Issue - meetings

The Panel received a report from the Director of Children’s Services which provided an update of the Partners in Practise (PIP) initiative.

The Panel heard that Hampshire was one of seven Local Authorities with PIP status and that allowed Hampshire to look at methods to improve outcomes for Young People in innovative ways.

The Panel noted that Hampshire’s Children’s Services was working alongside the University of Winchester to develop a resiliency based approach. This has resulted in the CAST model (Child Assessment & Safeguarding Teams). This model involves less teams and therefore less transfers for Children and Families while they are engaged with Children’s Services, allowing for more opportunity for a relationship to develop with one Social Worker. The new CAST teams are also multidisciplinary teams which means that there is more experience and knowledge within the team and less need to rely on external agencies.

In response to questions members heard that;

·         This approach brings other agencies such as CAMHS into the service and allows for partnership working and more control.

·         This may also allow for influence on partners with how they deploy their staff and can enable a more flexible and agile approach.

Resolved:That the Children and Families Advisory Panel note the work undertaken in

relation to the Partners in Practise programme.