Western Area Children’s Service Plan Review April.

Western Area Children’s Service Plan Review April 2006 This is the first Annual Review of the 2005-2008 Children’s Services Plan. INDEX Page Foreword 3-4 1 Strategic Context 5-6 2 Developing and Monitoring the Children’s Services Plan – WACYPC 7-12 3 Building on the Strengths of Families 13-16 4 Children and Young People in Public Care 17-22 5 Children with a Disability 23-25 6 Children with Emotional, Behavioural, Psychological or Psychiatric Difficulties 26-29 7 Children in Need of Protection 30-32 8 Youth Justice 33-35 9 Homelessness – Children and Families 36-37 10 Sixteen Plus 38-41 11 The Western Area Child Care Plan 42-46 12 Domestic Violence – Children and Young People 47-49 13 Children & Young People in the Travelling Community 50-51 14 Children & Young People’s Health and Health Services 52-54 Front cover photo courtesy of Microsoft Corporation 3 FOREWORD This is the first Annual Review of the 2005-2008 Children’s Services Plan. The review is based on the action plans agreed for the respective Sub-Committees of the Western Area Children and Young People’s Committee. The Children and Young People’s Committees across the four Health and Social Services Board areas in Northern Ireland have worked closely to develop a collaborative approach to planning, commissioning and delivering services to children, young people and their families. The context of statutory, voluntary and community collaboration with an active involvement of children, young people and their parents can only improve the outcomes for our children. It is important at this time with the restructuring of public sector organisations, that these benefits are retained and enhanced. Dominic Burke Western Area Children & Young Peoples Committee WACYPC Members Dominic Burke, WHSSB Eamon McTernan, WHSSB Gerry Conway, WHSSB Mrs Pauline Leeson, Children in NI Ms Betty Feeney, RCD Mr John Doherty, FHSST Ms Winnie O’Grady, Derry Travellers Support Network Ms Marie McGale, MENCAP Mr Vincent McCauley, Westcare Business Services Mr Artie O’Neill, Youth Justice Agency Ms Clionagh Boyle, Derry Children’s Commission Mr Sean Mackie, NIHE Mr John O’Kane, PBNI Ms Kate Thompson, SLT Mrs Brenda Macqueen, Dry Arch Centre Ms Siobhan McIntyre, WHSSB Mr Gary Matthewson, Principal, Holy Family Primary School Ms Marie Kavanagh, Gingerbread Ms Liz Cuddy, Extern Insp Cindy Mackie, PSNI 4 The Western Area Children and Young People’s Committee welcomes comments, views, opinions about the 2006 Review of the Children’s Services Plan. If you wish to convey your views about: y Content y How the information is laid out y What is missing? y Ideas for further development y Criticism y How the plan can be improved Please Contact: Gerry Conway Principal Social Worker (Children’s Services Planning) Western Health and Social Services Board Area Board Headquarters 15 Gransha Park Clooney Road Derry BT47 6FN Tel No: 028 7186 0086 Fax No: 028 7186 0311 E-mail: gerry.conway@whssb.n-i.nhs.uk The Children’s Services Plan as well as a range of other planning documents and information about need and supply in respect of services for children and young people in the West, is available in the Western Area Children and Young People’s Committee Website at: www.wacy-pc.org 5 1 STRATEGIC CONTEXT 1.1 The current Children’s Services Plan 2005-2008 sits amidst fundamental changes to the structure of public services in Northern Ireland and major developments in the policy field in relation to children and young people. The Review of Public Administration, announced in November 2005, will see the replacement of the four Health and Social Services Board by one Regional Strategic Health and Social Services Authority and a restructuring of Trusts, reducing from 19 to 6 (including the NI Ambulance Service). The restructuring will have implications in the coming year and beyond for the process of Children’s Services Planning, its location within the new structures and its well developed partnerships in terms of local planning and delivery. The four Children and Young Peoples Committees have provided their own contribution to the discussions at Government level about the future arrangement for the joint planning and commissioning of services for children and young people. It promotes the development of a coordinated multiagency and cross-sectoral approach to planning and delivery at government, regional and local levels. Its main themes are that:- y There needs to be a legal incentive for agencies to plan and commission together; y There must be active participation of children and young people at all levels; y There should be democratic accountability at all levels; y The multi-agency planning process should be adequately resourced. 1.2 From a policy perspective, the last year has witnessed major developments to focus and investment on meeting the needs of children and young people. The appointment of Jeff Rooker as Northern Ireland’s first Minister for Children and Young People in August 2005 signalled an intention to have a children’s champion in government to complement the role of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People. A long awaited Children and Young Peoples Strategy has been launched by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, outlining a vision of better outcomes for the Children of Northern Ireland over the next ten years. Included in this strategy will be a framework for the development of services for vulnerable children and young people. 6 On 7 March 2007, Peter Hain, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, announced a significant funding package for children and young people. An additional £61 million will be invested over the next two years to reduce social, health and educational differentials through targeting support at children and young people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds. At this stage, it is unclear about the detail of the developments which will be taken forward under the auspices of the Department of Education. A collaborative approach to the developments, building on the relationships nurtured through Children’s Services Planning, would see the best outcomes for this significant investment. The funding Package is one of a number of new cross-cutting funding packages which “will be underpinned by greater co-operation between Departments and their agencies to secure more effective services through integrated serviced delivery”. It will see a range of actions/activities taken forward under the following key themes:- • Extended Schools • Extended Early Years provision • Looked After Children and Vulnerable Young Adults • Youth Provision • Child Protection • Children with Special Needs and Disabilities In addition, the Health and Well-Being Investment Plan (HWIP) under the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety outlines an additional £9.5 million in the Western Board area in 2006/07 to address the following:- • Implementation of the Fostering Strategy • A Review of Residential Provision in the Western Area • Implementation of the Children (Leaving Care) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 • Child Protection 7 2 DEVELOPING AND MONITORING THE CHILDREN’S SERVICES PLAN - WACYPC Strategic Objective: The Western Area Children and Young Peoples Committee will promote and develop the Children’s Services Plan through the period 2005-2008, concentrating on achieving progress in the areas of: • Outcomes based on Needs and Rights • Integrated Planning based on the “Whole Child” Model • Supporting Families 2.1 Membership of the Western Area Children & Young People’s Committee The membership of the Children and Young Peoples Committee represents the key statutory agencies of Health & Social Services Board and Trusts, Education, Probation Board, Youth Justice, NIHE and PSNI with members of the voluntary, community and ethnic minority sectors. During 2005/06, there was a change of representation from the voluntary/community sectors in a process facilitated by CiNI. New members joining the Committee included. • Marie McGale (MENCAP) • Betty Feeney (Resource Centre Derry) • Marie Kavanagh (Gingerbread) • Liz Cuddy (Extern) In addition, Winnie O’Grady replaced Margaret Boyle as the representative of the Derry Travellers Support Network. At the end of the 2005/06, the Committee lost the valuable support of Sheila McCaul from WELB as the result of retirement, and a replacement is awaited. This year also saw the passing of Joan Ross after a long illness. Joan represented Social Services Training on the Committee and, during its existence to date, provided an expert and supportive contribution to the development of inter-agency and cross-sectoral planning and delivery. 