Children’s Services Partnership
Integrated Children’s Services Plan
2009 – 2012
September 2009
1
Introduction
This is the fifth Children’s Services Plan for North Lanarkshire, produced by the Children’s
Services Partnership (CSP) on behalf of the North Lanarkshire Partnership (NLP) for the
period 2009 - 2012. The plan builds on the work of the CSP over the past four years and
seeks to ensure that the direction and actions are consistent with other plans that affect
children, young people and their families.
Most children and young people’s needs are met by their families or carers and supported
by the provision of universal services such as education, health and community services.
The CSP, whilst keeping sight of universal services, focuses on services that target the
most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and require an integrated approach from
more than one agency. The focus of this plan is on key joint strategic priorities identified by
the CSP.
2
Section 2 - Our vision
Our vision for Lanarkshire’s children and young people is that they are given every
opportunity and support to become confident individuals, successful learners, effective
contributors and responsible citizens. Every child has the right to be safe, healthy, active,
nurtured, achieving, respected, responsible and included and we will bring together our
collective resources to make sure this happens.
This requires every practitioner working with children, young people, parents or carers to
do everything possible to make sure that children’s needs are at the centre of assessment,
planning and action. The focus is on building a network of support, starting from the family
and the community to the universal services of health and education. Targeted help is
applied only where appropriate and proportionate.
3
Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC)
‘Getting it right for every child’ underpins our approach to the delivery of children and
family services in North Lanarkshire. We are working together to achieve a positive shift in
cultures, systems and practice to embed a ‘Getting it right for every child’ approach into
everything we do. We want to support every child, regardless of their circumstances, to
grow, develop and reach their full potential. This includes working within a common
framework of understanding to identify, at the earliest stage, children, young people and
families who are vulnerable and require additional support and to help children and young
people through the key transition points in their lives.
‘Getting it right for every child’ is governed by a Pan Lanarkshire Programme Board which
reports to children’s services groups in North and South. In North Lanarkshire, the
implementation of ‘Getting it right for every child’ will be driven through the Improving
Children’s Services Group. Each of the sub groups within the Children’s Services
Partnership structure will have a responsibility to achieve the aims and objectives of
‘Getting it right for every child’.
The three overarching aims of the programme are to:
1. Progress culture change which supports the successful implementation of ‘Getting it
right for every child’.
2. Establish a single children’s services system based on an integrated framework of
developing children and young people’s wellbeing.
3. Establish a getting it right practice approach across Lanarkshire.
The implementation of ‘Getting it right for every child’ will be reflected throughout this plan.
Baseline data in relation to culture, systems and practice change will be used to monitor
progress at regular intervals and inform updates to this plan.
Respecting difference
All people will have an equal right to advice, support and access to services. They will be
involved in decisions affecting their lives, irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, sexual
orientation, economic circumstances, religion or belief and state of health. Services and
supports should be assessed and delivered to recognise each of the equalities strands
noted above. The partnership will ensure it actively monitors equal opportunities, adheres
to its statutory duties and reports on its performance.
4
Section Three – Our strategies
Single outcome agreement
The outcome agreement forms the basis of a new relationship between the Scottish
Government and North Lanarkshire Partnership based on trust and mutual respect. The
concordat put in place between the Scottish Government and COSLA in November 2007,
sets out the terms of a new relationship between the Scottish Government and local
government and underpins the funding to be provided to local government over the period
2008-09 to 2010-11. A central proposal of the concordat was the creation of a single
outcome agreement (SOA) between each community planning partnership and the
Scottish Government, based on 15 key national outcomes. The national outcomes reflect
the Scottish Government National Performance Framework and also reflect the corporate
and community plan commitments across Scotland’s councils and community planning
partnerships. The single outcome agreement approach to public service delivery is
beginning to deliver the following for North Lanarkshire Council, its partners, its
communities and the Scottish Government:
Connect local and national outcomes:
The SOA approach allows North Lanarkshire Council and its partners the freedom to
deliver on outcomes that reflect local needs and circumstances, while making the
appropriate connections between those local outcomes and the most relevant national
outcomes.
Reduced ring fencing:
As a result of the concordat, elements of previously ring fenced funding have been
transferred into the council’s financial settlement. There remain a small number of
resources which continue to be distributed as specific grants. This is largely accounted for
by the council’s share of the new Fairer Scotland Fund. The reduction of ring-fencing
reinforces the council and its partners’ ability to align its spending priorities to a set of
shared local outcomes relevant to the communities of North Lanarkshire.
Less monitoring and reporting:
The performance reporting system associated with the SOA replaces the myriad of
existing systems and provides regular, timely and transparent reporting to the Scottish
Government on both national and local outcomes.
Better partnership working:
Many of the outcomes we are seeking to achieve in North Lanarkshire are dependent on
effective partnership working – particularly in relation to cross-cutting issues such as
health inequalities, community safety and employability. For this reason, our single
outcome agreement is a commitment between the government and North Lanarkshire
Partnership, based on outcomes which will be delivered jointly by the community planning
partners.
Cross-cutting theme – children and young people:
We have identified children and young people as a cross-cutting theme within our
community plan and have fully adopted national outcome 5 as a local outcome, Our
priority of supporting positive outcome for children impacts upon national outcomes 4, 7
and 8.
Local outcome
Our children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed
National
outcome
4, 5, 7 and 8
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Community plan
The purpose of the community plan is to identify the key issues the North Lanarkshire
Partnership aims to address over the next four years. It sets out how the partners will work
together to achieve positive outcomes for communities and how to achieve this vision for
North Lanarkshire by 2015.
Community planning is how key organisations across North Lanarkshire work together with
local communities to identify and solve local problems and improve services. Partnership
working is not always easy and can make demands on all community planning partners.
Despite this, North Lanarkshire Partnership is committed to partnership working and has
demonstrated success in a number of areas during the last community planning period
2004 - 2008.
Building on work to be carried out under the key themes, the partnership is clear that there
are a number of cross cutting themes that need to be addressed if it is to achieve positive
outcomes for the communities of North Lanarkshire. One of these key cross cutting
themes is children and young people.
Children and young people:
Regardless of their needs, children and families need to know where they can seek help,
know what help is available and be confident that the services they access are to the
highest standard.
Outcomes: Children and Young People
Over the next four years we will achieve the following outcomes:
•
•
•
Our young people are successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors
and responsible citizens.
Our children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed.
We have improved the life chances for children, young people and families at risk.
‘Getting It right for every child’ (2005) gives clear authority and responsibility to agencies
and professionals who work with children, families, local communities and each other, to
ensure that the services work together to provide positive outcomes for the child.
The partnership has decided that due to the important nature of this work the new
Integrated Children’s Services Plan will be integrated into the new community plan taking
account of a full range of the Scottish Government’s recommendations that support
children. The plan will describe a series of actions that the council and other community
planning partners intend to implement to improve and integrate services.
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Section 4 - Our structure
One of the priorities for the Children’s Services Partnership is to further develop the
structures and processes relating to integrated children’s services that have been in place.
