To seek views on the proposed framework outlined in the attached paper (Appendix 1).

The Committee was invited to comment on the proposed framework entitled “Integrating Services for Children and Young People in Herefordshire”, outlined in the paper attached to the agenda report at appendix 1.

The Director of Children’s Services reported that the consultation paper set out some of the key arguments and reasons for change and provided some ideas for how this could be achieved in Herefordshire.  At the heart of the debate about integrating services to children and facilities, was the recognition that better outcomes in education attainment and health and safety, required the combined action of a number of agencies.  The focus of Every Child Matters (ECM) was on vulnerable children and young people, especially those who were in danger of social exclusion.  However, the Director explained that this was not simply about children with the most complex needs but about focusing on the needs of all children and recognising that outcomes were linked.

The Director of Children’s Services highlighted that the provisional conclusions indicated in the consultation paper were that the concept of developing “service hubs” – the reconfiguration of services around the child and family in one place, for example, children’s centre, extended schools and the bringing together of professionals in multi-disciplinary teams – and their location in areas of relative deprivation was already developed and comparatively straightforward in Herefordshire.  She reported that while a clear view of the long-term destination was apparent, and indicated in the consultation paper, what was not so clear was the route to this destination, however, the report set out a number of pointers and signposts for the journey.

In the course of debate the following principal points were noted:

• Further information on the concept of Extended Schools was requested.
• Acknowledging that the development of Children’s Centres was at an early stage in the County and that the area of the City south of the River Wye was identified as an area of deprivation, a view was expressed that areas of the City to the north of the river were also in need of these facilities.  The Committee were informed that this was already the subject of a feasibility study.
• Accepting that the provision of after school transport would be extremely expensive, the Committee reminded the Cabinet Member (Children’s Services), that while the City and Market Towns lacked adequate off-peak public transport provision, many rural areas had no transport infrastructure that would permit children to participate in after school activities, thereby adding to their sense of rural isolation.
• The Committee noted that a pilot project was being worked on with Sure Start (and the DfES), which would provide valuable information concerning provision and cost that would inform the rest of the integration programme.
• While schools already work together in the pyramid system further collaboration may be possible through School Trusts.
• The Committee questioned why a child who attended one school, but lived near another school, could not make use of that other school’s after school facilities.
• The Cabinet Member – Children’s Services emphasised that the development of children’s Centres and Extended Schools was necessary and possible.

RESOLVED: that, subject to the points noted above, the framework for integrating services for Children & Young People in Herefordshire, as outlined in Appendix 1 to the report, be noted.