Workshop 1: ‘Getting Started’

Wednesday 12th May 2010

Perseverance

Dublin City Children’s Services Committee

Ciarán Mc Namara Assistant City Manager

Dublin City Council

5 Top Tips

• Agree the role of Administrator /support• Members- (get the balance right)

• Terms of Reference (endorse Vision, Mission, Values already agreed at county /national levels)

• Focus Actions / Change the way of working (no cost implications to deliver)

• Persevere!

Our Achievements

• Establish & maintain our committee ( since late 2007)

• Workplan agreed (focused on interagency outcomes)

• Test our work at delivery /practical level (model area)

e.g.– Local Interagency Committee – Protocol for Case Management – HSE & Schools

• Achieve Evidence Based improved outcomes

BackgroundCSC’s were established at a ‘local’ level to support

National Children’s Strategy UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Towards 2016 – Lifecycle Approach National Children’s Strategy Implementation Group. OMCYA Priority actions

City/ County Development Boards

Dublin City Children’s Services Committee; One of the OMCYA’s4 Chosen pilot sites - HSE Chair, DCC Support / Assist

Background Indicators – How information is quantified

Agencies Reports Agencies produce reports on their services aims;

programmes & delivery. CSO –Data

Census Information + Statistical updates.National Reports (Biannual) National Wellbeing Indicators informs State of the Nation’s

Children (48+ indicators) including Health Promotion Research Centre.

Health Behaviour in School Aged Children (HBSC /NUIG)The Agenda for Children’s Services 7 National Outcomes for Children in Ireland

CSC Challenge • Test interagency collaboration & co-ordination

leading to improved outcomes • Measure outcomes linked to wellbeing• Identify gaps /blockages to delivering improvements • Integrate evidence based planning & delivery • Promote /achieve the Agenda for Children’s Services,

7 National Outcomes

Perseverance

DC CSC –MembershipRepresentation from the broad spectrum of statutory & nonstatutory services supporting children (0-18yrs) and theirfamilies.

Department of Social Protection – Information support.

Barnardos Dublin City Council (3)

Dublin City Childcare Committee City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee

Department of Education & Skills An Garda Siochána

HSE (3) National Education Welfare Board

Partnership Company’s (2) Probation Services

Steps / Review

CSO – Statistical information, population socio- economic profile/children & families Dublin City.

Audit of Members’ Services S.W.O.T. - Members Existing models of Interagency Activities in

Dublin City (Children’s Services)OMCYA 8 Step Framework (guidance)

Members – S.W.O.T.

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats

Coming together Geographic Area Whole City

Influence Change National Agenda

Experiences Previous models Been there!

Lifecycle Framework

Quantifying Success –Long term

Knowledge Wide –age Group 0-18 years

Recognition of developmental needs of the child

City wide implementation (size)

Agenda for Change Resources To study an area

Commitment to better outcomes for children

Multi Agency Languages

Make recommendations

Perseverance

Dublin City Children’s Services Committee

Endorse National – Vision– Goals √

– ValuesCommittee Agreed

– Terms of Reference √

Include – The Agenda for Children’s Services √

Our Terms of Reference

1. Each committee member will play a lead role in both testing and implementing of the lifecycle approach for children and will commit to promoting the interest of the child in their organisation.

2. The committee will demonstrate and record the benefits that can be achieved for children when organisations work together on policy development and delivery of services.

3. In order to develop a framework for child centred policy development and service delivery the committee will identify existing models of good practice and develop new models where necessary.

4. Each member organisation will work in collaboration with other members of the committee to improve policy development and delivery of services for children.

5. Each member organisation will seek to remove unnecessary duplication and blockages to the delivery of child centred policies and services both within their own organisation and in cooperation with other organisations

Our Actions

City too big to test effect of change across all services!

A chosen area in South West Inner City (model area) 5 themes agreed & Subgroups set up An Audit /Analysis conducted in the area, via our

members & those working in the area Workplans agreed Subgroups membership open to non DCCSC members

Key learning

• Recruitment of members – Those who have the authority to make decisions (strategic) – A representation of agencies delivering services to Children & Young people (too

big : too cumbersome) – Subgroups /thematic groups, can call upon additional agencies /members

• Administration for Committee– Nominate /Identify in a job description, there are a wide range of duties &

activities. Liaise /Contact/ Communication with CSC members & OMCYA Administration function, arranging meetings/ Agenda / Minutes/ Reports to

CSC & OMCYA Admin Role with subgroups & contact with additional subgroup members etc

/ Research Audit and Analysis, development & coordination of workplans

Perseverance

Our Contacts

Dublin City Children’s Services Committeec/o Community & Enterprise, Block 4 Floor 1, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8

T: 222 5438E: childrens.services@dublincity.ie W:www.dublin.ie/dcdb/dccsc