north lawarks€iire report · 112 to : social inclusion committee north lawarks€iire council...

112

To : Social Inclusion Committee

NORTH LAWARKS€IIRE COUNCIL

Subject: North Lanarkshire Children’s Services Plan Annual Review 1999

REPORT

From: Chief Executive

Date: 26 August 1999 1 Refi CD/02/CHILDSP

1 .o

1.1

2.0

2.1

2.2

3.0

3.1

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to seek committee approval for the North Lanarkshire Children’s Services Plan Annual Review 1999.

Background

The first North Lanarkshire Council Children’s Service Plan was published in 1998 and covers a three year period till 2001. The Plan is a requirement under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.

To monitor progress made towards fklfilling the commitments contained in the Plan, it is proposed that an Annual review is published. The Review informs members, Council Departments, other service providers, voluntary organisations and the wider public of the progress made towards the objectives of the Plan.

Children’s Service Plan Annual Review 1999

The Review reports on progress made in the first year of the Children’s Services Plan 1998-2001. The scope of the Review is wide ranging. The document has two main elements. Firstly, ‘Promoting The Well Being Of Children And Young People’. This covers services and universal issues for all children and young people up to 16 years in North Lanarkshire and includes:

e

e

e

e

e

e

e

e

e

e

e

Values and principles underpinning service delivery; Key points of the Children Act (Scotland) 1995; A profile on the needs of children in North Lanarkshire; Current and future expenditure on children’s services; Assessment and care planning; Health (including mental health and substance misuse); Learning and development (including early years); Children’s safety; Social Inclusion; Children’s rights; and Access to information and advice.

113

3.2 Secondly, ‘Children In Need’ is concerned with services to a smaller number of children and young people who have a need for care, attention and support due to their individual circumstances. This includes young people who are in need of particular support aged up to 21 years such as:

e Children and young people with and affected by a disability;

Children and young people who need to be looked after and accommodated; Young people aged 16 years and over; and Young people in need of guidance and support.

e Children in need of protection and family support; e

e

e

3.3 There is a ‘Tell Us What You Think’ section to let readers provide comments on the Review.

4.0 Financial and Personnel Implications

4.1 All identified commitments in the Review are funded through existing resources. The sources of funding have been identified to meet expenditure. Approval will be sought from respective service committees as new developments are progressed. 0

4.2 Some of the proposed developments in the Review have staffing and personnel implications for the major planning partners. Separate reports will be brought to the respective service committees for approval on a project by project basis.

4.3 The costs involved of printing and distributing 5,000 copies of the Review is 55,557. Costs will be shared by relevant Council departments.

5.0 Recommendations

5.1 The Social Inclusion Committee is requested to:

i) approve the Children’s Service Annual Review 1999; and

ii)

iii)

approve costs for the printing and distribution of the Review and

remit Children Service’s Plan Review 1999 to Departmental Service Committee’s.

114

NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL

CHILDREN’S SERVICES PLAN

ANNUAL REVIEW 1999 0

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115

CHILDREN’S SERVICES PLAN FOR NORTH LANARKSHIRE

1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 .

6 .

7 .

8

9 .

Annual Review 1999

Contents Introduction .................................................. Page 3

Values And Principles ..........................................

The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 ................................ Page 4

North Lanarkshire Profile ....................................... Page 5

How Much Are We Spending On Services? ........................ Page 6

5.1 Current Expenditure ............................................. Page 6

5.2 Purchasing Intentions 1999-2001 .................................. Page 7

Promoting The Well Being Of Chitdren And Young People ............ Page 12

6.1 Assessment And Care Planning ................................... Page 12

6.2 Health (Including Mental Health And Substance Misuse)

6.3 Learning And Development (Including Early Years)

6.4 Children’s Safety ............................................... Page 17

6.5 Social Inclusion ............................................... .Page 18

6.6 Children’s Rights ................................................ Page 20

................................ Page 21

.............. Page 13

.................. Page 15

6.7 Access To Information And Advice

ChildrenInNeed .............................................. Page 22

7.1 Children And Young People With And Affected By A Disability . . . . . . . . . . Page 23

7.2 Children In Need Of Protection And Family Support . ................. Page 24

7.3 Children And Young People Who Need To Be Looked After And Accommodated ............................................................. Page 25

7.4 Young People Aged 16 Years And Over ............................ Page 28

7.5 Young People In Need Of Guidance And Support .................... Page 29

Monitoring And Reviewing The Children’s Services Plan 1998-2001 .... Page 30

Tell Us What You Think .......................................... Page 31

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1 INTRODUCTION

The first Children’s Services Plan for North Lanarkshire, produced by North Lanarkshire Council in co-operation with Lanarkshire Health Board, Greater Glasgow Health Board, NHS Trusts, Strathclyde Police and the Reporter’s Administration was published in 1998.

This Annual Review is an update of the Children’s Services Plan 1998-2001. The Plan described a series of actions that the Council and its partners intend to implement to improve and integrate services. This Annual Review:

Sets out how North Lanarkshire Council prepares in a joint way with its partners the future provision of services.

Looks at future resources available to provide those services.