The following structure has been agreed.
Children’s Services Partnership –
structure
Chief Officer’s
Group
Child Protection
Committee
North Lanarkshire
Partnership
Children’s Services
Partnership
Locality Planning Groups
Themed sub groups
Airdrie
Early years and child care
Bellshill
Additional support needs
Coatbridge
Cumbernauld
Improving
Children’s
Services
Group
Children, young people and
families affected by
substance misuse
Motherwell
Young people and youth
justice
Wishaw
Corporate parenting
Children, young people and family involvement
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There is a tiered approach to the delivery of integrated children’s services that includes the
Children’s Services Partnership, who ensure that joint operational arrangements are in
place to achieve agreed joint objectives, oversee the implementation of integrated work
and joint strategies and plans and delegate tasks as appropriate.
The five themed sub groups agree joint priorities and actions for each planning period
and provide corporate governance for each designated theme.
The six locality planning groups will promote and develop high quality integrated
services which give easy access to effective and targeted specialist services. Locality
groups will also be tasked with developing the workforce to meet the challenges of
integrated working.
These groups are supported by the Improving Children’s Services Group who facilitate
and support planning, monitoring and review, performance and quality assurance. They
will drive the GIRFEC agenda across all children’s services in North Lanarkshire.
The Child Protection Committee works closely with the CSP and is the driving force for
ensuring that agencies, individually and collectively, work to protect children and young
people as effectively as possible.
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Section 5 – Our children
Population
North Lanarkshire has an estimated total population of 324,680. The General Register
Office for Scotland Mid Year Estimate of Population for 2007 states that there are 80,397
children and young people in North Lanarkshire. These are broken down as follows:
Age 0 to 4
Age 5 to 9
Age 10 to 14
Age 15 to 19
19,559
19,171
20,266
21,401
Total
80,397
GROS Mid Year Estimates of Population 2007.
North Lanarkshire has the second largest share (9%) of the 15% most deprived areas in
Scotland, behind only Glasgow City (34%). (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation, 2006).
Almost 20% of the population, around 63,000 people, live within the 15% most deprived
areas.
A number of statistics relating to children, young people and their families are collated to
support performance management and information, monitoring and evaluating outcomes
and actions. These offer some context to the relatively small numbers of children and
young people who are at the heart of the work of the CSP and are included in section six.
In striving to achieve the vision for children and young people in North Lanarkshire there
has been recent positive feedback from the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education
(HMIe) joint inspection of services to protect children and young people. Although this
inspection had a particular focus on child protection the findings can be applied more
widely is considerable cross over of staff, services, management, leadership, structures,
systems and processes.
Inspectors found the following key strengths in how well children were protected and their
needs met in North Lanarkshire.
•
•
•
•
•
•
The establishment of trusting and consistent relationships with children.
The effective support programmes in schools, pre-school centres and the
community to keep them safe.
A range of innovative and effective approaches, co-ordinated by the child protection
committee, to raise public awareness of child protection.
An innovative inter agency child protection training programme which had been
delivered to a wide range of staff was well attended and evaluated.
Ownership of a shared vision to protect children by staff at all levels.
Effective partnership working at all levels to protect children promoted by chief
officers and senior managers.
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In considering “how effective is the help children get when they need it?” HMIe positively
concluded:
“Children and families received effective help from services when needed. Staff listened to
children, communicated well with them and respected their views. Children felt safe and
knew where to get help. Staff worked well together to take very prompt action when
concerns about children were raised. Children and families were able to access support
from a wide range of services which were targeted to help them before problems
developed. Children requiring specialist support had their needs met from a wide range of
services.”
The Social Work Inspection Agency performance inspection report of North Lanarkshire
social work services (February 2009) also commented positively on children’s services.
Although the inspection was specific to social work services, partner agencies are
contributing to the positive experiences and outcomes for children, young people and their
carers.
There were a number of recommendations from both of these inspections that have been
or will be followed up with action plans and progress will be monitored by the inspection
agencies. The recommendations have been incorporated into the priorities of relevant sub
groups and the Children’s Services Partnership will also have a role in monitoring the
progress of relevant aspects of these action plans.
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Section 6 - Our action plans
Each of the sub groups have identified priorities and actions for the next three years. To
follow is a brief introduction to each sub group with the priorities listed and, where relevant,
some of the key statistics that inform each group. Details of each priority can be found in
the action plans at the end of this section.
A - Children’s Services Partnership – improving children’s services group
There are a number of shared priorities and actions that cut across the structures. These
are:
1. Progress cultural change which supports the successful implementation of ‘Getting
it right for every child’.
2. Establish a single children’s services system based on an integrated framework of
developing children and young people’s wellbeing.
3. Establish a ‘Getting it right' practice approach across North Lanarkshire.
B - Early years and childcare
The focus of this group is on ensuring the right of all young children to high quality
relationships, environments and services which meet their needs. These needs are
identified as emotional and physical wellbeing, play, learning and social relationships. This
reflects the renewed emphasis on early childhood as a critical period in breaking cycles of
poor outcomes.
Priorities for 2009 - 2012 are:
1. Implement a common identification and risk assessment policy and framework for
all services.
2. Support vulnerable families to provide a positive environment for their young
children.
3. Develop appropriate training opportunities for the children and young people’s
workforce to meet new legislative requirements.
There are 15 nursery centres located across the six geographical areas of the council that
provide services for children birth to three years. Places are allocated on a priority basis
and supported by agencies actively working with the child’s family.
In total there are approximately 12,075 children under three years in North Lanarkshire.
(General Register Officer 2008) 643 of these children are referred and allocated a priority
place in a birth to three years nursery or family centre. This can be further broken down as:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Children on the child protection register or subject to child protection procedures -73.
Children whom the authority has a statutory duty for at the pre school stage in line with
the Additional Support for Learning Act – 67.
Children referred as a result of a range of difficult family circumstances - 410.
Children from families where a concern or need has been identified by a professional
agency and where a nursery place would impact on the child and family circumstances
- 93.
Children with additional support needs – 88.
Children with an additional support plan – 63.
Looked after – 39.
Looked after and accommodated – 16.
Number of children in each category in birth to three services, May 2009.
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C - Additional support needs
This group has a focus on children and young people who require care, attention and
support because they have additional support needs or are affected by the additional
support needs of another member of their household.
The aim of this group is to ensure that children and young people with additional support
needs are recognised as early as possible, an integrated support package is provided and
that work is undertaken in partnership with children, young people and their families and
carers.
Priorities for 2009 -2012 are:
1. Implement a common transition policy and framework for all services.
2. Extend provision of appropriate post school destinations for young people with
additional support needs.
Key statistics informing the sub group are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Number of co-ordinated support plans at April 2009 – 621.
Number of children and young people attending an establishment for children and
young people with special educational needs – 821.
Number of children and young people accommodated in a residential school for
children and young people with special educational needs – 4.
Number of children and young people in an external (out with authority) placement
for children and young people with special educational needs – 48.
Number of children and young people in residential schools for children and young
people with social, emotional and behavioural needs – 8.
