Directors of Children’s Services Event – 6

th

July 2007

Integrated Services for Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire County Council

Agenda:

• • • • • • Context Aims Methodology Findings The model From virtual to actual.

Context - how did we get to where we are?

• •

Nottinghamshire was a pathfinder for Targeted Youth Support (we were an early intervention pathfinder so no age limits) We used this to develop our vision for tackling complex additional needs through “all-age” targeted support:

– Early identification (CAF) – Simple processes (one story, told once) – Effective co-ordination (lead professional) – Safe and accessible settings (locality focus, driven by young people) – Swift and easy referral (extended services agenda).

Aims of integrated services model - what are we trying to achieve?

• • • • • • • Improve access to multi-agency services Enable services to work together better Establish protocols for early intervention and co-ordination of provision Improve services through effective participation Improve quality and quantity of service provision Complement other initiatives Provide a “one stop” access model.

What is targeted support?

To deliver services to children and young people with tier 2 & 3 needs and supports universal services in early interventions and accesses specialist tier 4 services Tier 4 Tier 2 & 3

Targeted support for those hidden from services

Tier 1

Preventative services for under 13s Targeted support for those receiving services Early intervention and prevention for over 13s

Specialist services Targeted services Universal services

Local Context – how we used Kirkby as our model area.

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Geographic target:. Kirkby College Family of Schools

– Former coalfield and the related social and economic disadvantage. – Fits with the Annual Performance Assessment in relation to: • • emotional health and well being attainment • attitudes of young men from white, working class backgrounds.

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Children and young people target: 0 to 19 years

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Specific Issues: Strengthening emotional resilience and promotion of social inclusion.

Characteristics of Kirkby (and many other areas across Nottinghamshire)

• • • • • Higher than average rates of teenage pregnancy Higher than average rates of permanent exclusion Higher than average rates of truancy Higher than average eligibility and take up for free school meals Lower than average attainment at Key Stages 3 and 4.

Methodology – how did we do it?

Decision points Senior management Mobilise

1

Launch meetings Develop plan with project manager Service delivery and users (young people/ families) Discover Focused Interviews Focused interviews /Groups Young Person’s journey workshops Deepen

2

Senior management briefing Consolidate findings Service delivery workshops Pathfinders will deliver benefits quickly June 2006 Develop

3

Senior management briefing Change teams Deliver January 2007

Findings – what were the emerging themes?

• • • • • • • Work to strengths and recognise current good practice Improved communication and shared language Increase awareness of the network of people who share the same concerns Find solutions not more problems Make progress with some quick wins Find a local model for working which builds trust and encourages sharing Recognise that this is a continuum.

Criteria/guiding principles for developing the proposed model:

• • • • • • • • • Strong visible presence Building on current good practice Driven by need and by children, young people and families Early identification and translate into appropriate action 0-19 Adding value for schools Optimise the use of skills, knowledge and experience Promote shared targets Respect service boundaries but enable seamless service.

The Virtual Team Model

Aligned Services Core Services Core Group

The model in detail:

• • • • • • “Wrap around” services with the child/young person at the centre Based around the family of schools Operates within service boundaries, maximising skills, knowledge and experience without major structural change Effective mix of prevention and intervention Focus on early identification Driven by a partnership of children, young people, families and practitioners.

The role of the core group:

• • • • • • Hold regular (monthly) meeting of local practitioners from key services/agencies Accept requests for support from children, young people & services/agencies Use the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) as an assessment tool Nominate a Lead Professional to co-ordinate support to child or young person Make decisions and direct interventions Be informed by the needs of Children and Young People & be able to influence the direction and deployment of resources in targeted and universal services.

The core group in detail:

• • • • • • • • • • Inclusion Support Services Connexions CAMHS Youth Services Family SENCO Social Care Children’s Centre School Nurse Parent Participation Officer Voluntary Sector

Membership may change over time and may be different in each locality.

Critical Success Factors:

• • • • • • • Universal commitment Clarity of roles and responsibilities of the Core and Steering Groups Effective co-ordination of the Core Group Effective communications Effective participation of children, young people and families Effective monitoring and evaluation Effective participation by the schools.

From virtual to actual

• • • • • • Implementation of the Virtual Team model across the Kirkby Family of Schools. Pilot with effect from 01 st April 2007 Adoption of the Virtual Team model as a means to developing targeted support across Nottinghamshire Integrate the pilot and roll out with the wider development of locality working across Nottinghamshire Six further families of schools in September 2007, with a rolling programme from then Multi-agency appraisal of the gradual development of this virtual model towards full integration, based on a single point accountability All services that can be managed through a single-point accountability, locality model to be integrated within three years.