8 2.2 Launch of the Four Children’s Services Plan 2005-08 – “Being a Part of It” The Children’s Services Plans for the four Children and Young People’s Committees were formally launched by Paul Martin, Chief Inspector, Social Services Inspectorate in the Everglades Hotel, Derry on 16 November 2005. An inspirational keynote address was provided by Con Hogan (photograph on right) from Vermont, USA who has worked closely with Children’s Services Planners in the development of an outcomefocussed approach to planning. A Market Place of Good Practice was introduced by Barney McNeany from the office of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People. Examples of good practice from each Children and Young Peoples Committee were presented initially through video-link to the Conference participants by Nicola Rogers, a young person from this area. Western area representation in this Market Place included:- • Integrated Family Support Strategy – Carina Boyle (NCH) and John Meehan (Foyle Trust) • Accommodation and Support for Young People – Stephen McLaughlin (Foyle Trust) and Louise Clarke (NIHE) • Youth Participation Project –Bill Vaughan and Hugh Doyle (YPP) (see photograph below on left) 9 2.3 Outcomes Based Planning The Children’s Services Planners, on a regional basis, have liaised closely with the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) in the development of the Regional Children and Young People’s Strategy. Extensive consultation with other stakeholders involved in the Children’s Services Planning process resulted in the development of the 9 High Level Outcomes contained in the Children’s Services Plan. The Regional Strategy has concluded that Northern Ireland should work on the 5 Every Child Matters Outcomes with an additional Rights Focussed Outcome. Whatever the Outcomes, the overall objective remains to achieve agreement on common statements of purpose. Through these, individual agencies will measure their activity as a contribution to the well-being of children and young people. 26 Is the Health & Well-being of Children and Young People Improving? Health Achievement Safety Economic Contribution Rights Key Feeder Indicators (Health, Social Care, Education, Youth Justice, other Depts – Voluntary / Community Sector) Work is being taken forward, both on a regional and cross-border basis on the development of core “feeder” indicators. As this work develops, information will be gathered against these feeder indicators so that:- 10 • Actions and strategies are put in place to achieve improvement; • Improvement is monitored over time; • The “state of the health and well-being” of children in the West can be bench-marked against other areas/regions. 2.4 Key Issues for Children’s Services Planning in 2005/06 The process of collaborative planning during this period was shaped by the following themes which will remain as central into the future:- • Review of Public Administration The restructuring within the Health and Social Services arena during 2006/07 will provide challenges regionally and locally. The links between the new structures and the evolving structures in Education and Local Councils will require specific attention during the extended period of transition, given the different time-scales. • The Children (Leaving Care) Act (NI) 2002 The planned implementation of the new legislation from September 2005 has been a challenge in terms of the available funding for implementation and the clear multi-sectoral approach to improving the outcomes of young people who are care experienced. The 16+ Sub-Committee has taken a lead role in developing a collaborate approach to identifying and addressing the range of needs experienced by care-leavers. 2.5 Western Area Children & Young People’s Committee – Key Result Areas Key Result Area Progress Improved Outcomes for Children and Young People are Vulnerable or in need. Information systems continue to be developed in terms of key indicators. This process will be further developed with the launch of the 10 year Children and Young People’s Strategy and its focus on outcome-based planning against shared high level outcomes. Children’s Rights Children’s Services Planning has promoted the integration of children’s rights into the development of other regional strategy and the inclusion of rights as well as needs into the planning framework. 11 Key Result Area Progress Commissioning and Resource Targeting The Sub-Committees have sought to improve the targeting of services and resources on children and young people in greatest need and on communities with the highest levels of deprivation. Examples of this include the work of the Child Care Partnership in developing proposals for the possible extension of Sure Start, the endorsement of the strategy for Children with a Disability and the development of the Traveller Children enrichment Programme. User Participation The Children’s Services Planners has been actively involved in the development of a policy on User Engagement within the Strategic Commissioning Team for Children Young People and Parents. The collaboration with colleagues from the HSE (North West) to develop a Youth Participation Project has resulted in an initial conference for young people held at the Everglades Hotel, Londonderry on 1 December 2005. At this conference, a number of statutory, voluntary and community agencies associated with Children’s Services Planning signed up to a commitment to develop their engagement with young people. Subsequent training programme have been provided to improve capacity within these agencies. A further conference in December 2006 to be held in Letterkenny, will monitor the level of engagement undertaken. 12 Key Result Area Progress Early Intervention The last year has seen an active concentration on the need for early intervention services across all Sub-Committee of the Children and Young People’s Committee but particularly in the development of an integrated family support strategy. The accessibility of early intervention services in local communities is a key element of a support strategy. A major challenge is the safeguarding of existing services which are increasingly vulnerable because of the ending of fixed term funding streams. It is necessary to identify the pressures at an early stage and to take appropriate steps to safeguard vital services, where possible. Effective Influence The Children’s Services Planner has continued to liaise with OFMDFM in conjunction with other Children’s Services Planners on the development of a Regional Strategy based on outcomes and rights. Integrated Family Support Strategy The Integrated Family Support Strategy Group has brought together the intensive support strategies developed in both Trusts (New Beginnings) with the work of the Family Support Preventative Group to seek an integrated approach. This is explored fully in Chapter 3 of this review. 13 3 BUILDING ON THE STRENGTHS OF FAMILIES Strategic Objective: • To develop family support as the preferred method of intervention in meeting the needs of children by building on the strengths of families and carers. • To provide an information base which will enable participating agencies to plan strategically for the development of family support services. • To develop a comprehensive range of services which can meet the needs of children and their families in a supportive way. 3.1 The development of a Family Support Strategy has been undertaken under the overview of the Family Support Strategy Group through the development of a coordinated “parallel” approach across the following:- (a) Intensive support through the development of the New Beginning initiative in each Community Trust to address the needs of levels 3&4 of the Northern Ireland Family Support Model. (b) Preventative/Early Intervention support for children and families at Levels 1 and 2 of the Family Support Model. 3.2 Through the first year of the Plan, activity has been focussed on further developing the Intensive Support arrangements in the Trusts, including early evaluation of its impact in Foyle Trust and establishing structures in local council areas to inform the development of preventative/early intervention services. There has been an increasing focus on the interface between levels 2 and 3 and the need to actively develop an integrated approach which seeks to make appropriate services available and accessible to children and families when needed to address identified needs. 14 3.3 The importance of relevant information about need across the Boards’ area has been recognised and significant efforts have been made to ensure that information is collated and made available on the Committee’s website – www.wacy-pc.org. The Information Officer supporting Children’s Services Planning, has explored the range of information required to support planning and sought to ensure its availability and accessibility. With colleagues from other Board area, and from the Health Services Executive in the Republic of Ireland, efforts are being made to find a common information framework to support planning, and evaluation/monitoring of performance against shared outcomes. 