Number of children and young people in external (out with authority) day placement
for children and young people with social, emotional and behavioural needs – 33.
D - Children, young people and families affected by substance misuse
The agenda of this sub group is broad, covering topics that range from child protection to
the importance of robust transitional arrangements into adult services being in place. The
broad agenda makes it important to have effective strategic links between the sub group
and structures such as North Lanarkshire Addictions Partnership Board. This helps to
ensure a continuum of care for children, young people and families affected by substance
misuse.
This sub group has three main strands:
•
•
•
Education and prevention (early intervention) and diversion.
Children and families affected by parental substance misuse.
Services for young people with problematic substance use.
Priorities for 2009 - 2012 are:
1. Prevent young people misusing drugs and alcohol.
2. Ensure children and young people affected by drugs and alcohol have access to
early interventions and appropriate support services. (This includes children and
young people affected by parental drug and alcohol use or as users of substances.)
3. Develop an outcome based framework, utilising the eight wellbeing indicators of
GIRFEC.
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Key statistics informing the sub group are:
• In 2006, 15% of 13 year olds and 38% of 15 year olds in Lanarkshire reported
having drunk alcohol in the previous week (Source: SALSUS, 2006).
• In the same study, 27% of 13 year olds and 64% of 15 year olds reported that they
been offered drugs at some point (Source: SALSUS, 2006).
• Between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009, for the offences drinking in a public place
and drunk and incapable, there were 2,980 alcohol related incidents involving
young people across the N Division area (Source: Strathclyde Police, 2009).
• Between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009, for knife, edged, weapon and assault
offences there were 604 established crimes involving young people across the N
Division area (Source: Strathclyde Police, 2009).
E - Young people and youth justice forum
The term ‘youth justice’ refers to young people who, as a consequence of their offending
behaviour, are either at risk of becoming or may already be involved in the children’s
hearing system or the criminal justice system. In some cases this may be due to persistent
and long standing criminality, whilst other young people may be on the fringes of offending
behaviour and offend intermittently. However, in most instances, it is clear that young
people’s offending is related to a wider pattern of unmet needs (e.g. educational, social
and emotional). Accordingly, both the behaviour and these underlying difficulties require to
be addressed.
There are a range of services covering prevention, intervention, enforcement and
rehabilitation and the key commitments of the young people and youth justice forum centre
on preventing offending behaviour, reducing the numbers of those who do offend and the
development and extension of interventionist and restorative practices.
The forum has responsibility for overseeing all youth justice related activity across North
Lanarkshire and for developing multi agency strategies and processes to ensure effective
and properly targeted use of resources to assist in preventing and reducing offending and
re-offending. In relation to offenders, it also monitors the use of secure accommodation
and other interventions to ensure that emerging issues can be identified and dealt with
quickly and appropriately.
Following discussion, and in line with national priorities, the young people and youth
justice forum have indentified the following priorities for 2009 - 2012. These are :
1. Prevention of youth offending.
2. Early and effective intervention.
3. Managing high risk.
Key statistics informing the sub group are:
•
•
•
•
Number of children referred to the children’s reporter on offence grounds 2007-08 1,267.
(Source SCRA On-line Statistical Service)
% of children and young people re-referred to the children’s reporter on offence
grounds 2007 - 2008 - 40%.
(Source North Lanarkshire Authority Reporter)
Number of active persistent young offenders as at 31 March 2008 – 84.
(Source SCRA Monthly Youth Justice Report)
Number of children and young people subject to statutory supervision requirements
as at 31 March 2008 – 661.
(Source SCRA On-line Statistical Service)
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F - Corporate parenting
Corporate parenting refers to children and young people who are unable to live with their
parents or carers or require alternative accommodation for short or long periods of time. It
also refers to children and young people who were previously looked after and
accommodated and for whom the council still has a responsibility.
It has six broad themes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Priority developments.
Protocols and procedures.
Involvement and engagement of children and young people.
Staff training and development.
Employability and social networks.
Management information and information sharing.
Priorities for 2009 - 2012 are
1. Improve educational attainment and post school options.
2. Improve placement quality and choice.
3. Develop the workforce to enable a more aspirational and responsive approach to
looked after and looked after and accommodated children and young people.
Key statistics informing the sub group are:
• Number of children and young people accommodated (May 2009) – 207
• Breakdown in placement type:
Children’s carers
Children’s houses
Residential schools
Secure units
Independent fostering
137
32
7
5
26
The current figures show that a ‘balance of care’ has been maintained, with 80% of
children and young people who are looked after and accommodated placed in family
based accommodation.
During the successful three year ’Why me? Why you?’ advertising campaign in 2006, new
foster carers have been recruited and an additional 42 families for adoption. To coincide
with fostering fortnight in 2009, a new ’you can put the colour back into a child’s life’
campaign has been launched to ensure that family based placements are available to all
children where this would best meet their needs.
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G – Child protection
Safeguarding and protecting children and young people is a priority for all agencies
working within North Lanarkshire. The multi agency Child Protection Committee is
responsible for planning and development in all matters relating to child protection. This
includes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Multi agency staff training and development.
Public information.
Promotion of good practice.
Continuous improvement.
Policies, procedures and protocols.
Quality assurance.
Our shared vision for child protection is:
“All children and young people in Lanarkshire have the right to be cared for and
protected from abuse and harm in a safe environment in which their rights are
respected.
“All agencies will work in a collaborative way to promote the safety and wellbeing of
children and young people in Lanarkshire.”
The Child Protection Committee will continue to work in partnership with the Children’s
Services Partnership and the wider community planning structure to strengthen links
across services to safeguard and protect children and young people.
The Child Protection Committee produces an annual report and business plan, reflecting
achievements from the previous year and all priorities for the year ahead. From this the
following priorities have been identified:
1. Develop and implement an inter agency approach to child protection referrals where
children are affected by domestic abuse.
2. Adopt a strategic approach across services in the involvement of children and their
families in policy development.
3. Fully involve health practitioners in all child protection processes.
Our action plans
The following action plans detail the priorities of each group. The plans describe a series
of actions that the council and other community planning partners intend to implement to
improve and integrate services. Not every element of service delivery will be contained
within this action plan but rather the actions that the partners will take together to improve
the lives of children in North Lanarkshire. These action plans will be reviewed and updated
on an annual basis.
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Improving Children’s Services Group Priorities - A1, A2 and A3
Links to legislation and other policy
UN Convention of the Rights of the Child
Vision for Children (2005)
North Lanarkshire Community Engagement Strategy 2008
Children’s Act Scotland (1995)
Getting it right for every child (Sept 2008)
Equally Well: Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities (2008)
Delivering a Healthy Future: An action framework for children and young people’s health in Scotland (2007)
North Lanarkshire Single Outcome Agreement, 2008-2011
Action Plan A1 – Improving Children’s Services Group
To progress cultural change which supports the successful implementation of ‘Getting it right for every child’.