Reports on progress made in the first year of the Plan.

Describes a series of objectives and actions for the period 1999-2001.

Provides a focus for those who are involved in delivering services to children, young people, their families and carers. In addition the Review will be of interest to current and potential users of services.

The scope of the Review is wide ranging. It has two main elements. These are:

‘Promoting The Well Being Of Children And Young People’ covers services and universal issues for all children and young people up to 16 years in North Lanarkshire.

‘Children in Need’ is concerned with services to a smaller number of children and young people who have a need for care, attention and support due to their individual circumstances such as a child who has a disability. This also refers to some young people who are in need of particular support aged up to 21 years.

Further Information

For further information or copies, please contact:

Social Work Department Planning and Development Section Scott House 73-77 Merry Street Motherwell MLI 1 JE

TelO1698-332072

Other Relevant Publications

This Review reflects the same aims a North Lanarkshire Council Plans and strategies such as the:

Corporate Plan and Strategies

Community Plan

Youth and Community Safety Strategies

0th

0 Community Care Plan and Joint Accommodation Strategy

Housing Plan

Review of Services for Children Aged Under 8 Years

Pre-School Education and Child Care Plan

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2. VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

North Lanarkshire Council places the health, welfare and development of children at the centre of the planning and delivery of services.

The United Nations Convention On The Rights Of The Child

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international agreement to protect Children’s Rights and was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in

. 1989. In embracing the Convention, the United Kingdom government aims to promote the rights of children and young people aged

formally adopted the Convention in 1997. up to 18 years. North Lanarkshire Council

There are three main themes which should be promoted in services. These are:

Non-discrimination - all children have equal rights regardless of gender, race, language, religion, disability, opinion or family background.

Best interest - priority should be given to what is in the best interest for children.

The child’s view - children have the right to comment on issues which affect them.

0 North Lanarkshire Council is striving to implement the Convention by delivering services which incorporate the following values and principles.

The welfare of the child is paramount;

The views of the child must be taken into account;

Co-operation between relevant parties for the child’s benefit is essential;

117

All decisions affecting a child to be made without unnecessary delay; and

Partnership to be encouraged among children, parents and other relevant individuals.

3. THE CHILDREN (SCOTLAND) ACT 1995

The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 is the most important development in laws governing the care of children since the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968. The 1995 Act brings together different areas of law affecting children such as family, child care and adoption law.

The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 has an emphasis on child centred principles based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This can be summarised as children being entitled to:

Protection from ill treatment and harm;

Participation in decisions affecting them; and

Provision of services to meet their needs.

The Act explains the responsibilities of parents to their children including:

Safeguarding their health, development and welfare; and

Providing direction and guidance, maintaining regular contact and acting as a legal representative.

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118 4. NORTH LANARKSHIRE PROFILE

Year

1998

With a population of 326,720 North Lanarkshire Council is one of the largest unitary authority areas in Scotland. The Council and its partners aim to provide caring, open and efficient services and are intent in developing opportunities across a range of issues in partnership with the people and communities of North Lanarkshire.

Age Group Nos. (Percentage Change From 1998)

0-4 5-11 12-15 Total 16-17 18-21 Total

0-15 0-21

20,393 30,111 17,599 68,103 9,325 16,622 94,050

I

Table 1 : Population Proiections For North

Lanarkshire 1998-2008

2o02 18,974 28,576 16,814 64,364 8,656 17,089 90,109

(-6.9%) (-5.1%) (-4.5%) (-5.5%) (-7.2%) (16.7%) (-4.2%)

17,864 2008 (-12.4%)

26,114 15,731 i 59,709 1 8,517 15,730 83,9561 I

(-13.3%) (-10.6%) (-123%) (-8.7%) (-5.4%) (-10.7%)

Source: GRO MYE 30/6/98; 1996 based projections

There are presently over 68,000 children aged under 16 years, with a further 25,947 young people aged between 16-21 years.

It is projected that there will be a fall in the numbers of children and young people between 1998 and 2002 and again between 2002 and 2008. A particular decrease will occur in the 0-4 and 5-1 1 age groups.

It is estimated that there are over 2,000 children aged under 16 years in North Lanarkshire with a disability, with over 800 having a significant disability. There are many more children affected by the disability of another person within their own household.

More than 500 children have more than one kind of disability.

The 1991 Census recorded that:

2- there were 1,758 (2.5%) children aged under 16 years with a long term limiting illness.

15% of all children aged under 16 years lived in lone parent house holds.

23% of all children aged under 16 years lived in a household with no earner.

It is estimated that 20% of all children aged under 16 and 23% of under fives live on Income Support.

Of all primary and secondary school pupils, 25% receive free school meals and 39% receive clothing grants.

>

>

0

There are nearly 900 children with a record of special educational needs.

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5. HOW MUCH ARE WE SPENDING ON SERVICES?

This chapter summarises the cost of providing services to children and young people in North Lanarkshire and indicates the future purchasing strategy of the Council.

5.1 Current Expenditure

Figure 1 shows the budget of each department of North Lanarkshire Council in 1999/2000. The total budget was €373 Million. As over a quarter of North Lanarkshire’s population are aged under 21 years, a sizeable proportion of each department’s expenditure is spent on children and young people.

