Agenda item

6.1

The Board received a presentation from Sue Greig, Consultant in Public Health, Children, Young People and Families, concerning the Children and Families Act 2014, which would come into force in September 2014. The main aspects of the Act related to adoption, children in care and contact, family justice, Special Educational Needs, childcare reform and the welfare of children. It also included measures such as the rights of parents to request flexible working patterns and partner leave (for example to attend antenatal classes) and adoption leave and 

reinforced the office of the Children’s Commissioner.

6.2

Key Issues for Health and Wellbeing Board Partners arising from the Act were joint accountability across health, education and social care for assessing and responding to children’s needs, for example Education, Health and Care Plans; support for young carers, including in relation to their mental and emotional health needs as well as practical/social support; and support in school for children with medical conditions.

6.3

The Board commented on issues arising from the presentation, as follows:-

6.4

It was envisaged that integration would result in better outcomes for less, whilst there would be some cost associated with change. For example, there was the potential for reducing duplication and streamlining systems and greater efficiency.

6.5

Whilst it was disappointing that the City had not been successful in its ‘best start’ bid to the Lottery Fund, there had also been some transformational change as part of the preparations for the Lottery bid. The process had opened dialogue and there was most certainly commitment and momentum in this regard. In fact, the process was now not tied into the more prescriptive aspects of the Lottery bid.  There were some indications of how external support might be obtained; and consideration was being given as to where effort would be focussed. The strategy group was meeting to look at potential opportunities. 

6.6

Some work relating to children and young people which addressed issues within the Act was already happening. For example, the creation of a Head of Virtual School for Looked After Children. In Sheffield, opportunities had been created for young people in care, who might previously have left care at age 18, which the Act had now sought to address in law. The challenge was with regard to transition from child to adult services and in seeing a person in the context of their whole life and not simply a child or adult.  

6.7

The Care Act and the Children and Families Act shared a policy backbone and local authorities and partner organisations were encouraged to identify an individual’s ongoing need and to avoid implementing the two Acts in isolation of one another.

6.8

Resolved: that the Board notes the presentation.