3.4 The strategy for the development of preventative/early intervention services has been based on the initial work carried out by Huw Griffiths, University of Ulster (Magee). To build in this work, activities have centred on the development of Locality Action Groups in each current District Council area (two in the Derry City Council area) funding has been secured from the Northern Local Health and Social Care Group and WHSSB for NCH to appoint Development Workers in each Trust area to establish and develop Locality Action Groups. By 31 March 2006, one Development Worker was in post in the Foyle Trust area and recruitment had begun in the Sperrin Lakeland Trust area. The Locality Action Groups will promote a model of child-friendly communities and will consider the needs, rights and views of children and their families in the development and co-ordination of child and family-friendly support services. The Locality Action Groups will contribute to the planning of services through:- • The use of recent research and information about outcomes and feeder indicators of need in their area to identify where needs are being met, where gaps and opportunities exist and where there may be duplication in services. • Promoting the participation of children, young people and parents in the process. • Producing Local Action Plans for the development of early intervention services, which will create more opportunities for children and their families to achieve their full potential. • Pursuing resources for the development and coordination of early intervention services. • Strengthening interface links with intensive support services. 15 3.5 Building on the Strength of Families – Key Result Areas Key Result Area Progress New Beginnings Initiative – Foyle Trust Foyle Trust has been consolidating its structural and practice changes during the year. An evaluation has been carried out by NUI Galway which endorses the conceptual framework underpinning the initiatives and affirms the development of Panels to allocate resources to individual families, of Family Group Conferencing (now a central government Priorities for Action target), and of the need to ensure a range of earlyintervention services to prevent the need for intensive levels of support. The evaluation also pointed up pressure – points within the system which the Trust is now seeking to address eg resources available at Duty & Assessment Team stage of Trust involvement. New Beginnings Initiative – Sperrin Lakeland Trust Sperrin Lakeland Trust has progressed its implementation of the Intensive Family Support agenda with the development of organisational structures and service redesigns to reinforce the cultural shift to build on the strengths of families. The evaluation of Foyle Trust’s progress will have a major impact of the consolidation within Sperrin Lakeland. 16 Key Result Area Progress Preventative/Early Intervention The Locality Consultation process carried out by Huw Griffiths has been further developed through the creation of Locality Action Groups which will help to determine prioritised development plans based on robust needs assessments. The initial process, which will be further developed, identified key themes for inclusion in the development:- • Locality based early intervention services • Home based services • Participation of Children Young People and Parents. The Development Workers will be linking closely with the Youth Participation Project to address this theme. • Utilising existing community infrastructure. • Improving Quality. Work has now started on developing a quality assurance framework including the setting of baseline standards. • Funding Strategy. The development of a collaborative approach to funding streams has been identified and initial efforts have been made to establish relationships with funding bodies. • Preventative Mental Health Services. This theme is being addressed through the Sub-Committee for Children with Emotional, Behavioural, Psychiatric and Psychological Difficulties. 17 4 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN PUBLIC CARE Strategic Objective: To develop a range of services for children and young people in public care which will increase the capacity of WHSSB and Trusts to comprehensively assess their needs, in collaboration with other agencies and to ensure that Care Plans can drawn upon appropriate placements and other support and treatment services. 4.1 The Looked After Children Sub-Committee has continued to be chaired by Godfrey Young, Sperrin Lakeland Trust. At 31 March 2006, 426 children were looked after in the WHSSB area. Foyle Trust Sperrin Lakeland Trust TOTAL Residential 34 22 56 Foster Care 216 82 298 Placed with own family 30 28 58 Other 9 5 14 TOTAL 289 137 426 • The number of children in care in the WHSSB area has fallen over the past two years, from 501 at 31/03/04 to 426 at 31/03/06. • There has been a decrease of 62 children in care in Foyle Trust over the past year (18%). • There has been an increase of 15 in the number of children in care in Sperrin Lakeland Trust during the same period. • In Foyle Trust 75% of children were in foster care on 31/03/06, followed by 12% in residential care, and 10% in family placements. • In Sperrin Lakeland HSC Trust, 60% of children were in foster care at 31/03/06, 16% were in residential care and 20% were in family placements. • With Foyle Trust, 42% of children had 3 or more placement moves by 31/03/06. in Sperrin Lakeland Trust, 48% of children had 3 or more placement moves (note that this figure includes planned respite care). • In relation to Health Care, 7% of children in Foyle and 2% of children in Sperrin Lakeland had not had their immunizations up to date, 74% of Foyle children had their annual health assessment, and 77% of Sperrin Lakeland children had their annual assessment. 18 • In relation to education, children in care in Foyle Trust missed, on average 21 days in he current year. The equivalent figure in Sperrin Lakeland Trust is 19. 15% of Foyle children and 19% of Sperrin Lakeland children had a SEN. 7% of children in Foyle and 13% of children in Sperrin Lakeland had experienced suspension from school. 4.2 Residential Provision The most significant event relating to residential provision has been the decision of Care NI to announce the closure of the 6 bed Intensive Support Unit at Brindley House with effect from June 2006. The withdrawal of the Brindley House Unit has created a significant gap in specialist residential provision in the WHSSB area. The WHSSB is conducting a strategic review of placement ‘sites’ for Looked After Children. This review requires to take into account the following factors: (a) The impact of the withdrawal of Brindley House on available specialist beds. (b) The systems capacity to respond to the complex needs of a number of young people. (c) The current configuration of residential units and range of statements of purpose and function. (d) Consideration of the potential for intensive support fostering to provide better outcomes for young people with very complex needs. (e) The strategic emphasis on intensive family support, and the implications of this focus for the role of residential care and its interface with other services (eg the development of outreach models of work, to support foster carers and/or children and young people placed at home etc). (f) The need to finalise the WHSSB position relating to bids for funding for Intensive Support Units under phase two of Children Matter. 19 4.3 There are currently 208 foster-carers in the WHSSB area with 415 places available. No of Foster Homes No of Foster Places No of Children in Foster Care Foyle Trust 125 218 216 Sperrin Lakeland Trust 83 197 82 TOTAL 208 415 298 DHSSPS have announced the availability of funding to support the implementation of the NI Fostering Strategy. This will amount to a total of £6m regionally in 06/07, rising to £8m regionally in 07/08. It is proposed that a proportion of this funding will be deployed to fund regional services, to include: (a) Recruitment and marketing (b) Training (c) A 24/7 support service for foster carers Boards have been requested to submit bids for the local application of funding, and the following areas are under consideration in the WHSSB area: (a) Development of a RPA Trust wide recruitment and assessment team (b) Enhanced Training Capacity (c) Family Group Conferencing to enhance kinship fostering arrangements (d) Enhancement of Link Work service. 4.4 Adoption and Permanency Planning Adoption and Permanency Planning during 2005/06 • No of “Best Interest” recommendations 13 • No of these without Parental Agreement 12 • No of children placed for adoption 8 • No of children matched and placed with approved prospective adopters 3 • No of children matched and placed with foster carers who became approved prospective adopters 5 • No of approved prospective adopters awaiting domestic placement at 31/03/06 11 20 4.5 Children and Young People in Public Care – Key Result Areas Key Result Area Progress Base Line Data on Need The Information Officers at the Board and Trust have collaborated to ensure that accurate and timely information is gathered in relation to outcomes/indicators for looked after children. The information system will enable progress against outcomes to be tracked and to compare outcomes of Looked After Children with Outcomes for the general population of children and young people. Educational Outcomes The joint protocol for Looked After Children is at early stage of development between WHSSB and WELB. The Children and Young People’s Funding Package announced by the Secretary of State in March 2006 has outlined funding arrangements under the Department of Education to “improve the education provision and support for looked after children and vulnerable young adults”. The immediate task is to coordinate the implementation of this package with the Department of Education. Health Outcomes The issue of improving health outcomes is recognised as needing a particular focus for the work of this Sub-Committee. Previous dedicated programmes finished with the cessation of funding. Direct links have been established with Health Promotion staff to build on the earlier work. Quality of Care Planning The Board and Trusts will await the recommendations of the (current) SSI Inspection in Foyle HSS Trust and Sperrin Lakeland HSC Trust, to establish the baseline position in order to adopt a consensus approach to raising care planning standards. 