Fiaure 1 : North Lanarkshire Council Departmental

Expenditure As Percentacle of Total(l999/2000)

Planning & 6

En\ .6%

119 Tables 2 and 3 overleaf show North Lanark- shire Council Council’s Education and Social Work Departments expenditure on children’s services. In addition, Lanarkshire Health Board’s expenditure on purchasing services for children is a total of f26.6 Million, including €4.3 Million for children with special needs. Greater Glasgow Health Board spends a small proportion of its budget on purchasing health care within North Lanark- shire (less than 2% of the Board’s area lies within the authority).

Other departments of the Council spend substantial amounts on services which children and young people use. However, in the main, these services are not provided for children only and therefore to separate the information on expenditure for these departments would be inappropriate.

so

Administration 1.6%

- Chief Executive’s n .9% , - , I

I Se1 #%%

Zonstr

rvices

uction 1.5%

Services >

ronment

iousing . 2.2% Finance 3.5%

Source: North Lanarkshire Council. Figures do not include

ring fenced Housing Revenue Account of f95.3M.

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120 5.2 Purchasing Intentions 1999-2001

North Lanarkshire Council has a number of statutory duties and powers to provide and purchase a wide range of services for children and young people. Many services are provided directly by the Council, whilst other services are purchased from the independent sector.

The Council also provides support to voluntary and community groups whose activities complement its own direct service provision. Where necessary, provision for North Lanarkshire children and young people is commissioned from other local authorities and independent sector agencies.

Tables 2 and 3 overleaf describe in detail the present spending plans and future purchasing intentions of the North Lanarkshire Council Education and Social Work Departments, the two Council departments which spend most on services dedicated exclusively for children and young people and particularly those children in need.

Future purchasing arrangements may be subject to alteration, taking into account future central government allocations. Other departments of the Council spend substantial amounts on services which children and young people use. However, in the main, these services are not provided for children only and therefore to show future expenditure of the departments would be inappropriate.

The Council’s purchasing intentions increasingly include arrangements for the promotion of new providers, provider selection, contracting arrangements and the effective monitoring and review of contracted services which assists in stimulating independent sector activity.

There is already a mixed economy of service provision in North Lanarkshire. North Lanarkshire Council provides and purchases services which emphasise partnership and ‘Best Value’, ensuring that directly provided services offer ‘Best Value’ in terms of management, cost and quality. The Council strives to ensure that services provide ‘Best Value’ in comparison with other local authorities and independent sector providers.

Health Care Services

North Lanarkshire has some of the highest rates of long term limiting illness in Scotland. Health services children and young people in North Lanarkshire are assessed and commissioned by Lanarkshire and Greater Glasgow Health Boards. Around 95% of North Lanarkshire’s population is covered by Lanarkshire Health Board.

0

The comprehensive range of services provided include General Medical and Dental Practitioners who provide over 90% health care for children. Community child health, hospital paediatric departments and child and family clinics provide local specialist services. Some very specialised services are provided at locations outwith North Lanarkshire (e.g. Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow). Children and young people are an importan focus for The National Health Service in Scotland.

-

f.

Lanarkshire Health Board is reviewing all health services for children and considering joining all specialised services into a single Department of Child Health.

Since publication of the Children’s Services Plan 1998-2001, there have been changes in the NHS brought about by the White Papers ‘Designed To Care’ and ‘Towards A Healthier Scotland’.

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121

These include the:

Reduction in number of NHS Trusts to two types in each Health Board area. Acute Trusts have responsibility for general hospitals and associated services. Primary Care Trusts are responsible for community, priority and primary care services, including some hospital services;

Development of Local Health Care Co-operatives consisting of groups of GP practices; and

Development of five year Health improvement Programmes.

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Table 2: Current And Future Purchasing Intentions By North Lanarkshire Council Education Department 1999-2001

Service Type ~~

Sector 1999/2000 2000/2001 Volume Expenditure Volume Expenditure

Nursery Classes

, Childrninders/Day Carers

Local Authority

~ ~~~~

Nursery Schools

Nursery Centres

Early Years Services

49

8

14

61

73

25

133 Primary Schools (Including Units)

3,080 3,337,090

1,695,971 826

1.134 2,874,622

1,433 61,410

650 483,395

36 56,290

29,181 62,040,022

Local Authority

Local Authority

Local Authority

Independent (Voluntary)

50

8

16

61

73

25

133

Independent (Private)

3,280 3,337,090

1,695,971 826

1,478 2.874,622

1,433 61,410

650 483,395

36 56,290

28,988 61,924,525

Secondary Schoofs (Including Units)

Special Schools

Network Teaching Support To Schools (Including Learning, Behavioural,

Bi-lingual And Audiological Support

72,942,440 Local Authority 26 22,729

6,919,471 Local Authority 12 772

Independent 17 78 1,298,230

1 18.3 F.T.E. 3,161,840 Local Authority

26

12

17

72,977.731 22,882

6,919,471 772

78 1,298,230

1 18.3 F.T.E

I ~ ~~~~ ~ ~~ ~~

Hospital And fiome Tuition Services I Local Authority I 2.99F.T.E I 65,000

3,161,840

Special Needs Education Auxiliaries Support Local Authority 108.79 F.T.E 1,113,220

2.99 F.T.E

108.97 F.T.E

NB: In year 2000/2001 figures are indicative only. Projected inflation, potential savings or growth not included.

