Every Child Matters Forum (Children, Young People & Families Services Network)

Minutes from 23rd May 2017

1. Welcome and House Keeping Actions/InformationLaura Goad introduced herself and explained that she would be covering the ECM while Simone is on maternity leave. She welcomed everyone as the ECM Forum Chair and went through housekeeping. She explained that there will be more of a themed approach to this year’s ECM forums with future themes focusing on youth, safeguarding and mental health.

Members were advised that all information from today’s meeting will be available on website www.sefton.org.uk/network-forums/ecm and were encouraged to follow the twitter page at @ECMForumSCVS. Daily. Uploads of news and information shared by members is also available at this page and in monthly bulletins distributed.

2. Matters arising from the 29th March 2017 Action/InformationLG went through the following matters arising and asked members to agree the minutes for accuracy.2.1 Update on Personal Health Budget leaflets is still required, and has been chased.3. Children with additional Needs (CWAN) launch will be announced soon. Adele wanted to thank SPCF for supporting the youth lead films developed by children & young people with SEND across Sefton as they are contributing some of their grant to the project.To access the films: https :// www.seftondirectory.com/kb5/sefton/directory/localoffer.page? localofferchannel=0

4. The Sefton Council Children & Young Peoples Substance Misuse health needs assessment report is out and will be circulated to members.See attached

LG to contact Trish Galloway

3. Asset-Based Community Development Actions/InformationJan Campbell introduced herself as the Adult Safeguarding lead at Sefton CVS.A conference to promote Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) in Sefton took place on Wednesday 15th March supported by L30 Millions and Public Health. Cormac Russell, a leading proponent of ABCD, was the keynote speaker. Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health promoted the “Pay it Forward” initiative which promotes acts of kindness as a model of prosocial community action. The conference featured tool kits that promote social action and sessions to initiate new community activities.Video of Cormac RussellWhat is Asset-Based Community Development?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqOhq--m8C4&feature=youtu.be

Organisations need to appreciate their assets, and help their staff learn to grow.They need to grow the assets of the individuals. Helping everyone be the best they can.

JC referred to the presentation given by Jane Foot who is an Independent Policy Consultant.Link given is Jane Foot’s talk on’ The Glass Half Full’ for the LGID.In it she quotes Michelle Obama:

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It’s a way of seeing the world“We can’t do well serving communities… if we believe that we the givers, are the only ones that are half-full, and that everybody we’re serving is half-empty… there are assets and gifts out there in communities, and our job as good servants and as good leaders… [is] having the ability to recognise those gifts in others, and help them put those gifts into action.”First Lady Michelle Obamawww.abcdinstitute.org/faculty/obama

JC explained Asset models emphasise the positive abilities, skills, knowledge and capacities of individuals and communities to activate solutions. The aim is to promote the self esteem and efficacy of individuals and communities as active agents in their own lives

Deficit models focus on identifying problems and needs that need professional resources to fill the gaps and fix the problems. People can come to feel disempowered and over-dependent

In reality, both assets and needs are important - need to redress the balance between the more dominant ‘deficit model’ and the less well known (and understood) ‘assets model’

JC spoke of the difference between children & adults& likened them to caterpillars and butterflies, some even see them as different species entirely. Whilst the caterpillar needs the nurturing the butterfly still isn’t the finished article. They are all a produce in development.JC spoke of the importance of recognising that everyone has assets but they are all different.She gave an example of a lady in a care home with dementia who only tapped on the table.It turned out she was at Bletchley park and she was tapping in code. She became a local celebritybecause they learnt what her assets were.

JC asked What is an asset?Going on to explain A factor (or resource), which enhances the ability of individuals, communities and populations to maintain and sustain well-being and healthSkills, capacity, knowledge, passions,Networks and connections –social capital – in a communityEffectiveness of local associations – formal and informalExternal resources that are accessible and available to support a communityPhysical, economic and environmental resources that enhance wellbeingOperate at the level of the individual, family and communityAny kind of community: geography, identity, interest

JC said Asset based development is fundamental to the work going forward.

An asset approach…. People are a resource – rather than a problem Identifies and connects the assets in a community that can enhance wellbeing values what works well in an area and identifies what has the potential to

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improve health and well-being sees citizens and communities as co-producers of their health and well-being,

rather than the recipients of services promotes community networks, relationships and friendships that can provide

caring, mutual help and empowerment supports individuals’ health and well-being through self esteem, coping

strategies, resilience skills, relationships, friendships, knowledge and personal resources

empowers communities to control their futures – capacity releasing creates tangible resources such as services, funds and buildings.

So what does this mean for our policies and practice? Asset mapping and connecting Appreciative tools: listening, inquiry Asset based community building –bottom up Neighbourhood based working –

care by and in the neighbourhood Facilitating problem solving and leadership Improving resilience and wellbeing Data & analysis …..