Priority
Local Outcome (s)
Key
Action
Number
A1.1
A1.2
Link to
National
Outcomes
The core values that children are at the centre and families as partners are embedded into practice
There is an increase in knowledge, understanding and positive relations across professional boundaries
There is meaningful participation of children and young people in all aspects of service development and delivery
A more integrated and strategic approach to the participation of children and young people is established
Key Action Description
Establish a multi agency
steering group to progress
findings and recommendations
from the Audit of Participation
carried out by Children’s
Services Strategy Group and
Children 1st.
Implement and monitor the
strategy framework.
Identify a champion for
children’s participation at a
senior level
Target Start
and Stop
Dates
Steering
Group by Sept
09.
Strategy from
Sept 09
Projected Achievements /
Outcomes
Lead
Agency
Other
Agency
Monitoring
Arrangements
Steering Group is
established
A strategy, framework and
action plan are developed.
Children’s
Advocacy
Network and
Chief
Executives
All
agencies
engaging
with
children
and young
people
Children’s
Services
Partnership
and North
Lanarkshire
Partnership
By April 10
Actions are agreed and
monitoring arrangements
are in place
Appropriate resources are
secured
By April 10
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A1.3
Develop training tool with
children at the centre
Record and evaluation of
training delivery in localities.
I.C.S.G.
A1.4
Launch of multi agency charter
I.C.S.G.
A1.5
Consultation with children and
young people on core
components of Getting it right
Increased awareness of
multi agency expectations
Recommendations from
children and young people
on improvements to
components.
I.C.S.G.
Monitoring
arrangements
will be through
the
Implementatio
n Group.
17
Action Plan A2 – Improving Children’s Services Group
To establish a single children’s services system based on an integrated framework of developing children and young
people’s well-being.
Priority
Local Outcome (s)
Key
Action
Number
A2.1
A2.2
A2.3
A2.4
A2.5
A2.6
Link to
National
Outcomes
Quality improvement in recording, assessment, planning and action for children and young people.
Identified business benefits for agencies actively implementing Getting it right for every child core components.
High quality integrated universal services
Easy access to effective and targeted specialist services
Children receive services when they need them from universal to specialist
A more developed and integrated workforce
Key Action Description
Target Start
Projected Achievements /
Lead
Other
Monitoring
and Stop
Outcomes
Agency
Agency
Arrangements
Dates
Monitoring
Develop and agree core
Sept 09
Practice Guide and set of
I.C.S.G.
arrangements
components and practice
core components for testing
will be through
guide in preparation for testing
the GIRFEC
Achieve agreement on locality Oct 09
Testing plans and criteria
I.C.S.G.
sub group.
support to testing
and place
Sept 09 – Oct
Feedback from practitioners I.C.S.G.
Test core components across
10
on the experience of testing
key transition groups within
localities
Birth to early years
Early years to primary
Primary to secondary
Secondary to the world of work
Sept 09 – Oct
I.C.S.G.
Identify actions to improve the
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experience of children and
young people exposed to
domestic abuse.
Develop the locality
arrangements for integrated
children’s services
From March
2009
From Jan 10
Opportunities for information
sharing and practice issues are
initiated
Locality arrangements are
in place in each of the 6
localities.
Reporting mechanisms are
established
Good practice is promoted
and shared
I.C.S.G.
I.C.S.G.
18
A2.7
Evaluation and review of
effectiveness of locality
arrangements
April 10
Evaluation framework is
identified and applied
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Action Plan A3 – Improving Children’s Services Group
Priority
To establish a ‘Getting it right’ practice approach across Lanarkshire.
Local Outcome (s)
Increase the effectiveness and consistency of multi agency working across Integrated Children’s Services
There is increased knowledge and understanding of Getting it right for every child practice approach.
Increased confidence and competence to practice Getting it right for every child approach.
Evidence of improved well-being of children and young people
Key
Action
Number
A3.1
Key Action Description
Link to
National
Outcomes
Further develop the structure
of the Children’s Services
Partnership
1. Review membership of
Children’s Services
Partnership
2. Review sub group
remits and
responsibilities
3. Develop the
Implementation Group
4. Further develop
mechanisms for
reporting and
monitoring
Target Start
and Stop
Dates
Projected Achievements /
Outcomes
By Dec 09
Members and sub groups
are engaged in process.
By Sept 09
Terms of reference are
agreed and applied.
Lead
Agency
Other
Agency
Monitoring
Arrangements
Children’s
Services
Partnership
and I.C.S.G.
I.C.S.G.
Children’s
Services
Partnership
I.C.S.G.
All sub
groups
Children’s
Services
Partnership
By Sept 09
By Dec 09
Monitoring of effectiveness
through reporting and
review
By Dec 09
A3.2
Develop and apply a
performance framework
By March 10
A3.3
A3.4
Establish baseline
Workforce Development
Strategy and implementation.
March 09
March 09-12
Appropriate and effective
measurement of
achievements and
outcomes
Mapping and analysis
Training needs are
assessed and training plan
is in place.
I.C.S.G.
C.S.P.
Monitoring
arrangements
will be through
I.C.S.G.
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A3.5
Produce practice guidance
By July 09
A3.6
Develop practice tools and
resources
ongoing
A3.7
Implementation Strategy
developed.
Set up evaluation team.
A3.8
I.C.S.G.
Risk assessment, Local
Well being wheel and
Information sharing
protocols developed.
I.C.S.G.
I.C.S.G.
I.C.S.G.