65.000

1,113,220

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Table 2 (Contd.): Current And Future Purchasing Intentions By North Lanarkshire Council Education

23.1 Psychologists F.T.E

11.26 F.T.E

Service Type

1,182,759

271,924

Sector

6.1 15

- 420

- 9,217

- 21,500

Expenditure Expenditure

426,730

637.940

3,520,897

1,100,700

I Educational Psychology Service I Local Authorily

- - - -

2

1

81,9000

I Teacher Support For Social Work (Including lntcrmediate Treatment And Assessment) I Local Authority

420

9,217

21,500

1,200

8

7,252

3,551

637,940

3,520,897

1,100,700

743,000

52,560

368,895

861,747

21,850,000

1 Speech & Language Therapy (Sessions) I Health Board I 6,115 I 426,730 I

- 1,200 743,000

2 6 39,420

1 7,252 368,895

861,747

21,850,000 -

School Transport Provision

Footwear And Clothing Grants

I Higher School Bursaries

Dance Music School Provision

Outdoor Education

Specialist Music Instruction (Sessions)

Loan Charges

Local Authority

Independent

Local Authority

Local Authority

Local Authority

Local Authority

Local Authority

rucal Authority

NB: in year 2000/2001 figures are indicative only. Projected inflation, potential savings or growth not included.

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I 23.1 Psychologists F.T.E I 1,182,759 I I 11.26 F.T.E I 271.924 I

Table 3: Current And Future Purchasing Intentions By North Lanarkshire Council Social Work Department 1999-2001

Service Type Sector 1999/7.000 31)00/7.001 Volume Expenditure Volume Expenditure

Units Places (E, Units Places (E)

Residential Units

Special Residential Schools (Including Secure 2nd Itcsourcc (‘entres)

