The report of the Interim Strategic Director, Children’s Services,

(Document “W”) presents the proposal for consultation for the use of buildings within the Prevention and Early Help Services.

Members are requested to note the details contained in Document “W” and for their comments.

(Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Jenny Cryer – 01274 432438)

The report of the Interim Strategic Director, Children’s Services, (Document “W”) presented the proposal for consultation for the use of buildings within the Prevention and Early Help Services.

This follows the creation of a new 0-19 years Prevention and Early Help Service that was informed by a public consultation carried out between November 2017 and February 2018; and a decision by Executive on 3 April 2018 that the use of buildings be reviewed to look for ways in which the two year additional funding for staffing could be sustained through different use of buildings assets.

Members were reminded that there would be one locality area covering the Keighley and Shipley areas and were asked to consider the buildings in the Shipley constituency area as detailed in paragraph 9.9 of the report.

A Member sought clarity on what exactly Members were being asked to comment on as he considered the report was not clear.  He commented that no alternative buildings had been put forward in the report to those listed within paragraph 9.9 of the report and he was unclear of the criteria being considered.  In response, it was clarified that the consultation was part of a buildings review for a service that had been developing over the past two years.  There was a need to consider what was currently being delivered, what was missing, the cost of running services from buildings and those buildings that were currently under-utilised in order to provide a value for money service.  Members were asked to consider what was required within their wards and to inform offices if they knew of provision from any buildings not listed within the report.

The Chair suggested that officers circulate background information to provide clarity on the consultation process and then meet with all Ward Members individually to discuss their particular ward areas and to receive their comments as part of the consultation.  He also spoke of pockets of deprivation within affluent areas and the need to assure people in those circumstances that if a service from a particular building stopped, support was still available.

During the discussion it was stated that alternative provision to that currently delivered from Sandal School in Baildon was being considered.  Following a Member’s concern about this change, it was stated that the school had the option to consider co-delivering services or providing it themselves.  It was also stated that it would be better to have services delivered from a building in the Baildon area which was appropriate for older children and accessible for people from lower Baildon.

In response to a Member’s question, it was reported that the outcomes of the service delivery were monitored locally and nationally but examples of what the service hoped to achieve in the long term included an increase in the number of children attending school, a decrease in the number of children on the child protection register and a decrease in childhood obesity figures.  Members were informed that the outcomes framework could be shared with them and that each locality hub would be carrying out performance monitoring.

A Member commented on the important social aspect for parents to meet other adults with regard to the provision of  0-1 year old services.

Resolved –

That additional background information be circulated to Members to stimulate a meaningful contribution to the consultation  and that meetings be held with ward Members to obtain their views.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Children’s Services

ACTION: Interim Strategic Director, Children’s Services