21
Early Years and Childcare – B1, B2 and B3
Links to legislation and other policy
Early Years Framework, Scottish Government
Health for All Children 4: Guidance on Implementation in Scotland
Better Health Better Care Action Plan (2007)
NHS Lanarkshire Annual Report of the Director of Public Health (2007)
Growing up in Scotland
Children’s Act Scotland (1995)
Getting it right for every child (Sept 2008)
North Lanarkshire (2008) New Horizons: A Plan for Modernising Primary Care Services
Equally Well: Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities (2008)
Delivering a Healthy Future: An action framework for children and young people’s health in Scotland (2007)
North Lanarkshire Single Outcome Agreement, 2008-2011
Action Plan B1 – Early Years and Childcare
Priority
Develop appropriate training opportunities for the children and young people’s workforce to support quality
engagement with young children and families, and to meet new legislative requirements
Local Outcome (s)
• Early Years staff meet minimum legislative requirement in relation to workforce qualification
• Improved quality of engagement with children and families within Early Years Services
Projected Achievements /
Lead
Other
Key Action Description
Target Start
Outcomes
Agency
Agency
and Stop
Dates
Audit current workforce to
April - October • Increase the number of
Learning and CILD
identify training needs
09
Leisure
adults supported to
Develop a suite of appropriate August 09 achieve minimum
March 10
training opportunities and
qualifications
providers
Implement a communication
March 10strategy to ensure optimum
April 11
uptake of development
opportunities
Key
Action
Number
B1.1
B1.2
B1.3
Link to
National
Outcomes
5 and 6
Monitoring
Arrangements
Review of
audit
Catalogue of
training
opportunities
Local event to
publicise
Strategy
document;
Audit of uptake
22
Action Plan B2 – Early Years and Childcare
Priority
To support vulnerable families to provide a positive environment for their young children
Local Outcome (s)
•
•
Key
Action
Number
B2.1
B2.2
B2.3
B2.4
Link to
National
Outcomes
5
To support parents and carers to interact effectively with their young children at home
To build and support parenting capacity for potentially vulnerable families with young children and improve outcomes
Key Action Description
To audit all training
opportunities available to
agencies and childcare
providers that promote
effective interaction, and
uptake of support services
To introduce “Together with
your Child ” initiative and
effective use of Little Wish
Bags to complement existing
training opportunities
To introduce parenting
strategy across agencies and
support its implementation
To train staff to meet
commitments of parenting
strategy (engaging with
families)
Target Start
and Stop
Dates
August 09 February 10
Projected Achievements /
Outcomes
Lead
Agency
Other
Agency
Monitoring
Arrangements
•
NHS
Lanarkshire
NL
Learning
and
Leisure
Results of
audit
•
April 09
onwards
•
August – Dec
09
Jan 2010
onwards
families are supported
to interact effectively
with their young children
at home
capacity and skills in
relation to supporting
child development and
activity from birth to
school entry is
supported
Multi agency Parenting
Strategy ensures
improved parenting
capacity for vulnerable
families and their young
children
Learning &
Leisure
All
Via Learning
and Teaching
Scotland
(funding
source)
Document
distributed
Awareness
raising events
for relevant
services
23
Action Plan B3 – Early Years and Childcare
Priority
To implement a common policy for identification of strengths and capacities within vulnerable families with young
children , and a framework for relevant services
Local Outcome (s)
•
•
•
Key
Action
Number
B3.1
Key Action Description
B3.2
B3.3
Link to
National
Outcomes
5
To ensure vulnerable young children and their families are identified early
To ensure that strengths and capacities are assessed at earliest stage
To establish a commonly understood and shared framework
Audit existing practice/
protocols
Target Start
and Stop
Dates
August 09
March 10
Complete information
gathering to identify key issues
for common approach
March 10
Develop proposal for common
approach and pilot same
April 10 –
Dec10
Implement agreed common
approach across services
Jan 2011
onwards
Projected Achievements /
Outcomes
Young children and families
at risk of not achieving
positive outcomes are
identified early and steps
are taken to prevent that
risk materialising
A cohesive approach
maximises resources
Lead
Agency
Other
Agency
Monitoring
Arrangements
GIRFEC ,
Social Work
Social
Work
Learning
&Leisure,
Health
Review of
audit
Key issues
and
requirements
are known
Pilot Group
formed and
approach is
determined
24
Additional Support Needs – C1 and C2
Links to legislation and policy
Additional Support for Learning Act (2004)
More Choices More Chances (2006)
Curriculum for Excellence (2008)
Growing up in Scotland
Children’s Act Scotland (1995)
Getting it right for every child (Sept 2008)
Equally Well: Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities (2008)
Delivering a Healthy Future: An action framework for children and young people’s health in Scotland (2007)
North Lanarkshire Single Outcome Agreement, 2008-2011
Action Plan C1 – Additional Support Needs
Priority
To implement a common transition policy and framework for all services.
Local Outcome (s)
•
•
•
Links to legislation or
other policy
Key
Link to
Action
National
Number
Outcomes
5 and 8
C1.1
•
C1.2
C1.3
To improve the experience of children/ young people and their families in planning for change
To ensure that roles and responsibilities are clear and understood
To establish a commonly understood and shared framework
Key Action Description
Completion of information
gathering exercise to establish
key issues for stakeholders
Good practice guidance to be
developed (detailed planning
guidance/ toolkit around each
of the key transition stages)
Implementation of interagency
training to support
implementation of policy
Target Start
and Stop
Dates
Jan-June
2009
Projected Achievements /
Outcomes
Lead
Agency
Other
Agency
Monitoring
Arrangements
•
Information gathering
exercise completed
Aug 2008 –
Dec 2009
•
Good Practice
Guidance/ Toolkit
completed
Learning &
Leisure
Services
Learning &
Leisure
Services
Housing &
Social
Work
Housing &
Social
Work
Jane 2010 –
June 2011
•
Policy embedded in
practice
Learning &
Leisure
Services
Housing &
Social
Work
Monitoring of
progress of
achievements
and outcomes
will be the
responsibility
of the ASN sub
group of the
Children’s
Services
Partnership.
25
26
Action Plan C2 – Additional Support Needs
Priority
To extend provision of appropriate post school destinations for young people with additional support needs
Local Outcome (s)
• An increase in the number and range of post school opportunities
• An increase in positive school leaver destinations
Projected Achievements /
Key Action Description
Target Start
Outcomes
and Stop
Dates
Audit existing level and range
Aug 2009 –
• Increased positive
of provision
Dec 2009
school leaver
destinations for young
Consult with key stakeholders
Aug 2009 –
people with additional
Dec 2009
support needs
• Increased number and
Specify desired outcome
December
range of post school
2009
opportunities for these
young people
Develop/ identify in partnership January 2010
• Improved % of school
with other agencies, a range of – March 2010
leavers being
appropriate school
maintained in training
opportunities
Ensure positive school leavers June 2010
destinations for young people
with additional support needs
Key
Action
Number
C2.1
C2.2
C2.3
C2.4
C2.5
Link to
National
Outcomes
4 and 8
Lead
Agency
Other
Agency
Monitoring
Arrangements
Learning &
Leisure
Services
Learning &
Leisure
Services
Learning &
Leisure
Services
Learning &
Leisure
Services
Housing &
Social
Work
NHS
Lanarkshir
e
Skills
Developm
ent
Scotland
Monitoring of
progress of
achievements
and outcomes
will be the
responsibility
of the ASN sub
group of the
Children’s
Services
Partnership
Learning &
Leisure
Services
27
Children, Young People and Families Affected by Substance Misuse – D1, D2 and D3