Special Residential Schools Excluding I h p i t e

Family Support And Child Protection Services

I.ocal Authority 5 52 2,378,060

I m x l Authority 3 6 485,241

Independent 11 24 1,009,933

Independent 6 9 257,369

Local Authority

Independent

Young Peoples Support Services

6 1 oa* 1,022,470

3 NIA 25,678

6 108* 1,022,470

Fostering And Adoption Services

3

8

I Local Authority I 4 I ~ 218* I 1,680,635 I

NIA 25,678

227* 1,610,195

I Independent I 1 I N/A I 10,000 I

~~

Local Authority

Independent

Services For Young People Aged 16 Years And Over Local Authority 2 40* 308.775

Independent 6 19* 199,465

Iacal Authority 2,617,363 -

Directly Provided Staffing And Support Services

~~ ~~

a 227* 1,610.195

4 61 * 244,571

~~~ ~

I Indirect Support Staffing And Services

Services For Those With and Affected By Disability Including Respite

I Local Authority I I 248,230 1

Local Authority 2 1 5* 245,109

Independent 9 88* 21 8,415

I Other Services I Local Authority I I 744,615 I

2,378,060

11 24 1,009,933

6 I 9 I 257,369 I

4 I 61* I 244,571 I 2 I 15* I 245,109 I 9 I 88* I 218,415 I 4 I 218* I 1,680,635 I 1 1 NIA I 10,000 I 2 40* 308,775

6 1 9* 199,465

2,617,363

248,230

744,615

* Number of places shown is minimum provided or purchased. Expenditure includes wide range of generic and specialist services. Number of individuals receiving service is dependent

upon demand.

NB: In year 2000/2001 figures are indicative only. Projected inflation, potential savings or growth not included.

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6. Promotinq The Well Beina Of Children And Young - People This chapter covers issues which affect all children and young people including their rights, health, education, development, safety, welfare and equality of opportunity.

~

6.1 ASSESSMENT AND CARE PLANNING

This section deals with the way in which the needs of children and young people are assessed and how their support is managed.

What Are Our Main Objectives?

To ensure that every child or young person requiring services is assessed according to their

needs.

To ensure that the needs of carers are assessed separately.

To ensure that service users and their carers participate in their own assessment care planning.

To ensure that all Council departments and other relevant agencies work closely in the

assessment process.

To ensure that service users and their carers have access to information on their assessments

and available services. .

Progress So Far

What Progress Have We Made? Introduced service standard targets for assessment completion.

Introduced a Service Charter for all Council services which emphasises high levels of service standards.

Developed training for social work and housing staff in young homelessness protocols.

Action Plan

What Is Our Action Plan For 1999-2001?

Develop a comprehensive assessment framework for children and young people which will further

reflect the needs of children with a disability.

Improve cross-agency management information systems by developing the ways in which

children and young peoples’ needs are recorded.

involve children and young people in the development of assessment procedures

Give children, young people and their carers a copy of their own assessment .

Further develop training for social work and housing staff in young homelessness assessment

protocols.

Timescale 199912000

J

J

J J J

200012001

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6.2 HEALTH (INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE MISUSE)

Extended family planning clinic opening hours.

J +

This section is concerned with protection and promotion of the health of all children and young people and providing services for those in particular need.


To assess the health needs of children in co-operation with the Health Boards.

To raise awareness of the importance of healthy behaviour among children and young people, and prepare them to make informed choices about their own health. In particular, raise levels of awareness and skills in relation to smoking, diet, alcohol, drugs and other addictive substances, sexual health and oral health.

To gain a fuller understanding of the impact of social exclusion on the health of children and young people and to work together with local communities to promote better health.

To offer a system of surveillance of children‘s health at home and in school which targets the health of those at greatest risk.

To offer a comprehensive programme of immunisation and vaccinations. 0

To offer a comprehensive range of children’s health services from primary care to specialist care.

Progress So Far ~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~

What Progress Have We Made? Completed a review of paediatric and child health services.

Consulted with young people on their participation in developing, delivering and evaluating health services.

Included Child and Adolescent Mental Health as a priority in the North Lanarkshire Strategy for developing mental health

services.

i Included a major section on improving health of children in Health Board’s Health Improvement Programme for

1999-2004.

Reduced waiting times for an appointment for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams.

Developed and introduced breast feeding information to schools.

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Action Plan

What Is Our Action Plan For 1999-ZOOl?

Establish ‘Reach Out’ support project for children whose parents have mental health problems

Review provision of in-patient care of children with severe mental health problems.

Work to implement the recommendations of the research by Turning Point and review of services

by the Drug Action Team.

Establish a Department of Child Health incorporating all children’s health services in Lanarkshire.

Continue development of shared information between Council departments and health agencies

to support care of children with special needs.

Complete a health needs assessment for vulnerable young people.

Introduce universal screening of pregnant women for Hepatitis B and immunisation for babies at

risk.

Participate in the national information system for school health surveillance.

Provide new paediatric units at new hospital in Wishaw.

Timescale 199912000

J J J

J J

J J

J

2000/2001

J

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6.3 LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT (INCLUDING EARLY YEARS)

This section is concerned with range of services available to support children’s education and learning.


To raise achievement levels of all children and young people in North Lanarkshire.

To offer children of school age an education appropriate to their needs and development.

To offer an appropriate range of early years services including pre-school education.

To offer a comprehensive range of support including assessment, learning support, psychological, community education, guidance and support services.

Progress So Far ~

What Progress Have We Made? All children in their pre-school year are offered a nursery place. Similar provision for 3 year olds is being extended from

1999 onwards.

Targeted staffing resources to support school-based initiatives such as reading, numeracy and alternative to exclusion

programmes.

Established a comprehensive education policy ‘Raising Achievement’ for all children.

Developed home/school partnership projects including encouraging parenting skills and educational opportunities.

Established local child care partnerships in line with central government guidance and the national Child Care Strategy.

Extended community education support for youth initiatives at local level such as training opportunities.

Begun to improve inter-agency assessment procedures including identifying special needs at an early age and future

needs of children with special needs who may be leaving school.

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129 Action Plan


Class sizes will be reduced in line with targets set by central government.