21 Key Result Area Progress Permanency Planning The Priorities for Action target of increasing the rate of children adopted to 7% of the Looked After Population in each Trust by 31 March 2006 was not met. Consideration is given to a permanence plan for each child who is "Looked After" at the 3 and a half month Looked After Children Review with a view to clarifying which permanence option is most appropriate taking into account a range of factors which include the child's family relationships, age, level of behavioural difficulties, capacity to attach and the need for continuing contact. A chapter on Permanency is contained in the Adoption - Regional Policy and Procedures which will be implemented with effect 1/10/2006. The Department's Adoption Strategy provides a very helpful framework. Fostering Strategy Following availability of funding from DHSSPS to support Fostering Strategy Implementation, a number of projects are under consideration, including:- • Uplift of BO Model rates • Regional recruitment/marketing • 24/7 Support line • Regional and local training support • Local recruitment/assessment • Family Group Conferencing • Enhanced Link Workers “Children Matter” Task Force The WHSSB plans to carry out a strategic review of placements ‘sites’ for LAC Children, to address: • Current configuration of residential places • Intensive support fostering • Interfaces between residential care, fostering and fieldwork • Need for ISU • Emphasis on intensive family support 22 Key Result Area Progress Partnership Working and Collaboration The Sub-Committee accepts that the range of needs of Looked After Children can only be met through collaborative working and are seeking to build on existing arrangements in the areas of health, mental-health and educational needs. The implementation of the initiatives under the Children and Young People’s Funding Package will provide opportunities for collaborative working. Young Persons Participation The Cross Border Youth Participation Project has been working with Trust staff to improve engagement with young people who are looked after in the planning and monitoring of services. VOYPIC has also undertaken research with young people on the operation of Care-Reviews which contributes to discussion within Trusts about different aspects of the Review arrangements. The Secretary of State’s Funding Package has made available £0.66 million in 2006/07 and 2007/08 to develop on independent advocacy and peer mentoring service for care-experienced children and young people to help them engage actively with the looked after system. Range of Support Services Trusts have been auditing the services available to them to support Looked After Children and Young People specific services. Janus Projects provided by Extern have had current funding extended until March 2007 (Foyle Trust) and March 2008 (Sperrin Lakeland Trust). Continuation beyond this from existing sources depends on funding priorities for the respective funders. Arrangements are being made to have an independent evaluation of Janus carried out in the Foyle Trust area. Short-term funding was available until 31 March 2006 for a support service for children/young people in Foster Care (provided by SOLIS). 23 5 CHILDREN WITH A DISABILITY Strategic Objective: To develop a range of services in the Western area, which build on children’s strengths, provide integrated and linked services, involve those who use the services, support families and carers, and promote the rights of disabled children and young people. 5.1 The Children with a Disability Sub-Committee has continued to be chaired by Noel Quigley, Commissioner, WHSSB and has increased its membership to include additional representation from voluntary organisations providing services to children with a disability and from parents themselves. 5.2 In terms of a policy back-drop to the Sub-Committees activities, two main issues were of particular interest:- i) The implementation of the Special Education Needs and Disability (NI) Order, 2005 which addressed the duties and responsibilities to meet the specialist educational needs of children and the issue of disability discrimination in education. ii) The Children and Young People Funding Package announced by Peter Hain in March 2006 indicating additional funding in 2006/07 (£5.9 million) and 2007/08 (£6.675 million). This funding will be used to: • Establish multi-disciplinary support teams to provide support services to schools and other settings within the extended schools and early years arrangements. • Establish 2-3 Child and Adolescent Crisis Response Teams. • Provide Support with the transition to adulthood through the development of age-specific day care and improved social and lifeskills training. 5.3 Key Result Areas Key Result Area Progress Transition Planning Within the Children Package funding will be secured to appoint Transition Workers and develop transitional services to ensure that every young person will have transitional plan developed. 24 Key Result Area Progress Common Assessment Framework Planners continue to seek to influence the DHSSPS to develop a Common Assessment Framework. Integrated Service Provision The Barnardos Key Worker Project (funded by Executive Programme funding) has been developing the concept of key worker during this period. Information The Sub-Committee through WHSSB Commissioned an information booklet for parents from Family Information Group. Awareness Training Through the Western Area Child Care Partnership, a programme of training has been undertaken for staff working in the Early Years sector to increase awareness of the rights and needs of children with a disability. This was supported in the Omagh/Fermanagh areas with the employment, through MENCAP, of a Play Development Worker whose role was to support the integration of Children with a Disability into Sure Start and Early Years Project. Young People’s Participation Through Children’s Services Planning, the Sub-Committee has been in liaison with the cross-border Young Peoples Participation Project to explore the methods of improving young people’s participation and to identify opportunities to actively involve young people in planning/monitoring services. Short-Term Support The Sub-Committee is currently completing an audit of available short-term support services with their funding streams to:- i) identify gaps; ii) identify funding pressures in existing services; iii) identify examples of good practice from elsewhere. 25 Key Result Area Progress Assistive Technology A DHSSPS Regional Group has been set up to develop a strategic framework to guide the development of assistive technology across programmes of care. DID YOU KNOW THAT At 31 March 2005, there were 2,198 children/young people on Module V of the Child Health System. Each child/young person on the system may have several types of disability. This represents a rate of 24.7 per 1000 of the population aged 0-19. 1,571, 71% of those registered have a learning disability. The number of children/young people on Module V has risen from 1,892 at 30 November 2001 to 2,198 at 31 March 2005, an increase of 306 or 16%. During the same time, the number of learning disabled has risen from 1,345 to 1,571 an increase of 226 or 17% At May 2006, there were 323 children diagnosed with ASD and included on the Child Health System. 107 of these have ASD only; 216 have ASD and a Learning Disability. At 30 June 2006, 194 children were waiting ASD Assessment. The Western Education & Library Board had 1,945 Statemented children at October 2005. 26 6 CHILDREN WITH EMOTIONAL, BEHAVIOURAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC DIFFICULTIES Strategic Objective: To achieve better outcomes for children and young people with emotional, psychological, psychiatric and behavioural problems through better collaborative planning and practice by the key agencies, and with particular emphasis on prevention 6.1 The Sub-Committee for Children with Emotional, Behavioural, Psychological or Psychiatric difficulties has continued to meet during this year under the chair of Jim Simpson, Service Planner, WHSSB. 6.2 A continuing concern of the Sub-Committee has been the service gap in terms of mental health services for young people aged 16-19 years with issues around capacity and appropriate location of accountability. 6.3 There has been a number of continuing developments and new initiatives which provide positive progress in this area:- (i) The development of early intervention services in schools through the NSPCC School Counselling Programme and the Chance for Change Project. The Children and Young Peoples funding package launched in March 2006 indicated an additional funding of £1.75 million in 2006/07 and £1.8 million in 2007/08 to expand school-based counselling support. (ii) The cross border project “Getting It Together”, led by NCB with support from the Youth Participation Project, has been helping a group of young people from both sides of the border to address the issue of emotional well-being. The group is in the process of designing material/resources for use in peer-led work on promoting positive emotional health. 