Issue - meetings

To receive a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services on ‘The Hampshire Approach’.

The Children and Families Advisory Panel received a presentation from the Director of Children’s Services on ‘The Hampshire Approach’.

Members noted that the vision behind the approach was;

·         to create a family service, focussing on improving outcomes for children in the family context,

·         an integrated multi-disciplinary service led by social work professionals,

·         supporting social workers to deliver meaningful interventions and create lasting change,

·         improve flexibility to allow good practise to flourish.

The Panel heard that the desired outcomes of this new approach was to achieve positive and sustained change for children, young people and families while keeping more children safely at home. One of the key outcomes for families will be that they feel they are receiving the right support, at the right time, from the right person.

The Panel noted that Looked After Children numbers and repeat referrals should reduce as a result of this approach.

In response to questions members found that;

·         There were similarities between The Hampshire Approach and the Troubled Families programme which already operates in a similar fashion. The Hampshire Approach is in relation to statutory processes which Troubled Families does not cover.

Resolved: That the Children and Families Advisory Panel note the details of ‘The Hampshire Approach’ and will receive a progress update in 18 months time.