Increase links between the Education and Community Services Departments to assist with the

planning and delivery of after school programmes and events.

Develop strategies for setvices for young people with reference to libraries, play, sport and fitness

provision.

Introduce a Community Learning Strategy.

Establish a ‘Community School’ to promote social inclusion and increase standards at Castlehill

Primary School, Gowkthrapple, Wishaw as part of the Government’s ‘Community Schools

Initiative’.

Improve special educational provision by providing additional dedicated places appropriate with

identified need for children with emotional and behavioural problems, children with sensory

impairment, children with a motor impairment. and children with language and communication

difficulties.

Nursery place provision for 3 year olds to be extended.

Further improve inter-agency assessment procedures including identifying special needs at an

early age and future needs of children with special needs who may be leaving school.

Continue in-service and staff development programmes on issues such as the Children (Scotland)

Act 1995 and the Government report “Effective Provision For Special Education Needs”.

Further expand early years services in line with the national Child Care Strategy.

Timescale 1999/2000

J J

J

J J

- 2000/2001

J

J

J J

J

J


130


Install Closed Circuit Television scheme in Craigneuk, Wishaw and the town centres of

Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.

Extend Scottish Criminal Record Office checks for all staff who work directly with children to other

services.

Expand the range of road safety materials and information available.

Implement further traffic management and calming schemes.

6.4 CHILDREN’S SAFETY

This section identifies the possible risks to children’s safety and what steps can be taken to minimise them.


To ensure that children live in and are educated in a safe and supportive environment.

To protect children from all forms of abuse, danger, exploitation and harm.

To reduce the incidence of accidental injury or death to children in the home, at school and on the road.

To address children’s concerns on safety.

Progress So Far

Timescale 199912000 2000/2001

J

J

J J

What Proaress Have We Made? Installed Closed Circuit Television scheme in Greenend, Coatbridge and Coltness, Wishaw.

Introduced school security measures whereby every educational establishment has to have a security plan and controlled

door entry system.

Piloted “Fit Safe, Sit Safe” project to provide free advice on car child safety seats.

Regularly inspected every play area.

Established range of road safety information and support packages and made them available to children, their parents, all

nurseries and playgroups, health visitors, childminders and nursery teachers.

Introduced innovative safety promotion programmes for children and young people including safer routes to school,

calendar competitions, theatre tours, travel packs, pre-driver education and cycling proficiency.

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6.5 SOCIAL INCLUSION

0

This section is about social exclusion where children and young people may be excluded from fulfilling their true potential in society on grounds such as poverty and disadvantage, and the responses to these issues.


To break the links between deprivation and under achievement.

To improve the quality of life for disadvantaged children and young people.

To secure the availability of quality housing, providing affordable, warm, damp free accommodation.

To improve access by children and young people to educational and other opportunities.

To provide direct financial assistance to children and young people living in poverty including clothing and footwear grants.

To develop closer working between agencies to tackle poverty and disadvantage.

To ensure that every individual is treated with respect and fairness.

To take positive action to counter discrimination and encourage equality of participation and cultural diversity.

To support all children in achieving their potential by removing barriers to learning and provide services which are sensitive to the needs of children and young people.

Progress So Far ~~

What Proaress Have We Made? Established the North Lanarkshire, North Motherwell and South Coatbridge Social Inclusion Partnerships.

Established Social Inclusion Committee of the Council which will oversee policies on social inclusion.

Developed the Management Group in the Motherwell Partnership Area in conjunction with local communities.

Produced a welfare benefits 'quick guide' and launched an Income Support take up campaign to maximise household

income for low income households.

Agreed Joint Investment Strategy with Scottish Homes to assist in improving housing conditions and regenerate

communities in areas of deprivation.

In 1998/99 the Council invested over f7.8M in programmes to improve the energy efficiency of 4,000 properties.

Supported a range of community groups which promote a reduction in living costs such as credit unions, food

co-operatives, furniture re-cycling schemes and fuel outreach projects.

Supported voluntary organisations helping communities to respond to poverty such as Scottish Forum Against Poverty,

the Poverty Alliance and the Scottish Low Pay Unit.

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Action Plan

What Is Our Action Plan For 1999-ZOOI?

Further develop consultative arrangements on key issues with disabled and disadvantaged groups

including a Disability Advisory Group.

Provide staff training and raise awareness on equal opportunities.

Continue to support voluntary organisations helping communities to respond to poverty and

promote equal opportunities.

Continue to develop support and day care services particularly for lone parent families in line with

the Local Child Care Plan.

Continue to develop an integrated service for all benefits administered by the Council.

Continue to promote the Council’s Social Strategy and Equal Opportunities Policy.

Undertake an ‘Access Audit’ to assist the Council achieve its responsibilities in connection with the

Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Timescale 199912000

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20M)/2001

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0‘ What Progress Have We Made? il

Consulted widely with children and young people on the Children’s Services Plan 1998-2001.

Established range of consultation mechanisms which help children and young people inform service planning and delivery.

Produced a Charter of Rights and Responsibilities for young people.

Published a monthly Children’s Rights Newsletter.

6.6 CHILDREN’S RIGHTS


Undertake detailed consultation with children and young people who are ‘looked after and

accommodated’.

Develop a code of confidentiality for working with young people

Produce a consultation strategy for young people.

This section is about safeguarding and promoting the rights of children and young people.


To ensure that children views are taken into account in the planning and delivery of services.

To enable children to participate in decisions which affect their lives.

Timescale 199912000 20M112001

J

J J

To consult with children, young people their families and carers in ways that are accessible to them.

To assist children by providing appropriate information, guidance and support.

To incorporate the principles of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child into service planning and delivery.

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6.7 ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND ADVICE

This section is about access to information and advice services which children and young people, their families or carers may require.

Produced information on relevant Council services in plain English and accessible formats.

Consulted widely with children, parents, carers and service providers on the Children’s Services Plan 1998-2001.

Funded and worked with voluntary organisations such as the YMCA and Focus Youth Project to provide access to