Links to legislation and policy
Getting Our Priorities Right (2001, 2003) Scottish Executive
Hidden Harm –Scottish Executive
Lanarkshire Alcohol & Drug Action Team Strategy 2008 – 2011 (2008), Lanarkshire ADAT
The Road to Recovery: A New Approach to Tackling Scotland’s Drug Problem (2008), Scottish Government
Understanding Alcohol Misuse in Scotland: Harmful Drinking (2008), NHS Quality Improvement Scotland
Better Health Better Care Action Plan (2007)
Growing up in Scotland
Children’s Act Scotland (1995)
Getting it right for every child (Sept 2008)
Equally Well: Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities (2008)
Delivering a Healthy Future: An action framework for children and young people’s health in Scotland (2007)
North Lanarkshire Single Outcome Agreement
Action Plan D1 – Children, Young People and Families Affected by Substance Misuse
Priority
Prevention of young people misusing drugs and alcohol
Local Outcome (s)
•
•
•
Key
Action
Number
D1.1
Link to
National
Outcomes
5
Reduction in the number of young people misusing drugs and alcohol (SALSUS)
Reduction in youth related anti-social behaviour in local communities
Improved community relations
Key Action Description
Map current activity across
North Lanarkshire, with
particular focus on
detached/outreach/diversionary
work
Target Start
and Stop
Dates
April 09
Mid July 09
Projected Achievements /
Outcomes
Lead
Agency
Other
Agency
•
CYPFASM sub
group/Alcohol
and Drug
Partnership
(ADP)
Development
Officer
ADP
Research
and
Informatio
n Officer
•
Increase in the number
of outreach and street
work programmes,
incrementally across
localities
Reduce frequency and
Monitoring
Arrangement
s
Ongoing
review via
CYPFASM
sub group
28
D1.2
D1.3
Where appropriate develop a
model of detached/outreach
work reflective of the needs of
North Lanarkshire and identify
potential sources of funding
Implement agreed model of
outreach/ street work across
North Lanarkshire localities
To be agreed
•
To be agreed
CYPFASM sub
level of young people
drinking from 20% of 12- group/ADP
Development
15 yr old to 16% by
Officer
2010
Reduce proportion of
under 25’s reporting use CYPFASM sub
group/ADP
of illegal drugs in the
last month and previous Development
Officer
year substantially
Ongoing
review via
CYPFASM
sub group
Monitor SLA
with
successful
provider if
funding is
realised
29
Action Plan D2 – Children, Young People and Families Affected by Substance Misuse
Priority
Local Outcome (s)
Key
Action
Number
D2.1
D2.2
D2.3
Link to
National
Outcomes
5
Children and young people affected by drugs and alcohol have access to early interventions and appropriate
support services (This includes children and young people affected by parental drug/ alcohol use or as users of
substances)
• Better outcomes for young people affected by drugs and alcohol use
• Improving the life chances for young people by reducing the impact of alcohol and drugs on their lives
• Increased awareness of the range of young peoples services across the tiers
Key Action Description
Target Start
Projected Achievements /
Lead
Other
Monitoring
and Stop
Outcomes
Agency
Agency
Arrangements
Dates
NHSL
NLC
Review via
Identify need for locality based Sep 2009
• Forums established
CYPFASM sub
practitioner forums based on
2011
within other localities if
group
the forum operational within
required
Coatbridge locality
ADP
NLC
Conference
Feb 2009
Lanarkshire ADP conference
• Evaluation of
Working Group
Oct 2009
raising awareness of existing
conference to be held in
and new service developments
Oct 09
for young people’s drug and
alcohol services including
family support (Tier 1 to 3)
Young
To be agreed
Continued support for
Ongoing
• Young carers continue
Carers
organisations supporting
to benefit from support
Project
Young Carers
30
Action Plan D3 – Children, Young People and Families Affected by Substance Misuse
Priority
Development of outcome based framework, utilising the 8 wellbeing indicators of GIRFEC
Local Outcome (s)
•
Key
Action
Number
D3.1
Key Action Description
Link to
National
Outcomes
5
Improving the life chances for children and young people allowing them to realise their full potential in all areas of their
lives by reducing their levels of drug and alcohol use
Identification of funding to
support development of a tool
to develop outcome measures
for young people attending
local services
Target Start
and Stop
Dates
July 2009 –
April 2010
Projected Achievements /
Outcomes
Lead
Agency
Other
Agency
Monitoring
Arrangements
•
Researcher
commissioned to
develop, pilot and
validate tool
Researcher to
be
commissioned
NHSL
Monitoring of functioning Framework
steering
and satisfaction in
group/NHSL
young service users
Review via
Framework
Steering
Group and
Alcohol and
Drugs
Partnership
Review via
Framework
Steering
Group and
Alcohol and
Drugs
Partnership
Review via
Framework
Steering
Group and
Alcohol and
Drugs
Partnership
D3.2
Tool utilised by NL Youth
Counselling Service
April 2010 –
ongoing
•
D3.3
Tool rolled out to all NHSL,
SLC, NLC and third sector
organisations
April 2011ongoing
• Monitoring of functioning
and satisfaction in young
service users
Framework
steering group
31
Young People and Youth Justice – E1, E2 and E3
Links to legislation and policy
Preventing Offending by Young People – A Framework for Action, Scottish Government, June 2008
Moving Forward: A strategy for improving young people’s chances through youth work (2007)
Growing up in Scotland
Children’s Act Scotland (1995)
Getting it right for every child (Sept 2008)
Equally Well: Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities (2008)
Delivering a Healthy Future: An action framework for children and young people’s health in Scotland (2007)
North Lanarkshire Single Outcome Agreement, 2008-2011
Action Plan E1 – Young People and Youth Justice
Priority
Prevention of youth offending
Local Outcome (s)
Key
Link to
Action
National
Number
Outcomes
5
E1.1
• Reduction in number of young people engaging in offending behaviour
Key Action Description
Target Start
Projected Achievements /
and Stop
Outcomes
Dates
Continue to develop the roles
June 2010
• Reduction in the number
of School Campus Officers and
of children and young
Police Presentation Officers.
people referred to the
June 2010
Extend the use of early
Children’s Reporter on
intervention, Parental Alert
offence grounds
letters throughout all partner
agencies.
Enhance diversionary activities June 2010
for children and young people
in North Lanarkshire.
Recognise and address the
June 2010
effect of parental substance
misuse on youth offending.
E1.2
E1.3
E1.4
Lead
Agency
Other
Agencies
Monitoring
Arrangements
Strathclyde
Police
NLC SW /
Housing
NLC
Learning &
Leisure
NHS
Lanarkshire
SCRA
Monitoring will
be undertaken
by the Young
People and
Youth Justice
Forum as
outlined in the
Young People
and Youth
Justice
Strategy.
32
Action Plan E2– Young People and Youth Justice
Priority
Early and effective intervention
Local Outcome (s)
Better outcomes for young people involved in offending behaviour in terms of:
• Reduction in offending
• Improved Life Chances
• Improved victim and community confidence
Key
Action
Number
E2.1
E2.2
E2.3
E2.4
E2.5
E2.6
Link to
National
Outcomes
5
Key Action Description
Consolidate and extend use of
Restorative Justice
Review terms of reference for
Young Offender Groups and
issue revised paperwork
Arrange reflective practice
event involving membership of
YOGs and YP & YJF
Review existing single agency
and multi agency referral
pathways in line with GIRFEC
and national guidance
Improve performance in
relation to submission of YJ
SW assessments to the
Children’s Reporter
Improve proportion of SW YJ
assessments which show
evidence of use of ASSET
Target Start
and Stop
Dates
December
2009
June 2009
Projected Achievements /
Outcomes
Lead
Agency
Other
Agencies
Monitoring
Arrangements
•
NLC
SW/Housing
NLC
Learning/
Leisure
NHS
Lanarkshir
e
Strathclyde
Police
SCRA
SACRO
Monitoring will
be undertaken
by the Young
People and
Youth Justice
Forum as
outlined in the
Young People
and Youth
Justice
Strategy.