6.4 The Children and Young People funding package announced in March 2006 is viewed as a welcome additional funding for the period April 2006 – March 2008 to improve outcomes for children. The package includes:- 27 • Extended Schools (£10 million per year) • School – Based Counselling Support (£1.75 million/£1.8 million) • Multi-disciplinary Support Teams (£4 million per year) • Child and Adolescent Crisis Response Teams (£0.8 million/£1.6 million) 6.5 Emotional, Behavioural, Psychological or Psychiatric Disorders - Key Result Areas Key Result Area Progress Supporting Schools The Sub Committee remains committed to the concept of the “extended” or “full service” school. The recent announcement of funding in the Children and Young Peoples Funding Package provides the opportunity to collaborate on this development when Department of Education implementation plans are clarified. 16-19 Year Old Mental Health Service The sub-group is fully convinced of the need to fully extend access to CAMHS for young people under 18 years. A key number of actions are in progress. • Setting up of Intensive Crisis Management Service 14-18’s. • Redesign of CAMHS to include 16/17’s currently excluded. • Regional commitment to Tier 4 Services. • Commitment to Children’s Directorates. Looked After Children The Sub-committee recognises the value of an outcomes based approach to planning for Looked After Children and the need for ongoing monitoring of the impact of dedicated mental health related staff on the Looked After system. Plans are to be developed to ensure regular feedback in collaboration with the Looked After Sub-group. 28 Key Result Area Progress Autism The Sub-group are fully in support of the development by the WHSSB, in collaboration with other agencies, users and carers to develop a Western Area Strategic Framework. This will govern in the first instance, a comprehensive approach to assessment and diagnosis; plans to further develop services of Early Intervention, Support and Therapeutic Intervention will also be put in place. Eating Disorders The Sub-group will monitor progress made by the Regional Eating Disorders Network; a bid is currently being prepared on a 4 Board basis for specific and additional investment within CAMHS teams to develop specialist Eating Disorder capacity. Promoting Emotional Health and Well-Being • The ongoing development of school-based services eg NSPCC School Counselling and the Chance for Change Project has contributed to the expansion of a range of early intervention services. The Sub- Committee will be monitoring the outcomes of the Chance for Change projects with a view to examining possibilities for wider application. • The Sub-Committee continues to support the work of a CAWT Project on the development of a youth led emotional wellbeing programme. Coordinating and Developing Multi-Systemic Programmes The Sub-Committee wishes to consider the potential for developing a range of programmes within the context of emergent planning for a Children’s Directorate which will enshrine integrated provision for children and young people. 29 DID YOU KNOW THAT During 2004/05, there were 864 young people referred to Adult Mental Health Teams, 362 < 20 years and 502 aged 20-24 years. At 31 March 2005, there were 605 young people on the caseload of Adult Mental Health Teams, 126 < 20 years and 479 aged 20-24 years. During 2004/05, there were 317 young people admissions to Adult Wards, 130 < 20 years and 187 aged 20-24 years. At 31March 2006, there were 282 children/young people on the waiting list for Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and there were 500 children on their caseloads. 30 7 CHILDREN IN NEED OF PROTECTION Strategic Objective: • To ensure that children are protected from physical, sexual and emotional abuse and from neglect. • To ensure that preventative services are coordinated in a way that ensures that the greatest impact and effect can be secured for the benefit of families in the Western area. • To fully develop an outcomes-based approach to child protection involving all agencies. 7.1 Key Result Areas Key Result Area Progress Policies & Procedures for Inter-Agency Work The WACPC have now agreed Regional Policy & Procedures for child protection which were implemented on the 01/04/05. Copies were provided to a range of disciplines and multidisciplinary awareness training was arranged across the Board area. The WACPC continues to monitor the implementation of the Policy & Procedures and have assisted Altnagelvin Hospital develop child protection policies based on the Regional Policy & Procedures. Thresholds for Intervention Throughout the year Foyle Trust have continued to address thresholds for intervention which has also been commented upon in the recent SSI inspection. Sperrin Trust have now also adopted the Foyle Model of Duty & Assessment Team which will bring consistency in applying the Threshold Model. It is anticipated that the Thresholds for Intervention will continue to be addressed by the development of Gateway Teams in 06-07. The DHSSPS will also lead on the development and implementation of a Single Assessment Tool in 2006/07. 31 Key Result Area Progress Development of Child Protection Panels Both Child Protection Panels have reviewed membership to be inclusive. Both Panels also report directly into the ACPC forum on a regular basis to inform the overall work of both Panels. The Principal Social Worker has also become a member of the Trust Panels. Developing Therapeutic Services Family and children have access to a wide range of therapeutic services from CAMHS, social work intervention, psychological services and so on _ but this will require additional development in 2006/07. Communication Sperrin Trust commissioned research facilitated by VOYPIC on a child consultation model which needs to be implemented across the Trust area. The ACPC also produce an annual report and business plan. Following a recent SSI inspection the WACPC will also produce an abridged version for dissemination across a wider audience. A Parents Diary has also been produced and will be disseminated in 2006/07. Further work is required in actioning a communication strategy. Business Planning The business plan now forms part of the WACPC Annual Report and forms the basis of work throughout the year. Monitoring The WACPC have developed an Audit Sub Committee with the Terms of Reference agreed. The committee is made up of staff from the Trusts and Boards and will produce an activity plan to inform work proposals. Training and Development The WACPC has not been able to attract funding to support the appointment of an Independent Trainer for the WACPC. Training is facilitated by the Children Order Trainer but is not in a position to address the training needs comprehensively. 32 Key Result Area Progress Links with MASRAM The PBNI now report directly into the WACPC on a regular basis to advise on MASRAM activity and developments. Public Communication Strategy A public communication strategy was not actioned during the year. The WACPC did contribute to the planning of the ACPC annual conference. Communication with Children, Young People and Families VOYPIC have developed a child consultation model which needs to be reviewed and implemented across the Board area in 2006/07. 33 8 YOUTH JUSTICE Strategic Objective: To work to prevent offending by increasing the range and coherence of services in the Western Area (along the continuum from prevention of rehabilitation) which promote the social inclusion of children and young people who are at different levels of risk of offending or who have been adjudicated on by the courts. 8.1 The Youth Justice Sub-Committee during the 2005/06 period met under the Chairmanship of Andrew Rooke, PBNI until his transfer toward the end of the year. The Sub-Committee also experienced a change in membership with the replacement of representation from a number of agencies including Extern and Foyle HSS Trust. 8.2 In the 2005/06 period, the Sub-Committee was able to support a number of Youth Justice projects or a non-recurrent basis because of “slippage” funding within the allocation made to the Sub-Committee by the Youth Justice Agency (previously from the Northern Ireland Office). The projects included Galliagh ‘Off the Streets’ Initiative, Solis, NIACRO, Young Independents Groups and Include Youth. In addition the contracts continued with Extern for the provision of Janus Projects in the Derry, Limavady and Strabane areas. Similar projects in Omagh/Fermanagh have been funded by Executive Programme funding. 8.3 Key Result Areas Key Result Area Progress Service Model for Youth Justice The Youth Justice Sub-Committee has completed and received interagency agreement on the Youth Justice Strategy for the West. This strategy has been delayed due to the development of a Regional Strategy by the Youth Justice Agency in collaboration with the Children’s Services Planning Sub- Committees (Youth Offending) of the four Children & Young People’s Committees. The models outlined in the Strategy for the West are being considered in the context of a Regional Strategy. 