information and advice to young people.

Targeted the provision of information and advice services to children on guidance networks in schools, opportunities for

using information technology, supported accommodation and employmentltraining advice projects.

4

:


To develop provision of information and advice services targeted specifically to the needs of children and young people.

To empower young people by increasing the control they have over their lives.

Progress So Far h I/ What Progress Have We Made?

Action Plan ~~ ~~


Produce a Council Tenants Handbook.

Develop a North Lanarkshire Youth Strategy to assist in addressing the needs of young people.

Provide better information to children and young people if they are ‘looked after and

accommodated’.

Continue to produce information on relevant Council services in plain English and accessible

formats including Braille, audio cassette and appropriate minority ethnic languages.

Create a network of young persons information points and youth forums throughout North

Lanarkshire.

Timescale 199912M)O

J J J

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200012001

4 J

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7. Children And Youna People In Need This chapter is concerned with children and young people who are in need and who may require particular support or services.

Section 93(4) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 defines children in need as “in need of care and attention” because:

He/she is unlikely to achieve or maintain, or have the opportunity of achieving or maintaining, a reasonable standard of health or development unless there are provided for him/her, services by the local authority.

His/her health or development is likely to be significantly impaired or further impaired unless services are provided for him/her.

Helshe is disabled.

He/she is affected adversely by the disability of any other person in his/her fami I y .

North Lanarkshire Council also considers children who are ‘looked after and accommodated’ in terms of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 as being in need. *

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7.1 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AND AFFECTED BY A DISABILITY

Timescale 199912000 200012001

This section refers to children and young people who require care, attention and support because they have a disability or are affected by the disability of another member of their house hold.


To work in partnership with children, young people, their families and carers to develop a comprehensive range of community social, educational, health, cultural and leisure services,

To ensure that the needs of children with disabilities are recognised as early as possible to ensure that effective plans are made for the future.

To improve the nature and scale of respite provision, including emergency respite.

To provide an education which meets the needs of all children, including those with a disability.

Progress So Far

What Progress Have We Made? Expanded the shared care respite scheme.

Introduced ways of assisting children with a disability to comment on services.

Provided Special Needs Careers Advisers in schools.

Provided extra speech therapy support for schools.

Action Plan

Appoint an additional two social workers for children with special needs to develop services to

children with and affected by disability and link with special education schools and community care

services.

Establish regular consultation with children and young people with and affected by disability and

their carers on a regular basis.

Further expand the shared care respite scheme.

Develop non-centre based day services.

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B

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7.2 CHILDREN IN NEED OF PROTECTION AND FAMILY SUPPORT

This section refers to children in need of protection from harm.


To promote community support services for families.

To develop services in partnership with users, communities and voluntary groups.

To apply the principles of minimum intervention to services.

To promote equal access to services across North Lanarkshire.

Progress So Far

What Progress Have We Made? Developed in co-operation with Lanarkshire Health Board a ‘Violence Against Women’ Project in the Motherwell North

Partnership Area. This project assists women and children in violent domestic situations and promotes community safety.

Developed a Community Safety Strategy for North Lanarkshire. .I Action Plan


~~

Develop supported accommodation for young single mothers in co-operation with other housing

providers.

Improve the monitoring and reviewing of social work practice with children and families.

Implement Government guidance on inter-agency child protection.

Provide extra support to help young mothers access nursery provision for children aged between

0-3 years.

Continue to increase the number of parenting skills groups for young parents.

Increase the number af refuge places in Wishaw.

Introduce new child protection procedures in co-operation with eleven other local authorities.

Timescale 199912000

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J J J

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200012001

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7.3 CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO NEED TO BE LOOKED AFTER AND ACCOMMODATED

4

What Progress Have We Made? Reshaped the balance of provision and created more community support instead of residential solutions.

Began programme of training for children’s homes managers.

introduced innovative ways of consulting on services with children who are ‘looked after and accommodated’.

improved night staffing levels in smaller sized children’s homes. c

This section refers to children and young people who are unable to live with their parents or carers and require alternative accommodation for short or long periods.

Accommodation with support is provided in a range of settings such as a children’s home, a residential school or foster parents. The section has 2 parts. These are:

2- (a) Residential services; and

> (b) Fostering and adoption services.

7.3(a) Residential Services


To provide or purchase safe, homely and well maintained environments for children within their own localities which meet their educational, social and developmental needs.

To ensure the participation of young people in developing the ethos of the home in which they 0 live and the services which support their social development.

To improve inter agency working and planning for young people in residential establishments.

To have more trained staff in establishments.

To improve the prospects for young people in their educational qualifications, employment and housing opportunities.

To provide flexible and responsive services to meet the needs of large family groups.

To ensure that children under twelve years of age are located in non-residential resources.

To ensure that young people are appropriately prepared for leaving care.

To develop an integrated residential care and foster care service.

0

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Action Plan


improve regularity and quality of staff supervision in children’s homes.

Increase the proportion of young people aged over 12 years attending their service reviews for

those in residential care.

Provide dedicated transport for each children’s home.

Increase opportunities for children to take up leisure and recreational pursuits.

Improve the physical standard and maintenance of children’s homes.

Upgrade an existing children’s home in Airdrie.

Improve further both the staffing levels the training of staff in children’s homes.

Implement joint education and social work training on care and control issues.

Introduce interviews for children leaving care and a tracking system which will monitor their

progress.

Timescale 199912000

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200012001

