Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Jones introduced the Early Help Hub report which explained that the Hub had been designed to enable the delivery of more timely and appropriate early intervention and support for families with greater needs.

            Over the summer the Hub undertook a ‘soft launch’ to test proposed procedures and joint working arrangements.  During this time referrals from partner agencies, that did not meet thresholds for children’s social services, were referred to the Hub.  A review of the soft launch had taken place which had identified positive outcomes as well as areas of process that could be refined and strengthened.  The Hub now accepted direct referrals from partner agencies and professionals and it was proposed that the Hub was formally launched to provide public access in April 2018.

            The Chief Officer (Social Services) added that the key aim of the Early Help Hub was to provide the greatest level of knowledge and analysis of all known intelligence and information across the multiagency partnership to ensure all children, young people and families had access to advice and information about relevant early support to build coping skills and address any problems before they became entrenched. 

            Councillor Shotton suggested that the Early Help Hub be brought to the attention of the Future Generations Commission for Wales to demonstrate how the work of the Hub aligned to the Future Generations Act, which was agreed.  He also requested a report back to Cabinet with an evaluation of the work which was also agreed.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Early Help Hub be endorsed to be formally launched which will accept direct referrals from the public in April 2018; and

(b)       That a formal evaluation of the Early Help Hub be endorsed within 12 months of operation.  The evaluation will provide an analysis of the resources offered by agencies, how effective they are, and the outcomes that are being delivered.