PAPER B7

Committee : SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE

Date : 4 SEPTEMBER 2002

Title : DEVELOPING LINKS FOR MEMBERS WITH CHILDREN’S SERVICES TEAMS

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING

1. SUMMARY/PURPOSE

1.1 To outline a proposal to create awareness raising links between Members of the Social Services and Housing Select Committee and social work teams within the Children’s Services Division of the Directorate.

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 Members have previously expressed a wish to enhance their understanding of the work being undertaken within Children’s Services. Traditionally the approach might have been for individual Members to visit teams on a ‘one-off’ basis.

2.2 Following informal discussions with the Chairman and some Members of the Select Committee, a proposal to ‘allocate’ teams to individual Members of the Select Committee was suggested.

3. OUTCOME OF CONSULTATIONS

3.1 Informal discussion with some Members suggested that this was an idea which might be viewed favourably as a means of establishing positive links which would assist Members by:-

a) increasing their awareness of the work undertaken within Children’s Services

b) enhance staff understanding of Member’s governance and scrutiny role in relation to Children’s Services

c) equip Members with knowledge which may enable them to effectively champion the services provided in respect of children in need

3.2 In preparation for a formal consideration of this matter by the Select Committee, the Chairman suggested that Members be allocated to Children’s Services Teams. Given that there are more Members than teams, names have been drawn to identify an initial allocation for consideration. This could be time limited for a period six months. A new allocation to accommodate other Members and develop links with different teams could then be arranged.

3.3 It is intended that teams will invite allocated Members to meet with them to consider how best to achieve the purpose of this proposal and address Members’ particular interests.

3.4 Some Members have also expressed an interest in opportunities to attend meetings involving service users and to undertake visits with social workers where this is judged to be both appropriate and where the service user is in agreement. Sensitivity to the circumstances and the confidentiality of situations would be important determining factors in considering arrangements of this kind.

4. PROPOSED INITIAL ALLOCATION TO TEAMS

4.1 Teams based at Children’s Service Centre, Newport Tel 525790

Duty & Initial Assessment Team – Team Manager Vicki Townsend

Allocated Member – Councillor Mr Garry Price

Assessment Team – Team Manager Liz Harkin

Allocated Member – Councillor Mr Gordon Kendall

West Wight Children’s Services Team – Team Manager Dave Crewe

Allocated Member – Councillor Mrs Barbara Clough

Teams based at Oak House, Newport Tel 525790

Children’s Disability Team – Team Manager Jeremy Taylor

Allocated Member – Councillor Mr David Williams

Family Solutions Team – Team Manager Jan Jasicki

Allocated Member – Councillor Mr Ian Stevens

Teams based at Ryde Neighbourhood Office Tel 566011

Family Placement Team – Team Manager Sarah Pepys

Allocated Member – Councillor Mr Anthony Mundy

East Wight Children’s Services Team – Team Manager Kate Freeman

Allocated Councillor - Councillor Mr Colin Richards

Team based at 147 High Street, Newport Tel 823340

The Independence Support Project – Team Manager David Hands

Allocated Member – Councillor Mrs Erica Oulton

4.2 As explained in 3.2 above the initial allocation does not include all Members of the Select Committee. It is envisaged that any new allocation would ensure opportunities were made available to Members not included at this time.

5. RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Members are invited to consider the above proposal with a view to endorsing

the arrangement and to receive a report on the operation of the scheme in twelve months.

Contact Point : Jimmy Doyle, ( 520600

C WADDICOR

Strategic Director of Social Services and Housing