Agenda item

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services, which updates the Board on progress in implementing the Family Support and Parenting Strategy for Leeds.

Further to Minute No. 72 of the meeting held on 6^th December, 2007, The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which provided the Board with an update on progress in implementing the Family Support and Parenting Strategy.

Appended to the report was the Leeds Family Support and Parenting Board – Draft Terms of Reference.

Sally Threlfall, Head of Early Years Services and Barbara Newton, Strategic Leader Partnership and Participation, attended the meeting and provided the Board with information in relation to some of the opportunities and challenges that the Strategy presented.

The Strategic Leader Partnership and Participation reported that a one-year secondment to the post of manager of the Parenting Unit had been advertised, although no appointment had been made on this occasion.  The Board was informed that the post would be re-advertised, probably as a two-year post. 

It was reported that a number of key work-streams had been identified, including increasing awareness of the range of services available for parents across the city, identifying future training needs and evaluating services to determine which ones were the most effective.  It was noted that a meeting had been arranged to consider the progress made.

In addition, the following points were discussed:

·  The Board considered the successful bid by Leeds Primary Care Trust (PCT) to become part of the Family Nurse Partnership Programme.  The Board was informed that it was a two-year programme, which would assist vulnerable young parents.  It was reported that the programme would report to the Family Support and Parenting Board, so that the work undertaken could be linked to other initiatives, eg, the Child Health Programme.

·  Members discussed the role of the Family Support and Parenting Board and how the Board met the needs of families.  It was reported that the Board provided a co-ordinated approach to family strategies and reference was made to the range of representatives involved.  It was pointed out that work was underway to secure representation from adult services.

·  The Board emphasised the importance of ensuring that the children’s services directory, the Family Hub, was kept up to date.  It was noted that work was being undertaken to improve the Family Hub and that organisations could now update their own details on the website.

·  Members discussed the contribution of the voluntary sector.  It was acknowledged that the voluntary sector was an important partner and work had been undertaken with a number of different providers, including small community groups and large national organisations.

·  Members queried the work being done to alleviate the effects of poverty.  The Head of Early Years Services advised that the main problem related to worklessness.  To assist families and parents, the Family Support and Parenting Strategy provided support to develop their skills and confidence, so that they were better able to access opportunities in training and employment. She referred to the role of Jobcentre Plus in the partnership.

The Chair then thanked Sally Threlfall, Head of Early Years Services, and Barbara Newton, Strategic Leader Partnership and Participation, for their attendance at the meeting.

(Councillor R Harrington joined the meeting at 9.48 am during the consideration of this item.) 

(Councillor C Campbell joined the meeting at 10.04 am during the consideration of this item.)

RESOLVED – That the report and information appended to the report be noted.