To receive any apologies for absence, including notifications of any changes to the membership of the Committee.

Apologies for absence were received from Alison Brewer, Ian Ansell, Liz Thomas, Alison Hernandez who was represented by Lyn Gooding, Matt Johnson who was represented by Rich Morris, Caroline Taylor who was represented by Judy Grant, Paul Johnson and Councillor Darling (M).

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 23 May 2018.

This item was deferred to the next meeting.

To consider any other items that the Chairman/woman decides are urgent.

The Board considered the items in Minute 63 and 68, and not included on the agenda, the Chairman being of the opinion that they were urgent by reason of special circumstances i.e. the matter having arisen since the agenda was prepared and it was unreasonable to delay a decision until the next meeting.

To undertake a deep dive into ‘addressing inequalities in outcomes for children’.

Members received a presentation from Alison Botham, Director of Children Services.  Alison explained that she would focus on two areas of Children Services the number of children with special educational need (SEN) and the number of children in care.

Alison advised that Torbay was a statistical outlier regarding the number of pupils with statements or Educational Health and Care Plans (ECHP), so much so that Torbay skews the average for its statistical neighbours.  Despite such high levels of SEN pupils Torbay is positively recognised for its ability to assess the needs of children and put in place statements and ECHPs within statutory timeframes such positive action has received commendations from government ministers with Torbay being asked to share our experience and practices across the peninsula. 

Alison also explained that Torbay was an outlier in the number of children looked after.  Historically Torbay has always had a relatively high population of children looked after, whilst numbers steadied they have shown an upward trend in recent months.  Statistically Torbay is out of sync with national averages and statistical neighbours and ranks 5^th in the country for the number of children looked after.  Traditionally this problem has been seen as a ‘children services’ issue however children looked after is a whole system issue, how services for adults respond to the needs of children is just as important as how services for children respond.  Assessments for adult provision is based on the need of the adult, at what stage is the impact of the adults condition taken into account when considering the child?  How seamless does a young person move through the system from children services to adult services?  How can partners assist?

Members recognised that when commissioning services the specification of outcomes for providers could be amended to assist in a shift toward a whole system change rather than focusing on just adults or just children.  Members further welcomed the establishment of the Children and Young People’s Strategic Steering Group as set out in the Children’s and Young People Plan the membership of which includes representatives from education, social care, health and youth justice sectors.  Members were also of the view that statutory services could more affectively engage with the voluntary sector who had undertaken various projects and consultation with children, young people and families to assist the assessment of the needs of the whole family.

Actions:

1)      Tanny Stobart to circulate ‘Imagine this… what young people think would make Torbay a better place to live and grow up in’.

2)      Caroline Dimond to consider how to bring together all the survey work undertaken around children and young people.

3)      To form a Children’s Partnership Board.

The Board considered the refreshed Torbay Suicide and Self-harm Prevention Action Plan 2018-2019.  The Board was informed that the government’s national strategy and other national reports recommend local areas should develop multi-agency suicide prevention strategies and action plans in order to help reduce local suicides.  Locally the suicide prevention strategy is a collaborative document produced and shared by Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council which also aligns to the Devon Sustainability Transformation Partnership.  The action plan is framed around the seven national action areas and account for universal as well as targeted interventions as outlined in the Devon wide Suicide Prevention Strategic Statement.

The plan will be co-owned by a range of statutory and voluntary agencies, which will all participate by incorporating organisations’ actions into plans and working collaboratively to identify priority areas.

Members raised concerns with medication that may remain in the household following a suicide, of particular concern was stockpiles of medication in a household within which a vulnerable person was left behind.

Action: Paul Johnson to ask the Medicine Optimisation Group to consider systems that would avoid medication stockpiling.

Board members also raised examples where new buildings and infrastructure had created places that were easily accessible for those wanting to commit suicide such as bridges and wondered whether suicide prevention could be included in planning documents.

Action: Andrew Gunther to consider incorporating suicide prevention in the Healthy Torbay Supplementary Planning Document.

To consider a report on the above.

Tara Harris, Executive Head of Community Safety informed the Board that the Council formally adopted the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy on 19 April 2018.  The governance arrangements set out the levels of responsibility and accountability with any significant issues ultimately being reported to the Health and Wellbeing Board.  The Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Executive Group was chaired by Andy Dempsey, the former Director of Children Services, Alison Botham the new Director of Children Services had confirmed that she would assume the role.  Tara informed Members that she would present a performance dashboard at a future meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board in order for the Board to have oversight of the impact of the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Strategy. 

Tara advised the Board that the Council had gained accreditation from White Ribbon UK, White Ribbon UK works with men and boys to challenge male cultures that lead to harassment, abuse and violence.  Volunteer ambassadors engage with other men and boys to call out such behaviour among their peers and promote a culture of equality and respect.  Councillor Parrott implored partners to identify and encourage colleagues to become Ambassadors or Champions.

Action: Jason Preece, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Coordinator, to circulate marketing material regarding White Ribbon UK to all partners.

To consider the draft Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy prior to public consultation.

The Board considered a report that recommended the Elected Mayor commence public consultation on the refreshed Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.  Following a workshop in February 2018, the Health and Wellbeing Board agreed a set of priorities for the health and wellbeing system, as a whole, in Torbay.  It was recognised that there were a range of plans and strategies of a number of partnerships and organisations which aim to address these priorities.

Members were advised that the draft Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy appended to this report collates the goals and outcomes of those plans and strategies, as they relate to Torbay, into one Strategy.  As part of Torbay Council’s Policy Framework, the draft Strategy will be subject to consultation for at least six weeks.

Resolved:

That the Health and Wellbeing Board recommends that The Elected Mayor commence public consultation on the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

To note the work programme.

Members noted the work programme and requested an update on the Ageing Well Programme be added to the agenda for the 6 September 2018 meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

Paul Johnson of the South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group be appointed the Vice-Chairman for the 2018/19 Municipal Year.