34 Key Result Area Progress Community Safety The Sub-Committee has actively engaged to differing levels with the Community Safety Partnerships in the five District Council areas in the western Board area and will be including their objectives into the local implementation of the Youth Justice Strategy. Service Provision The Sub-Committee considers that its main business of multi-agency planning has been disrupted by the extensive discussion and debate around the allocation of funding. Due to the lack of a Regional Strategy and the uncertainty of funding being sustained, efforts were made to allocate available funding (outside the standing commitments) in an open and transparent way, recognising the limitations of short-term funding. It is hoped that, future funding allocations will help to address priorities arising from a local implementation of the Regional Youth Justice Strategy in a joint commissioning context. Young People’s Participation The Sub-Committee has liaised with the Youth Participation project to consider the active engagement of young people to the planning and monitoring of services. The local Implementation Plan in respect of the Regional Youth Justice Strategy will be subject to a consultation process with young people. Information and Awareness of Need y The Information Department (through the Children’s Information Officer) has been collating relevant information from a number of sources including PSNI, Probation Board, Youth Justice Agency and Trusts and making this available on the WACYPC website. y With the new Regional Youth Justice Strategy, the information available and required will be reviewed by the Sub- Committee. 35 Key Result Area Progress Policy Developments The Youth Justice Sub-Committee has been actively participating in the development of the Regional Youth Strategy which remains work in progress. Informal Systems The Sub-Committee has been unable to engage with the informal youth justice sector while awaiting a clarification from the Northern Ireland Office in respect of a policy direction. The Committee recognises and acknowledges the current activities in the informal sector. Youth Conferencing Youth Conferencing has been piloted in Tyrone & Fermanagh by the Youth Justice Agency with a planned expansion into the Derry area in the immediate future. Prisoner Families The Sub-Committee has improved awareness of the vulnerability of children in the families of prisoners/offenders. It is currently considering a designated needs assessment to explore the extent of need and the development of support services which can be accessed as required. 36 9 HOMELESSNESS – CHILDREN AND FAMILIES Strategic Objective: To plan, coordinate and develop through interagency partnership working, the range of housing provision and support services necessary for children, families and young people who are vulnerable due to homelessness. 9.1 The Sub-Committee on Homeless Children and Families met on a number of occasions during the year under the Chair of Wendy Kirk, NIHE. With her active leadership, the Sub-Committee continued to oversee the local development of support services for families affected by homelessness and to promote an inter-agency approach to meeting identified needs. Wendy’s retirement at the end of the year saw the reins handed over to Walter Mullan, NIHE. 9.2 The local implementation of the Supporting People initiative provided the main focus of activity, both in terms of young people (mostly led through the 16+ Sub Committee) and of families with children. The initial development of floating support provision across the area has provided a flexible and responsive support framework which can help to coordinate access to a range of appropriate service providers to meet a range of needs. 9.3 Homelessness – Children and Families Key Result Areas Key Result Area Progress Partnership Model for Inter-Agency Working The development of a Multi-Agency Steering Group in the Foyle Trust area provided an opportunity to develop a collaborative approach to needs assessment, planning and monitoring services. It is intended to further develop this planning period. Development of Initiatives for Young People See under 16+ Sub Committee 37 Key Result Area Progress Systems for Monitoring Need Members of the Sub Committee with Tommy Doherty, Information Department worked with the floating support providers in Foyle and Sperrin Lakeland Trusts to design and implement a Management Information system to capture needs assessment/service throughput in relation to homeless families. This will contribute to the identification of gaps which need to be addressed. 38 10 SIXTEEN PLUS Strategic Objective: To promote the health & wellbeing of vulnerable young people aged 16-21 years by strengthening multi-agency working in the planning, development and monitoring of a range of services based on assessed need. 10.1 The Sixteen Plus Sub-Committee, chaired initially by Deirdre Coyle (Foyle Trust) and latterly by Vivian McConvey (VOYPIC), spent a significant part of its time in this year on the implementation of the Children (Leaving Care) Act (NI) 2002 from 1st September 2005. Deirdre Coyle was appointed Regional Implementation Officer but remained in close contact with the Sub Committee. 10.2 Key Result Areas Key Result Area Progress Implementation of the Children (Leaving Care) Act (NI) 2002 The Sub-Committee has been actively involved in Regional Working Groups addressing the following key developments under the new legislation which became operational in September 2005:- • Policy & Procedures • Financial Impact Assessment • Role of Personal Advisor • Pathway Planning • Support & Accommodation Needs • Education, Training & Employment 39 Key Result Area Progress Accommodation & Support • The Sub-Committee has supported the development of floating support services in Foyle (FHASS) and Sperrin Lakeland (NCH) • Continuing developments to improve the range of supported accommodation have been progressed with the planned and pursuing of projects in Derry (Francis Street, Strand Road and Limavady) developments in Sperrin Lakeland Trust have been held up due to difficulty in locating suitable sites within the cost structure. • Work is being undertaken locally and regionally to develop protocols for NIHE and Health & Social Services Trusts to improve the assessment of and support for young people presenting as homeless. • There is currently a review being undertaken through the Children Matter Leaving Care Sub-Committee to extend the 5 year strategic plan to meet the accommodation and support needs of vulnerable young people with an identification of gaps and costed proposals to meet these. Health & Emotional Well Being • The Sub-Committee has been working with colleagues in the EBPP Sub Committee to consider possible service developments at Tier 2 which might be located in a young person friendly and accessible base. • Links have been established with Health Promotion and Investing for Health to consider areas of mutual interest for development eg young parents. 40 Key Result Area Progress Tracking Needs and Outcomes The Sub-Committee with support from the Information Department at WHSSB have developed a Management Information System to support the tracking of needs and outcomes. At this time, a Regional After Care Management Information System is being developed which will possibly require some amendment to the local system. Training, Employment & Learning • The Sub-Committee has established close working links with the newly appointed DEL Social Inclusion staff within the Training Programme. • Funding has been available in this year to promote training and employment outcomes for young care-leavers and has been used to purchase specific inputs from Young Independent Groups and Include Youth. The Sub Committee is currently preparing a specification to tenders for a designated support service to address this area of need. Advocacy, Representation and Entitlement • The Interreg- funded Youth Participation Project has been actively involved with the Leaving and After Care Teams to further engage with Young People on the implementation of the new legislation. • The Sub-Committee is considering the information needs of young people an their rights and expectations under the new legislation. • The development of an advocacy service is being actively promoted and the announcement of significant funding under the Children and Young People Funding Package will enable this to be addressed. 41 DID YOU KNOW THAT During 2005/06, 41 young people left care in the Western Board Area. 25 % of care leavers remain with Foster Parents. A recent study of 135 care leavers in the Western Board Area showed that: • 29% were in Training or Further Education • 14% were in Employment • 45% were Unemployed • 8% were on Incapacity Benefit • 4% were in Prison • 22% were Parents • 38% had been Convicted of an Offence 2.5% of the child population aged 0-19 in the Western Board have a disability; for those young people who have left care, the figures are 13%. 