Intentional strategies to enhance resilience, strength, connections, capabilityResilience : “the ability to react and adapt positively when things go wrong”

Capability: the “ability to achieve certain lifestyles” (Sen)

Sustain networks – for individuals who are alone, isolated and living with limited capacity.

Connection with friends and family provides meaning, purpose – translates into taking better care and fewer risks

Being lonely is as bad for health as 15 cigarettes or being an alcoholic. Researchers found a 50% better survival rate if people belonged to a wider social group

(Holt Lunstad / Plos Medicine quoted Guardian 28/7/2010)

JC concluded that Recognising and releasing capabilities was important:Services must rid themselves of the legacy which sees those in hardship and poverty as being in deficit, and of less moral and social worth. Services that provide opportunities for clients to build self-esteem and confidence, and identify skills and aptitudes that would otherwise have gone unrecognised, are essential for improving life chances and individual well-being.

A Make a Difference kit was given to the attendees- this was to show how local ideas can be shared and taken forward by anyone.

‘The Great Get together’ in memory of Jo Cox is taking place on 17th July 2017.

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https://www.greatgettogether.org

Information packs can be obtained via the link above.Sefton CVS are hoping to have an event in their offices as they do not know the other workers on other floors of the building and it would be a great opportunity to get to know them.The organisations using the Strand by Me shop are getting together on the day.The Venus Centre are hoping to get together with Ykids.

4. Welfare Reform and Anti-Poverty Actions/InformationA meeting took place on 26th April for Welfare Reform & Anti-Poverty at Bootle town hall.Charlotte Bailey & Matt Ashton presented the action plan.

Discussions took place on the major concern that 44% of population below the average wage.Universal Credit having a huge impact, and in October all new clients will move to Universal Credit. The application process is an online creating further barrier for the digitally excluded.

Objectives of the Action Plan:Objective 1 -To develop a sustainable approach to emergency support and crisis intervention through a partnership approachObjective 2 -To take a proactive approach to helping those already in the welfare system to get out of the welfare systemObjective 3 -To build resilience in the wider population to prevent problems from arising and stimulate very early action workObjective 4 -To have an active role in the development of Multi-Agency Teams through the Early Intervention and Prevention agenda.Objective 5 -Co-ordinate training, data and communication and work to a set of agreed principles across the partnershipObjective 6 -Develop digital and online methods of information, assessment and support.

Summer 2017 – Lets Feed Sefton’s Children and Young People!

JC gave details of a new initiative for Summer 2017, after concerns have been raised that many families find the school holidays particularly difficult because they rely on the Free Meals during term time.

Hoping to put together a network of venues that will be able to offer Children and Young People between the ages of 5 to 18 free meals during the Summer Holidays.

To develop a comprehensive network of venues across the Borough a small questionnaire developed to ascertain who is likely to be able to assist in the service for our Children and Young People.

If you can provide meals even if it is once a week and we would like to know which meals can be offered please complete the questionnaire below. Partners will be approached to see if any financial assistance can be given to meet the additional costs of running this service.

The work will be with partners such as Sefton MBC, the CCG’s (NHS) as well as organisations such as Fairshare and our Foodbanks to source the food.

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5. Members Information Sharing and A.O.B Action/Information Venus Opens New Project to Promote Emotional Health And Wellbeing

The Venus Charity, held an opening day to celebrate their new Emotional Health and Wellbeing project for young people, the Star Centre.

Visitors were invited to drop in at the new project at the former Orrell Arts Centre between 3pm-5pm (Monday 5th June) to explore the new facilities and find out more about the service and support it will provide the community. There was also a chance to meet ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher who officially opened the centre!

The charity’s aim is to empower, promote and support women, young women and their children in developing their potential, recognising their choices, achieving their goals and challenging injustice.

For more information of the opening day contact the Venus Centre on 0151 474 4744

The Star Centre is based within the former Orrell Arts Centre/Orrell Library building on Linacre Lane, Bootle L20 6ES.

It will be open to young people Monday to Friday from 3.30-7.30pm and on Saturdays from 1-4pm, with a parents/carers drop-in session earlier in the day from 10am-1pm.

Autism Initiatives also shared information about a new service to schools- OSSME. See attached leaflets for details.

Date/Time & Venue of the next ECM Forum

Laura thanked the speakers for their presentations and members for attending the Forum.Next ECM Forum:

Monday 17th July 2017SING Plus, 53a Cambridge Road, Seaforth, L21 1EZ

Web: www.seftoncvs.org.uk/ecm/ Twitter: @ECMForumSCVS

Follow the ECM Forum on Twitter @ECMForumSCVSCheck out our web page and fortnightly bulletins at seftoncvs.org.uk/networks-forums/ ecm /

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