The Strategic Director, Children’s Services will submit (Document “P”) which provides an overview of the progress made within the East area on Family Hub Prevention and Early Help Services and progress on the district-wide Family Hubs Start for Life delivery plan.

Recommended –

That the progress on the Family Hub Prevention and Early Help Services and the district-wide Family Hubs Start for Life delivery plan be noted.

(Lisa Brett – 01274 431610)

The Strategic Director, Children’s Services presented a report (Document “P”) that provided Members of the Committee with an update on the progress made within the Bradford East area on Family Hub Prevention and Early Help Services. The report also detailed the progress made on the district-wide Family Hubs Start for Life delivery plan. Officers summarised the report and informed the Committee about the work taking place to help support and identify families where issues were low-level to prevent issues escalating.

The Committee were informed that Bradford had been nominated as a Start for Life district and would subsequently receive 5.5 million pounds, across 3 years, in investment. Officers stated that the investment would concentrate on ‘1001 days’ which had been identified as an important stage in children’s development.

Following the presentation, the Chair gave opportunity for Members to ask questions the details of which, and the responses given, are as below.

A Member asked what work was done with older children, mainly those beyond Key Stage 2. Officers said that Early Help did not just focus on early years, parenting programs were available to nurture links with parents. The issue of poor school attendance in Bradford East was identified by officers and the Committee were told that a pilot scheme was taking place with Hanson to identify attendance issues early.

A Member of the Committee raised concerns regarding the use of misogynistic language by young children and asked how families could be supported to deal with this. Officers acknowledged the issue as well as the role social media played and told the Member that plans were in place to work in partnership with schools and parents to address such issues. The work would include parenting groups such as ‘Talking Teens’ and this would encompass issues such as those raised.

One Member recalled a visit made to the Barkerend Hub and noted the diverse community the hub served and asked if secure housing was something the hub helped families with. Officers advised that this was planned to be reviewed in the future and that at present a housing worker was situated in each hub. The importance of good quality housing and the ongoing demand for it was stressed.

A Member queried the diversity of the Start for Life workforce and if it represented the diverse community it served. In response officers told the Member that the workforce was diverse in some respects although the workforce was comprised mainly of women, and it was not as diverse as Bradford East. However, it was suggested that work with local organisations would help meet and serve the needs of the diverse community, for example interpreters could be obtained when needed.

Officers were asked what work was taking place in Little Horton as Members were not aware of this. Officers explained that the work was dependent on referrals but not all meetings were face to face, some meetings took place virtually and both daytime and evening classes were offered.

A Member referred to the report, mainly the issue around mental health and substance misuse. The Member stated that the issues were interlinked as substance abuse was a cause of mental harm. Concern was also expressed regarding how substance misuse was becoming a society norm. Officers acknowledged the concerns and informed the Committee that both were priority areas. The Committee were told that many parents did not feel equipped to deal with the issue and so it was important to empower parents to give them the confidence to handle such difficult conversations. It was also suggested that joint work with the Police could help show potential consequences of substance misuse.

The Committee asked about the impact of Early Help since it was introduced several years ago and asked why there had been no reduction in social care cases. Officers explained that significant reductions had been taken out of Early Help previously, so funding had been lacking, it was further noted that COVID had an impact as services were not fully available. Officers suggested that the ‘1001 days’ preventative approach would have a significant impact.

Members queried how targeting worked and how families were identified as being in need of Early Help. In response, officers told Members that referrals played a large part and that referrals could be made from various parties including schools and police for example. Officers noted the high uptake of the service by families.

Resolved –

That the progress on the Family Hub Prevention and Early Help Services and the district-wide Family Hubs Start for Life delivery plan be noted.

Action: Strategic Director, Children’s Services

(Lisa Brett – 01274 431610)