•
December
2009
December
2009
Reduction in the number
of children re-referred to
the Children’s Reporter
on offence grounds
Maintaining the
reduction in the number
of persistent young
offenders
March 2010
March 2010
33
Action Plan E3 – Young People and Youth Justice
Priority
Managing High Risk
Local Outcome (s)
•
•
Key
Action
Number
E3.1
Link to
National
Outcomes
5
Reduction in the number of high risk young offenders
Improved victim and community confidence
Key Action Description
Introduce multi agency
screening in line with GIRFEC
and identify lead professional
to co-ordinate services.
Target Start
and Stop
Dates
December
2009
E3.2
Multi agency protocols and
information sharing protocols
in place
December
2009
E3.3
Multi agency risk management
procedures in place
December
2009
E3.4
Staff are trained and
competent in managing risk
and receive adequate
supervision
March 2010
Projected Achievements /
Outcomes
Lead
Agency
Other
Agencies
Monitoring
Arrangements
•
NLC
SW/Housing
NLC
Learning/
Leisure
NHS
Lanarkshir
e
Strathclyde
Police
SCRA
Monitoring will
be undertaken
by the Young
People and
Youth Justice
Forum as
outlined in the
Young People
and Youth
Justice
Strategy.
Relevant targets require
to be developed on both
a local and a national
basis
34
E3.5
Programmes and interventions
are appropriate, proportionate
and timely based on analysis
of the child’s world and
measured for effectiveness
March 2010
E3.6
Transitional plans are in place
and monitored for young
people involved in Children's
Hearing and adult system
March 2010
E3.7
Community safety partnerships
take lead in 'driving' restorative
and reparative approaches
June 2010
35
Corporate Parenting – F1, F2 and F3
Links to legislation and policy
We Can and Must do Better
Getting it right for every child. Kinship Care and Foster Care December 2007
The Scottish Government has made a strong commitment to developing policy and practice guidance to improve the experiences of looked after and looked after
and accommodated children.
Growing up in Scotland
Children’s Act Scotland (1995)
Getting it right for every child (Sept 2008)
Equally Well: Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Health Inequalities (2008)
Delivering a Healthy Future: An action framework for children and young people’s health in Scotland (2007)
North Lanarkshire Single Outcome Agreement
Action Plan F1– Corporate Parenting
Priority
Improve educational attainment, achievement and post school options.
Local Outcome (s)
•
•
•
Key
Action
Number
F1.1
Link to
National
Outcomes
4
Meets with
recommen
dations
from
SWIA
inspection.
There is a continued increase in the number of looked after and looked after and accommodated young people who attain
1 or more standard grades.
There is increased recognition of personal achievements.
More young people are assisted into training and sustainable long term employment – More Choices, More Chances.
Key Action Description
Establish a Steering with
representation from Social
Work and Learning & Leisure
Services to direct and drive
this work.
Target Start
and Stop
Dates
July 2009
Projected Achievements /
Outcomes
Lead
Agency
Other
Agency
Monitoring
Arrangements
•
Housing &
Social Work
Services
AND
Learning &
Leisure
Employabi
lity
agencies
& College
Sector
Corporate
Parenting Sub
group
Steering group in place
and role and remit
agreed.
36
F1.2
F1.3
F1.4
Agree a joint approach for
national reporting
requirements and identify any
developments that are
required in IT systems to
facilitate this.
Establish robust information
gathering processes to
facilitate accurate reporting.
August 2009
•
Improved accuracy of
reporting.
As above
As above
As above
September
2009
•
As above
As above
As above
Develop provision of supported
employment for young people
who are looked after.
August 2009
•
Ensure positive move
towards well established
reporting and monitoring
system.
Increase year on year
numbers of looked after
young people entering
supported employment
opportunities.
Ensure sustainment and
growth of service
success rate.
Meet with requirements
for Curriculum for
Excellence and
establish holistic
approach to
achievement.
To identify and
overcome barriers to
meeting the needs and
improving outcomes for
looked after and
accommodated children
and young people.
Housing &
Social Work
Services.
All
As above
Housing &
Social Work
Services
AND
Learning &
Leisure
Housing &
Social Work
Services
All &
College
Sector
As above
All
As above
•
Implement practice to record
and recognise children and
young people’s achievements.
(cross refer to G2.6)
Introduce 2009
– 2010
•
Implement and develop the
Children’s Champions
demonstration initiative across
chief officers.
From October
2009
•
2010-2011
Evaluate and consider rollout
to broaden range of
Champions from across
partner agencies.
37
F1.5
Provision of psychological and
well being support services fro
looked after children – both
away from home and at home.
Ongoing
•
Improve educational
attainment, attendance
and achievement for
looked after children.
Health,
Learning &
Leisure &
Housing &
Social Work
Services
All
As above and
through case
file audits.
38
Action Plan F2– Corporate Parenting
Priority
Improve placement quality and improve outcomes for children and young people accommodated away from home.
Local Outcome (s)
•
Key
Action
Number
F2.1
F2.2
F2.3
Link to
National
Outcomes
4
Looked after and looked after and accommodated children and young people are more able to maintain links with their
family, community, school, friends and peers.
• Improved support offered to children in a variety of placements.
• Improve choice of placement for looked after and accommodated children and young people.
• Children and young people receive placements suitable to their needs.
• Reduce the number of placement disruptions.
Key Action Description
Target Start
Projected Achievements /
Lead
Other
Monitoring
and Stop
Outcomes
Agency
Agency
Arrangements
Dates
Concluding the capital
By August
Housing &
Corporate
• Continue to increase
replacement programme for
2009
Social Work
Parenting Sub
use of fostering
residential children’s houses.
group.
placements
Housing &
As above and
36 carers
Implement new campaign to
• Reduce numbers in
Social Work
Children’s
recruited by
recruit children’s carers and
residential schools.
Services
2012.
continue to increase numbers
• Reduce number of
Partnership
Ongoing
of fostering and adoption
children placed out with
placements.
the authority
• Outcomes are improved
for children and young
people e.g. attainment,
attendance and
reduction and well
being. (cross refer to
G1.5).
• Continue to improve the
balance of care.
Social Work
All –
Monitor placement disruption;
• Reduction in disruptions Housing &
Performance
Social
Work
support
to
fostering, children’s houses
and amounts of
placement Reporting
and kinship care.
placements for children
s
when accommodated.
39
F2.4
F2.5
F2.6
Put support in place to
maintain placements; fostering,
children’s houses and kinship
care e.g. Health and well being
support such as CAMHs and
CAYP services.
HMIE
Review processes for
admission medicals for
accommodated children
Review provision of follow up
n=medicals and access to
appropriate health services
e.g. comprehensive, sexual
health, psychological services,
public health nurses etc
• Initial audit
completed by
September
2009.
• From
October
2009
•
Improved stability of
placements and the
health and well being
outcomes of children &
young people.
Health
Services
Housing &
Social
Work
Services.
Corporate
parenting sub
group
•
Improve health
outcomes for
accommodated children
& young people.
Improve access to
health services when
appropriate.
