appeal to this meeting. 

Please contact the officer shown below in advance of the meeting if you wish to appeal. 

(Fatima Butt - 01274 432227)

No requests were received to remove the restriction on a report or background paper.

The Committee is asked to note any referrals land decide how it wishes to proceed, for example by incorporating the item into the work programme, requesting that it be subject to more detailed examination, or refer it to an appropriate Working Group/Committee.

No referrals were received.

The Interim Strategic Director, Children’s Services will submit Document “J” which provides an update on highlights from the Families First Programme and focuses on areas of progress, action in the next period and areas of concern and potential concern.

Recommended-

That the contents of the report and the progress being made be noted.

                                                            (Chad Thompson – 01274 432904)

The report provided Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee members, with highlights from the improvement journey of the Supporting Families Programme delivered locally in Bradford and to provide a performance update on the Families First, (FF), Programme in 2021-22.

Members of the committee were keen to understand what the issues and problems with the service were in 2021.

In response officers stated that this was due to the significant failings in terms of delivery as well as not being able to record outcomes.  As well as this, members also heard that the transformation programme, did not have adequate leadership.

Members wanted to know of the reporting to Central Government was a rigorous process.

Officers stated that it was a rigorous process and it was a system based on performance by results, as well being a national check process.

Moreover, members also enquired as to whether this work should already be being undertaken within Children’s Services.

Officers agreed with this and also stated that there was some way to go yet and a stronger offer was required.

Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillors were extremely concerned that there were a lot of actions that’s needed to be delivered to improve the service and that there were no completion dates or officers responsible for undertaking these tasks, against them.

Children’s Services Officers apologised for this and stated that they would discuss this with the Board and would then provide this to members, the next time they present to the Committee.

Resolved –

1.    This Committee welcomes the progress made in 2021-22 and requests that a progress update be provided to this Committee in 12 months’ time; to also focus on key outcomes delivered by the programme.

2.    This Committee requests that officers explore more sustainable approaches to the continuation of the programme, if it were not to be funded beyond the currently known three-year period, 2022-25.

Action – Strategic Director, Children’s Services.

                                                                  (Chad Thompson – 01274 432904)

The Director for Keeping Well (NHS Bradford) will submit Document “K” which provides a summary of local work undertaken to develop the crisis support model, outlines plans to implement the crisis protocol and the wider context in which crisis support fits within the plans and ambitions for children and young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Recommended-

(1)  That the progress of the crisis protocol work as part of the Act as One Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Programme be noted . 

(2)  That the plan and next steps to developing multi-disciplinary models of care that support children and young people in crisis closer to home and, reduce the amount of time spent within the hospital setting be supported.

(3)  That the development of a business case for the proposed joint commission of a local alternative to hospital for children and young people in crisis be supported.

                                                (Kris Farnell/Joanne Tooby - (01274) 237587)

Officers from Bradford NHS provided Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee members, with an update of local work undertaken to develop the crisis support model, outline plans to implement the crisis protocol and the wider context in which crisis support fits within the plans and ambitions for children and young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. 

The report also provided members with highlights and challenges that exist to supporting children and young people in crisis, the needs of children and young people who present in crisis and the breadth of partnership work that is taking place to support children and young people to thrive and achieve potential.  The report also included the next steps for implementing the crisis protocols and wider system work to support children and young people in crisis.

Members were keen to understand what the current positon was in the service.

In response, officers indicated that the vast majority of children came though the mental health teams, with few children requiring mental health care.  Members also heard that there were children coming into hospital with self harm and staying in hospital for much longer.  Moreover, no young person should stay more than four weeks in the acute section.

Furthermore, members wanted to know more about the role of partners in ensuring that the programme is delivered and where the risks are.

Officers explained that the risks are considered as a whole system and giving appropriate training and support for this.  As well as this, officers also informed members that partners brought resources, to assist in the delivery of the programme.

Members enquired that in the report they had been asked to support the Business Case, yet this had not been provided.

In response officers highlighted that the Business Case was aspirational and involvement of all key partners was required.

Members of the committee were concerned about the length of time it took to identifying a child for autism and then receiving a timely diagnosis.

Officers responded by indicating that they could provide members of the committee with assurances that in 2021/2022, there will be a significant piece of work about early diagnosis for autism and that there was a dedicated project manager looking inti this and considering if children are receiving the right support at the right time.  Furthermore, Officers stated that they would bring a report back on this matter, to the committee.

Resolved –

(1)  The Committee notes the progress of the Crisis Protocol work as part of the Act as One Children and Young People’s Wellbeing programme.

(2)  The Committee requests that relevant Bradford Metropolitan District Councillor Officers have an early sight of the business case for proposed joint commission of a local alternative to hospital for children and young people in crisis.

(3)  The Committee requests that a report illustrating the targeting of improved timeliness of autism assessments and diagnosis be brought before it by Autumn 2022.

Action – Strategic Director for Keeping Well (NHS)

                                                            (Ali Jan Haider – 01274 237587)

The report of the Chair of the Committee (Document “L”) includes the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for 2021-2022.

Recommended-

(1)       That Members consider and comment on the areas of work included in the work programme.

(2)       That Members consider any detailed scrutiny reviews that they may wish to conduct.

                                                                        (Mustansir Butt – 01274 432574) 

The Overview and Scrutiny Lead presented the 2021-22 work programme.

Members heard that the work programme ad agreed by the Committee formed the basis for the committees work during the year, but can be amended as issues arise during the year.

The members discussed and amended the work programme.

The Overview and Scrutiny Lead provided members with an update in relation to the Elective Home Education Scrutiny Review and members agreed on the next steps.

Resolved –

Members discussed and amended the 2021-22 work programme for the Committee.

Action – Overview and Scrutiny Lead.

                                                                        (Mustansir Butt – 01274 432574)