The Chair commenced the meeting by asking for round the table introductions and welcomed colleagues from Health; Jo Hooper, Joint Commissioning Manager (Children’s Services) SDHT CCG, Pamela Harvey, Community Dietician, Life Skills Trust and Sue Matthews, on secondment to Children’s Services from Public Health.

The Commission listened to a presentation by Jo Hooper entitled Income Poverty in relation to Child Health. Jo explained that her role in the CCG was very much about providing a commissioning of universal services based on the needs of local people in 5 localities led by GPs/clinicians.

The presentation highlighted:-

·         The role of a Joint Commissioner in SDT CCG

·         Extracts from the NCB 2013 report relating to the hidden costs of poverty and recession

·         Facts and figures from Torbay’s JSNA 2013 report findings which include an increase in troubled families referrals

·         Main priorities for the CCG included CAMHS, Integrated working with Public Health and Local Authorities, Complex care, Transitions, Children’s Community Nursing and Autism

·         CAMHS: high number of referrals from GP’s – it was noted by the Commission that more than half of the referrals were signposted to other agencies

·         Looked After Children: it was noted that the number of LAC in Torbay was above average and that health colleagues have reported an increase in LAC health reviews. 

The Commission requested more clarity around the extent of a young person’s health as a direct result of not having enough money and family breakdown.  In response Jo stated that in her role the CCG does not specially commission services linked to child poverty and that there was not an easy answer to providing data to support specific poverty factors, although these were available nationally.

The Commission questioned the ability of the Child Poverty Commission to influence future commissioning of services within the CCG and it noted that future plans to promote a better economic opportunities through neighbourhood Anti-Poverty Innovation Zones is being flagged as good practice together with recognising what works (e.g Hele) and the formation of Community Hubs. 

The Chair highlighted that the recent NCB 2013 report findings say that the situation today relating to children’s lives in poor health, underachievement at school and lack of opportunities to fulfil their potential is no better that it was in the NCB 1973 report.  It was agreed to circulate this report to Members.

The Commission noted that Torbay Council and Healthwatch are holding an event at Parkfield on 5^th October 12 pm – 6pm to enable young people from across the community to come together and have their say about what they think about living in the Bay and will include what services they would like to see.

Pam Harvey, Community Dietician summarised the views of her colleagues in the Life Skills Team in relation to child poverty and food which included:-

·         Low income – impact on health

·         Lack of knowledge/skills to prepare food (relying on convenient foods)

·         Anxiety about trying new foods (including weaning babies onto to inappropriate foods

Pam highlighted the practical support offered to families on low income through Health Start who following sign up by a health visitor provide vouchers for fresh and frozen food. 

The Commission questioned the cultural shift for young people for practical skills through the demise of schools stopping domestic science and the lack of extended family support; One to one support in life skills is available through Cook for Life, Anode and FAST (Save the Children)

The Chair thanked Jo, Pam and Sue for sharing their findings on tackling  child poverty in Torbay.

Action

i)             NCB report 2013 Great Expectations report to be circulated (SM)