1.3% of the child population aged 0-19 in the Western Board were referred to Mental Health Services during 2004/05; for those young people who have left care, the figures are 16%. 42 11 THE WESTERN AREA CHILD CARE PLAN Strategic Objective: The Western Area Child Care Partnership took its Objectives from Children First, the Northern Ireland Childcare Strategy (1999) that aimed “to ensure high quality, affordable childcare in Northern Ireland”. The policy outlined measures to be taken to improve quality, increase access, provide better information and make childcare more affordable. The recent announcement of funding under the Children & Young People's Funding Package and the OFMDFM 10 Year Strategy, “Our Children and Young People – Our Pledge,” has provided the Childcare Partnership with renewed objectives and an associated funding stream to build on the achievements initiated under the Children First Policy. 11.1 The Western Area Child Care Partnership has met regularly during this period under the Chairmanship of Eamon McTernan (WHSSB). Much of the work of the Partnership is undertaken by a number of Sub-Groups including:- • The Quality Assurance and Development (QUAD) Sub-Committee (Co- Chaired by Winnie Kelly, SureStart Omagh and Danny Cassidy, Altram) which addresses the issues of quality standards and training. • The Planning, Information and Communication Sub Group (PICS) (Chaired by Gerry Conway, Children’s Services Planner) which concentrates on the development of information systems which support a needs-led approach to planning. • The Strategic Funding Panel chaired by Jackie O’Loughlin (Playboard) which makes funding recommendations to the Partnership in relation to allocations and supports their monitoring. 11.2 The Partnership continues to support the Local Early Years fora in each current District Council. The fora are represented on the Child Care Partnership but provide a local focal point for planning local initiatives to support the Early Years sectors. 43 11.3 At the end of the review period, the Partnership was awaiting the review of Children first and the launch of the 10 year strategy for Children and Young People in Northern Ireland. This lack of a policy direction has inhibited the setting of clear longer-term objectives for the development of early years in the West. 11.4 There are currently 6 Sure Start Projects within the Western area offering a wide-range of services to children aged 0-3 years and their parents. The Partnership hosted a conference in 26 January 2006 at the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh to celebrate the Sure Start Projects in the area. 11.5 The Children and Young People’s Funding Package announced in March 2006 included an additional £10.85 million over the next two years for the development of early years provision. Regional SureStart funding will increase as follows:- • In 2006/07, there will be an additional £1.75 million rising to £3 million in 2007/08 for the expansion of SureStart for children within the 20% most deprived wards. • £0.75 million will be available in 2006/07 for a planned developmental programme for 2 year olds rising to £2 million in 2007/08. • An allocation of £0.65 million will be available in 2006/07 for SureStart projects to identify and meet the need for day care, rising to £1.2 million in 2007/08. Patricia McVeigh, DHSSPS with Speakers (L-R) Paula Barr, Josephine Doherty, Martina Storey, Winnie Kelly, Maeve Linton, Emma Breslin 44 • £0.6 million in 2006/07 and £0.8 million in 2007/08 will be available to provide the facilities of the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme in conjunction with SureStart. The impact of this announcement will be the need to plan for developments, ensuring that sufficient funding is made available across 27 electoral wards in the 20% most deprived which do not have access to SureStart provision. 11.6 The Child Care Partnership continues to administer a number of funding streams: Building Quality Childcare – which has secured £1.3million in funding over the last 3 years and is currently in the process of closing out. The programme’s formal date of closing is 31/12/06. DHSS&PS Sustainability Funding – which has secured £712,958 in funding over the last 2 years. Sustainability funding has allowed for a transition from the previous years when various European Union and Government initiatives were available to establish the childcare infrastructure. 11.7 The Western Area Child Care Partnership recognises the serious issue of sustainability in the early years sector. While funding from various sources has been welcomed over the past several years by the early years sector, the absence of policy direction has lead to a difficulties in planning for the longer-term sustainability of the sector. The Childcare Partnership sought to bridge this gap by providing training within to all early years service providers throughout the five District Council Areas. The programme was entitled: “Developmental Milestones to building a Successful Childcare Service”, which covered areas such as the importance of developing a short and long-term strategy, Marketing your services, Financial Planning, etc. The programme was very well received and the Childcare Partnership intends to provide further training during the current year based on feedback obtained through evaluations of the programme. 45 11.8 Western Area Child Care Plan – Key Result Areas Key Result Area Progress Mapping and Information • Completion of a Sustainability Audit • Updating of the Family Support Database • Completion of the Workforce Qualifications and Skills Audit • Mapping of all early years and educational services to coordinate spending plans for the “Children & Young People’s Funding Package. Development of Local Early Years Strategy based on regional Priorities With the bridging of the policy gap through the release of the Children & Young People’s Funding Package, and the 10 year Strategy for Children and Young People, the Childcare Partnership has been focusing on: • Delivery of the proposed Sure Start Expansion Programme • Supporting the delivery of the Extended Schools funding. • Ongoing development of the Early years Workforce • Undertaking User Involvement consultations • Distribution of funding to the sector through the Early Years Small Grants Scheme • Provision of an Integrated Play Advisor to support children with Special Needs and their families. Development of Registered Child Minding across the Western Board Area • Ongoing development of the local Childminding Strategy to increase the number of registered Childminders within the WCP Area. • Supporting the development of local Childminding Networks alongside the Sure Start Expansion Programme. Quality of Child Care Services • Training Audit • Consortium Training • Workforce Planning 46 Key Result Area Progress Accessibility of Early Years Services based on Need • Provision of training to the Workforce on meeting Basic and Specific Special Needs of Children. • Provision of the services of an Integrated Play Advisor for a third year, providing advise and support to families of children with special needs. • Provision of Information Workshops on Autism, Asthma and Eczema Management. • Provision of Irish Language Immersion Programme • Advocating for the need for additional supports for children of immigrant populations and how to meet their needs. Integrated Family Support Services • Participation on Locality Action Groups • Participation on Family Support Preventative Steering Group Consumer Involvement Consultation • Ongoing development of strategy to involve consumers in the planning of early years services. • Plans for consultation events around the development of the three New Sure Start projects. 47 12 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE Strategic Objective: To minimise the impact of domestic violence on children and young people in the Western area by developing inter-agency strategies for education, prevention and intensive support 12.1 The Domestic Violence Sub Committee has met on a regular basis under the Chair of Orla Conway, Women’s Aid. Its membership remains fairly mixed with representation from Women’s Aid, Social Care/Health Care in the Trust, WELB, PSNI, Barnardos and Derry Travellers Support Group. 