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7.3(b)Fosterins And Adoption Services


To increase the number of approved carers and to ensure that carers are offered adequate support.

To continue to develop a training programme for approved carers and encourage their participation.

To provided a range of post adoption services for birth families, adult adoptees and adoptive families.

To ensure that placements be local and meet the particular needs of children as specified in their individual care plans.

Progress So Far

What Progress Have We Made? Eleven additional temporary foster carers have been recruited, of which six are being assessed for approval. Another five

are being trained.

Enhanced Foster Allowances for all children, particularly for children aged over 12 years.

Developed existing recruitment programme.

Established rolling training programmes for foster carers involving issues such as child development and protection,

communication skills and post-placement working.

Developed a post-adoption contact service.

Developed a post-adoption counselling service and information exchange which helps contact between birth and adoptive

families and adopted children and adults.

Set up an Adoption Counselling Development Forum.

Established 3 support groups for approved adopters, adoptive families and permanent foster carers.

Action Plan

What Is Our Action Plan For 1999-2001? 11 Timescale 11 1999/2000

J J J J

Start a Foster Care Consultative Group to consult on practice issues.

Permanency plans systems and procedural guidance will be put in place.

Appoint 3 social workers to help improve adoption and fostering services.

Develop existing resources and recruit new foster carers to provide emergency placements

outwith normal working hours.

Provide a respite care network for fostering and adoptive families by developing existing

resources and through the recruitment of carers.

200012001

4

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7.4 YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 16 YEARS AND OVER

This section refers to young people aged over 16 years who are looked after by the Council. It also includes young people under 21 years who were previously looked after by the Council or vulnerable for other reasons.


To offer young people a flexible range of support and accommodation which meets their identified needs and assist them to live successfully in their own communities.

To provide every young person who has been accommodated or is assessed as requiring support to have an action plan including where appropriate:

2- A co-ordinated multi-agency service.

2-

> Careers guidance.

e Employment, health, training, youth work, education and leisure opportunities

0 To ensure that no young person is without accommodation.

Progress So Far

L Ensured that each young person, where appropriate, has an action plan identifying tasks, roles and responsibilities.

Established access to four local Community Education information technology centres to provide access to training.

Established the ACCESS Project which will provide employment and training advice for homeless people through the New

Futures Initiative.

Action Plan


Further expand services within local Community Education information technology centres to

provide access to training.

Introduce ‘drop in’ services including health issues for young people living in supported

accommodation in Coatbridge.

Increase the range and choice of accommodation and support services for young people.

Develop ‘On-Track’ programme to assist vulnerable young people in the job market.

Develop further services for unemployed and vulnerable young people by accessing appropriate

funding through partnership between the Council, Careers Services and Lanarkshire Development

Agency.

Extend Healthy Living Project to other supported accommodation places.

Timescale 1999/2000

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200012001

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7.5 YOUNG PEOPLE IN NEED OF GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT

This section refers to young people who are at risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system or accommodated and who require particular support services.


To develop a range of community based programmes or services appropriate to the welfare, developmental and risk needs of individual children and young people.

To improve early identification of vulnerable children and young people and create more opportunities to assess young people's needs and sustain them within their home environment.

To use minimum intervention and voluntary measures of care and resources in preference to statutory provision and the continued development of child care resources to divert young people from the criminal justice system. 1

To develop appropriate methods of evaluating the services and resources through consultation with young people.

Proaress So Far

What Progress Have We Made? Improved links between educational psychologists and the Social Work Department.

Developed closer links between social work and community education services to offer young people access to a range of

youth programmes.

Set up projects in Wishaw and Cumbernauld to help tackle the problems of young offenders.

Improved risk assessment procedures for young people.

Action Plan


tmplement code of practice for the processing of Children's Hearing Cases.

Improve young people's access to employment by creating further facilities for vocational skills training such as

pre-training and Skill Seekers programmes.

Extend intensive programmes for those at risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system.

Review existing use of foster care resources to provide respite care facilities in each locality.

Further improve links between educational psychologists and the Social Work Department at a local level.

Improve assessment skills of staff and introduce multi-agency assessment framework.

Introduce mediation services for young people.

~~ ~ ~

Timescale 1999/2000

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8. MONITORING AND REVIEWING THE CHILDREN’S SERVICES PLAN 1998-200 1

This Review describes progress being made towards meeting the objectives and completion of the action plans contained in the Children’s Services Plan 1998-2001, It will be updated annually. This is a key part in measuring the effectiveness of how services meet the identified needs of children and young people in North Lanarkshire.

Monitoring and reviewing the Plan is undertaken by a Children’s Services Strategy Group. The Group has a wide remit and reviews national and local policy developments which concern all children’s services. Membership of the Group is drawn from relevant North Lanarkshire Council Departments, Strathclyde Police, Lanarkshire and Greater Glasgow Health Boards and the Reporters Office. The group meets on a regular basis and is chaired by North Lanarkshire Council’s Chief Executive’s Department.

’

There is an ongoing process of consulting with service users, their carers, service providers and other interested individuals and organisations which informs the monitoring and review process. This in turn is linked to the ongoing evaluation of existing and

I planning of new services.

Progress on the implementation of the Plan is reported through the Social Inclusion Committee, the Policy and Resources Committee and the respective departmental service committees of the Council.

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9. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK

If you wish to make any comments, you can let us know what you think by:

filling in the special comments box and/or

writing to the address shown below.

Please return to:

Children’s Plan Review 1999 North Lanarkshire Council Social Work Department Planning Section Scott House 73-77 Merry Street Motherwell MLI 1 JE

Tel: 01 698-332072 F a : 01 698-332097

Name

Address

Post Code

Comments .


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