Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chair of the Birth to Settled Adulthood Independent Delivery Board.

The Independent Chair of the Birth to Settled Adulthood (B2SA) Delivery Board introduced the report. The Independent Chair highlighted the programmes focus on early planning and preparation for adulthood, to avoid the ‘cliff edge’ at 18-years-old. She outlined three key risks to the programme which were: NHS structural changes and their potential impact on funding and commitment, however there was not currently any lack of commitment; Increasing complexity of young people’s needs, which was a national trend; and data integration challenges.

Committee members made comments and asked questions of the Independent Chair. The following points were raised:

·         Embedding the services would make a positive difference to young people’s lives, whilst it would save time and money for the council in supporting the transition between children’s and adult services.

·         Communications was an area which needed to be improved to show what the B2SA service had been achieving, its aims for the future, and managing expectations.

·         There were concerns about the work options available for young adults being supported by the B2SA service, as connecting to work was fundamental and it gives fulfilment. The Careers Hub worked with employers to become disability confident employers, however more of this was needed.

·         In looking for work and careers, it was essential that employers looked at what people can do rather than what they cannot do. It was suggested that the Independent Chair links with local business networks to talk to employers about this subject and B2SA.

·         Over 200 young people aged 16–18 were being supported in workplace placements, but it was unclear how many will transition into work.

·         A member suggested proactive engagement with Chambers of Commerce and asked what information could be provided to them. The Independent Chair advised there was information about the programmes, however not about individuals and their preferences, it was recognised this needed to be done to get more work experience for young people.

·         In relation to progress towards an integrated database between Adults, Children’s Services, and Health, the Independent Chair acknowledged this was a long-term goal, however there were difficulties in children’s services and adults’ data working together, and there were multiple incompatible health systems. Options were being explored to share information appropriately.

·         Asked whether an earlier diagnosis would be better in the long term for cost and planning, the Independent Chair felt that normal child development issues were being overmedicalized, however early identification of disabilities could be used to give young people the best start in life. 

·         There was a growing number of young people with complex needs, early support needed to be promoted to families, such as using family hubs. There was work with IMPOWER which was focussed on early intervention and meeting needs in a mainstream setting.

·         Small employers could be a better option for young people. The Independent Chair advised there was some work with small employers, but not enough. The Careers team could be contacted to discuss something for a local area.

·         Barriers for young people achieving steps towards settled adulthood often included self-belief and the opportunities available. There was a need to look at what individuals can do and creating an individual plan for them.

·         Mainstream schools were receiving funding to support children with additional needs. Pupils would have the opportunities to follow a mainstream pathway, rather than a SEND specific pathway, with some schools having a satellite special school providing a mixed timetable in a mainstream school.

·         A member asked how there would be feedback on B2SA. There would be a survey conducted by Oxford Brooks university to receive feedback, including from young people, however it was important to be in the right language to enable them to give true and honest feedback.

·         The Chair of the Dorset Parent Carer Council had been receiving good feedback from parents and thought services were more seamless with integration of health services. She emphasised that parents and young people’s voices needed to be included in data and feedback.

The Committee Chairman summed up the discussion. It was a complex area to bring services together, and it created a blueprint to move services forward by looking at the ‘whole person’. Whilst the committee has previously been critical of the programme, it was good to see the service progressing, however it needed to become outstanding. She emphasised the need to upskill the knowledge of local businesses.