12.2 In October 2005, the Government in Northern Ireland published “Tackling Violence at Home”, its Strategy for addressing domestic violence and abuse in Northern Ireland. The Strategy outlined actions under:- • Prevention - Including the education of children and young people about handling relationships and the unacceptable and criminal nature of domestic violence. • Protection & Justice - Which seeks to ensure that victims are given the protection they deserve and that perpetrators are held fully accountable for their crimes. • Support - To ensure access by victims to a range of support services available from different agencies. Included in this is the provision of support to children and young people affected by domestic violence with the proposed production of guidelines for professionals and the roll-out of Barnardos Risk Assessment Model to all Boards/relevant Trusts. • Other Priorities - Which do not fall neatly within the other strands. They include the development of good practice standards/guidelines, a training strategy, data collection, information-sharing, performance monitoring and inter-agency cooperation and communications 48 12.3 Domestic Violence (Children & Young People) – Key Result Areas Key Result Area Progress Mapping and Information The Sub-Committee gathers information on needs from different sources eg PSNI, SOSCARE/CLAN (Health & Social Services Information Systems), Women’s Aid. Early Support Initial discussions have been undertaken to:- (i) Develop awareness of domestic violence and support services available through SureStart/Early Years projects (ii) Work with Youth Justice Agency to deliver Programmes on Building for Healthy Relationships. Training (i) Training on and the development of a domestic violence policy has been undertaken with Health & Social Services Trust/Board and efforts are being made to involve other statutory organisations. (ii) Discussion has been held with the Western Child Care Partnership to include Domestic Violence Training or the range of training programmes available to early ears staff. (iii) Women’s Aid have undertaken training on Domestic Violence with Contact Centre staff. Unmet Need The identification of unmet need is being addressed initially through the youth participation approach. It is recognised that many support services remain dependent on short-term funding and their sustainability to always a problem. “Tackling Violence at Home” Strategy The Sub-Committee has contributed through Action Plan to raising the environment of Agency responsibility in addressing the Strategy’s objectives. 49 Key Result Area Progress Risk Assessment The Sub-Committee has explored the Barnardos Risk Assessment Model. Its future use will have to fit with the development of a Common Assessment Framework and appropriate screening tools. Members of the Sub-Committee have been working with local Inter-Agency fora on the development of screening tools which will be completed in the next year. Involving Children and Young People The Sub Committee has considered and is about to undertake activities which will:- a) explore the experiences of children and young people who have accessed services related to domestic violence; b) explore the awareness of the impact of domestic violence on children and young people through joint work with the Youth Participation Project. Policy Review Members of the Sub-Committee have encouraged agencies and employers in the Western area to respond to the “Domestic Violence in the Workplace” guidelines produced by NIO and DHSSPS. 50 13 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE TRAVELLING COMMUNITY Strategic Objective: To develop a profile of the needs of the population of Traveller Children and Young People in WHSSB area, considering the key messages from research and reports. To draw up a service specification and business case for a dedicated service to support Children and Young People and their families, taking full account of all aspects of traveller culture. 13.1 The Western Area Children and Young People Committee established a Working Group under the Chair of Brendan Bonner, IFH Manager to develop an initiative targeting the health and well being of traveller children. The Working Group was a multi-agency, cross-sectoral group and developed an initiative entitled “Travelling Children Enrichment Programme. 13.2 The Programme (TCEP) is an integrated initiative to address the core determinants of ill-health in traveller children around the themes of:- • Self-esteem • Learning • Diet/Nutrition • Oral Health • Safety • Physical Activity 13.3 The target group for the initiative are the under 5’s with the programme targeting the children’s mothers. The concept is to provide the mothers with new skills and knowledge, which will help them lead on another child’s development and influence the lifestyle behaviour of the wider family and traveller community. 13.4 The Working Group developed a proposal for a pilot initiative to develop, deliver and evaluate an integrated programme on two sites. Kay partners would be the Derry Travellers Support Group and the Omagh Traveller Support Network. The 26 week Programme was costed at £33,200 but the Working Group was unable to identify an immediate source of funding. This remains the intention of the Group. 51 13.5 In February 2006, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland announced their intention to carry out research into the adequacy and effectiveness of educational provision of traveller children and young people in Northern Ireland. It is hoped to have a final report available by mid- October 2006. 13.6 On 7 March 2006, the Secretary of State announced a funding package to address the most pressing needs of children and young people. Among the initiatives, under the leadership of the Department of Education, was £100,000 in 2006/07 to “increase the enrolment of traveller Children in pre- School settings. The implementation of the initiatives has not yet been clarified. 52 14 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES Strategic Objective: To improve key outcomes in relation to child health, maternal health and young people’s health, based on integrated assessment of health needs, addressing the rights of children and young people, public expectations, workforce planning, partnership working and the strengthening of local infrastructures. 14.1 The Sub Committee has continued to meeting during 2005/06 under the Chair of Siobhan McIntyre, Service Planner, WHSSB. 14.2 Key Result Areas Key Result Area Progress Service Planning Integrated Service Planning has improved with the progression of Strategic Commissioning Teams, including collaborative approaches to investments from the Children and Young Peoples Funding package. Screening and Health Surveillance Programmes Hall 4 has been initiated across the Board under project management as a corporate objective. Investment has been secured to improve areas of Early Intervention and Family Support. Service Framework for Children with Autism The Board has identified Autism as a corporate objective and a Board wide strategy for ASD is currently being finalised for consultation. Significant progress has been made in this area with a particular focus on the development of area wide diagnosis and Assessment teams and Early Interventions. Funding has also been secured from DHSSPS to support treatment and AHP services 53 Key Result Area Progress Review of Children & Young People’s Palliative Care Services The Board’s Palliative Care Forum continues to drive the action plan from the review of services in the WHSSB. Significant investments have been secured through reform and modernisation and the HWIP to enhance Paediatric Nursing input for respite and Tier 4/out of hour’s services. The group are currently awaiting the outcome of Big Lottery proposals to further develop Day Care Services. Health Promotion The Board’s Health Improvement Advisory Panel sets the overall direction for health promotion and ensures that the needs of children and young people are comprehensively addressed in statutory and community settings. Inter-agency steering groups take forward the actions of the health promotion strategies using substantial investment to assess need and develop models of good practice. The areas covered by the strategies include obesity, alcohol, drugs and smoking, accident prevention, oral health, teen pregnancy, breastfeeding, mental health and suicide prevention, and chronic disease management. Through the HWIP, capacity to deliver is enhanced when pilot projects are mainstreamed. Maternal Health The Board in conjunction with the Trusts are finalising local pathways of provision, including the identification of designated Midwives, Health Visitor’s and CPN’s in each locality for follow up and referral as well as the development community partnerships. Children and Young People who are Ill and those with Complex Needs Under reform and modernisation, funds have resourced unfunded packages of care for children currently in community settings including social support and respite. Additional Paediatric Nurses and Health Care Assistants have been secured across 3 Trusts 54 Key Result Area Progress Supporting Families and Communities In conjunction with the family support agenda, additional funding was identified to appoint a temporary project manager to oversee the development of the family support strategy. In addition the Board also secured permanent funding to appoint Family Support Workers for Level 2 services across Health-Visiting caseloads. Breastfeeding Rates The Board continues to support Trusts with the progression of UNICEF accreditation, under the directions of the Board’s Breast Feeding Strategy Group The Board has supported investment for community development initiatives including Peer support and the appointment of 3 permanent Breast Feeding Co-ordinators in each Trust. Human Resources A review of AHP Services continues to refocus the future requirements for Children’s services, with additional investment for AHP. In addition to this, Child Protection Nurse advisors are now in place in all Trusts. The Board have also secured investment to enhance training and development of staff working with children in a number of key areas.

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