Agenda item

Susan Claydon and Alex Hawley to present

Susan Claydon, Head of Locality and Family support and Alex Hawley, Public Health Consultant provided a Progress Update on the Family Hubs programme, and the following overview was provided:

•         The Family Hubs programme was co-launched with the Chair and Cabinet Member.

•         Rotherham was one of the seventy-five local authorities that had received the funding. The funding had been used to add value, to the already imbedded family working that was in place.

•         The key objective of the programme was to improve access to all service delivery. This was being achieved through a range of funding strands, a digital offer, perinatal mental health, publishing the start for life offer and establishing a parent carers panel. There was also an enhanced offer for parenting programmes and evidence-based programmes.

•         There had been a new universal health visit implemented between the period of three to four months, beforehand this had only been completed for families with complexities. Families with more complex needs would continue to be supported through Early Help assessments and plans.

•         From January, parents registered with the job centre would be able attend appointments on site, rather than travelling to the job centre building, this would ensure that services were more accessible.

•         The Satellite hubs was a key element and there would be digital development work completed to link the satellite hubs to the main hubs.

•         Digital Rotherham Inclusion officers were working on site and helping families who have families to accessing the available digital offer. All pregnant women and families had access to the Digital Parenthood programme. There was interactive video guidance which was a short video focused on helping the parent and child relationship.

•         The Liquid Logic Portal had been purchased to improve the process for partners when completing early help assessments.

•         Voluntary Action Rotherham were heavily involved in the delivery of work and were already recruiting volunteer mentors.

•         There had been many recruitments such as three additional nursery nurses, a specialist breastfeeding lead and two home learning officers.

•         It had been agreed that sites would seek UNICEF baby friendly accreditation.

•         In relation to the governance structure, the service was seeking better ways to work and as a result had given the responsibility of overseeing the funded workstreams with family hubs, to the steering group.

•         In relation to school readiness, it was noted that the first 1001 days were the most influential. The best start and beyond framework would assist school readiness. School readiness would be an on-going priority to seek system assurances.

Discussion ensued on the presentation with the following issues raised and/or clarified:

•         A balance was required between the online offer and the in-person experience that the Service provided. The services should be universal to enable people to access more tailored services when required and to ensure that the physical experience would match the online experience.

Resolved: - That the Health and Wellbeing Board:

1)    Noted the progress made in Rotherham’s Family Hubs programme.