Minutes:
Ms McLaughlin, Chair of the Local Children’s Partnership Group (LCPG), provided a presentation on the work of the partnership.
During consideration of the item it was noted that:
· A core theme of the partnership was a recognition that every child was unique and that the needs of the child should be put at the heart of everything that was done.
· There was a wide range of representatives in LCPG and additional representatives were always welcome.
· Some of the indicators within the dashboard were not really fit for purpose; however it did provide a rough guide of the challenges faced within Thanet.
· Thanet featured in the bottom three districts for 13 of the 17 dashboard indicators across Kent.
· 22% of families with primary school aged children, and 15% of families with secondary school aged children lived in short term privately rented low cost accommodation.
· The LCPG had a number of priorities in 2017/18 that were grouped into two outcomes:
o Outcome 1 – Safer Families and Communities: which promote and support the ability for Thanet’s children to grow up in safe families and communities; free from neglect or domestic abuse, with safe and stimulating places to play, learn and socialise
o Outcome 2 – Opportunities to Achieve: which improve the educational aspirations, outcomes and career prospects of young people in Thanet from pre-school age through to post 16, overcoming barriers to achievement and providing opportunities to develop core life skills.
· Last year 17 grant requests were received and six were granted. The objectives of the successful bids were in support of the LCPG’s priorities, and a review would be conducted during November.
· The priorities for 2018-19 has been slightly amended from 2017/18 to the following:
o Outcome 1 – Safer Families and Communities: Priority Areas of Concern for Thanet’s Local Children’s Partnership Group are children and young people; who go missing, who suffer neglect, and those who are at risk of exploitation. In addition, improve their awareness of risk taking behaviour including substance misuse, unprotected sex and group violence and to support them in building resilience
o Outcome 2 – Opportunities to Achieve: Priority Areas of Concern for Thanet’s Local Children’s Partnership Group are key transition points but especially;
§ Supporting development in pre-birth and early years so that there are fewer barriers for their successful transition into Primary School; by developing a shared understanding of school readiness and to support families to help their children from pre-birth through the Early years to develop this.
§ To reduce those post 16 young people not in education, training or employment can be supported to identify, access appropriate education, employment or training opportunities to enable them to successfully realise their aspirations
· Representatives from TDC and Thanet CCG had met with Greenwich and Lewisham Council’s to discuss out of area looked after children. Following this meeting actions were in place to improve communication between the councils.
· There was concern within the medical community that medical treatment for ADHD was being over used and relied upon as a quick fix to the detriment of the child. There was need to consider and address environmental or parenting issues in some case. Dr Martin highlighted a TED talk by Nadine Burke Harris on the issue which can be seen at the address below:
https://www.ted.com/talks/nadine_burke_harris_how_childhood_trauma_affects_health_across_a_lifetime
· Problems with speech and language had been identified as a core contributing factor that was often found at the root of a wide range of issues that effect upon troubled children. In recognition of this a programme to up-skill health visitors to provide speach and language support would begin in November. This programme was being led by the Head of Health Visiting Services and Ms Smith would provide Ms Ogilvie with contact details.
· Ms McLaughlin would give the THWBB a further update regarding the LCPG in the early part of 2018.