Health
Services
Housing &
Social
Work
Services &
All
AS above and
to the
Children’s
Services
Partnership
•
40
Action Plan F3 – Corporate Parenting
Priority
Develop our workforce to ensure that as Corporate Parents we have ambitious expectations for our looked after and
looked after and accommodated children and young people.
Local Outcome (s)
•
•
Key
Action
Number
F3.1
F3.2
F3.3
F3.4
Link to
National
Outcomes
4
All staff are engaged and empowered to promote individualisation.
There is increased awareness of the roles and responsibilities of the “corporate parent”. Chief officers are actively
involved in the Children’s Champion demonstration initiative.
• There is a range of appropriate training and personal development programmes for all staff and carers.
• Key processes support a more aspirational and responsive approach.
Key Action Description
Target Start
Projected Achievements /
Lead
Other
Monitoring
and Stop
Outcomes
Agency
Agency
Arrangements
Dates
Children’s Champions
From
Housing &
All
Children’s
• Improve care planning
demonstration initiative – see
September
Services
outcomes and access to Social Work
priority 1.
2009
Services
Partnership.
services.
As above via
Social Work, All
On going
Further develop the quality of
• Identify and address
the Corporate
Learning &
multi agency assessments and
support needs earlier.
Parenting sub
Leisure
promote individualised
• Reduce out with
group.
Services
and
planning which reflects the
authority placements.
Health –
strengths and needs of each
• Reduce placements
cross refer to
child.
disruptions.
GIRFEC
• Provide appropriate
Further enhance foster care
2009-11
Housing
&
Corporate
care and support within
competency scheme
Social
Work
parenting sub
children’s houses.
Services
group
• Improved support to
As
above
Housing
&
August 2009 to
Through the residential
children within the
Social
Work
June 2010
development programme
community, from
Services
Phase 2; provide motivated,
universal services and
committed and competent
targeted services.
carers.
• Children’s house
residential staff are
registered with Scottish
41
F3.5
Ensure Continuous
Professional Development is in
pace for residential staff
through completion of PRD.
By December
2009
F3.6
Continue to improve the
development of community
based support services.
Ongoing
Social Services Council.
•
•
Continued improvement As above
in balance of care.
Reduce need for
residential & secure
provision for
accommodated children.
Learning
& Leisure
& Health
Services
As above
42
Child Protection
Links to legislation and policy
Children (Scotland) Act 1995;
Getting it right for every child (2008)
UN Convention of the rights of the Child
Protecting Children and Young People: Framework for Standards
Protecting Children and Young People: The Charter
Protecting Children and Young People: Child Protection Committees
Protecting Children A Shared Responsibility 1998.
Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 Part 2
North Lanarkshire Community Engagement Strategy 2008
Action Plan G1 – Child Protection
Priority
To develop and implement an inter-agency approach to child protection referrals where children are affected by domestic abuse.
Local Outcome (s)
Identify areas of best practice; agencies work together to develop a multi agency approach when a child, young person and their family is
known to be affected by domestic abuse.
Lead
Other
Monitoring Arrangements
Key Action
Target Start Projected Achievements /
Outcomes
Agency
Agency
Description
and Stop
Dates
Child Protection
Multi
Child protection
The child protection committee
Map existing practice June 09
agency
in partnership with the ‘getting it Committee
and identify best multi
right for every child’ resource
agency practice
team will consider existing
including other areas
practice and identify areas of
best practice. This will inform an
agreed multi agency approach
for working with families
affected by domestic abuse.
Key
Action
Number
G1.1
Link to
National
Outcomes
4, 5 and 8
43
G1.2
G1.3
Multi agency good
practice guidance will
be developed by a
short life task group.
When agreed the
good practice
guidance will be
implemented.
An inter-agency
training programme
will be developed to
support the
implementation of the
good practice
guidance for working
with families affected
by domestic abuse
July 09
September
09
September
09
The good practice guidance will
provide a framework for a multi
agency approach for working
with families affected by
domestic abuse.
Implementation of good practice
guidance.
Child Protection
Committee
Multi
agency
Child protection Committee
An impact evaluation of the
training will be undertaken to
monitor the impact for
practitioners to improve
outcomes for children, young
people and their families.
Child Protection
Committee
Training and
Staff
Development
Sub-group.
Multi
agency
Child Protection Committee
44
Action Plan G2 – Child Protection
Priority
To adopt a strategic approach across services in the involvement of children and their families in policy development
Local Outcome (s)
Agencies working together to implement a strategy for effective participation of children and families in policy development;
Children, young people and their families are aware of policy development to protect children and young people;
Evidence that the views of children, young people and their families inform child protection policy development.
Key
Action
Number
G2.1
Key Action Description
G2.2
G2.3
Link to
National
Outcomes
4, 5 and 8
In partnership with
existing multi agency
groups/for agree a
multi agency approach
for the involvement of
children and their
families in policy
development
Consult and work in
partnership with
children, young people
and their families to
inform policy
development
Monitor and evaluate
the effectiveness of
children, young people
and their families
involvement in policy
development
Target Start
and Stop
Dates
August 09
Projected Achievements /
Outcomes
Lead
Agency
Other
Agency
Monitoring
Arrangements
Multi agency agreement for the
effective involvement of children
and their families in policy
development to protect children
and young people
Child Protection
Committee
Multi
agency
Child protection
Ongoing
after August
09
The views of children, young
people and their families is
evidenced in developing,
reviewing and updating policy
Child Protection
Committee
Multi
agency
Child protection
Committee
Ongoing
after August
09
Evidence that the evaluation
informs ongoing development
Child Protection
Committee
Multi
agency
Child Protection
Committee
45
Action Plan G3 - Child Protection
Priority
To fully involve health practitioners in all child protection processes.
Local Outcome (s)
To ensure that information from NHS Lanarkshire informs decision making throughout the child protection processes from referral to
investigation
Children (Scotland) Act 1995;
UN Convention of the rights of the Child
Protecting Children and Young People: Framework for Standards
Protecting Children and Young People: The Charter
Protecting Children and Young People: Child Protection Committees
Protecting Children A Shared Responsibility, 1998.
Projected Achievements /
Lead
Other
Monitoring
Key Action Description
Target Start
Outcomes
Agency
Agency
Arrangements
and Stop
Dates
Child Protection
Multi
Child protection
September
Existing good practice is
Social Work, Health
Committee
agency
09
formalised to ensure a multi
and Police agree a
agency approach by social work,
process to include
police and health to achieve
Initial Referral
consistency of practice for IRD
Discussion (IRD) when
across North Lanarkshire.
deciding whether a
referral should be
progressed under child
protection procedures.
Multi
Child protection
Audit sample of existing practice Child Protection
Relevant information in October 09
Committee
agency
Committee
thereafter
to inform ongoing multi agency
terms of a child/young
ongoing
developments in assessment
person’s health needs
and decision making based on
including unmet needs
better outcomes for children and
informs assessment
young people.
and decision making
throughout the child
protection process.
Links to legislation or
other policy
Key
Action
Number
G3.1
G3.2
Link to
National
Outcomes
4, 5 and 8
46
47