Issue - meetings

Miriam Leigh, Principal Educational Psychologist, to report.

Theresa Leavy (Executive Director Children Services) introduced the report on behalf of Vik Verma. The number of children who had completed the strengths and difficulty questionnaire had improved. The average score was down to 15.4, this was still elevated but the board were assured that they were looking to get this down by tracking all data. They were also informed of the work being done with schools around mental and physical health which made an impact on a child’s life. They were also working with schools around trauma and looking at ways to support them to focus on that. Working to ensure that children knew that a school was a place of safety and to create a sense of normality for them. The following discussion points were made:

·       The questionnaire could not be simplified, it was a standard questionnaire. The strengths and difficulties questionnaire were being promoted in all meetings. There were three different questionnaires, for the child over 11, foster carers and teachers. The questionnaire enabled at the identification of trends through the different surveys.

·       Relationship with partners in CAMS- this was an ongoing piece of work but would like to update members in the future of the waiting times, outcome and how successful this service has been.