Agenda item

The Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee commissioned a Family Hubs Working Group to better understand and review progress of the implementation of Family Hubs in BCP. 

The purpose of this report is to inform the committee of the output of the working group, including suggested recommendations.

The Cllr Olivia Brown presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee commissioned a Family Hubs Working Group to better understand and review progress of the implementation of Family Hubs in BCP.

The purpose of this report was to inform the committee of the output of the working group, including suggested recommendations.

The Committee discussed the report, including:

• The Committee was advised of an error in the report, which stated that the visit had taken place at the Kinson Hub, when the Working Group had in fact visited the Poole Town and West Howe Hubs.
• In response to a query raised regarding staff engagement, the Committee was advised that staff had welcomed the opportunity to speak openly with Members, and that the visits had provided valuable insight into frontline practice.
• Members of the working group advised of the strength of community engagement, and the Committee was informed that this continued to be a notable feature of the hubs’ work, with teams actively building relationships with families and local organisations.
• In response to a query regarding staff support and retention, the Committee was advised that staff feedback had been positive overall, and that ongoing professional development, wellbeing arrangements and reflective practice remained priorities.
• In response to a query raised regarding performance and impact measures, and the Committee was advised that work was underway to further develop clear KPIs relating to inclusivity, accessibility and engagement, supplemented by improved data and feedback mechanisms.
• In response to a query raised regarding future oversight, the Committee was advised that the Best Start in Life programme would provide the framework for further development, with the first hub identified at Boscombe, and it was agreed that an update on the programme would be brought to the Committee at the June meeting following publication of the Local Plan in March. ADD TO WORK PLAN
• The Committee agreed in the value of maintaining dialogue, and that informal engagement, including rapporteur arrangements, would support continuous visibility and strengthen Member-officer relationships going forward.

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the report and agreed the following recommendations arising from the Family Hubs Working Group.

The Committee agreed the Working Group’s recommendations to Officers:

1. Continue to build on the strong foundations of community engagement, with a focus on inclusivity and responsiveness.
2. Explore ways to support staff wellbeing that are informed by staff experiences and feedback.
3. Develop clear measures of effectiveness relating to Family Hubs, with key performance indicators focused on reach, inclusivity and responsiveness to evolving community needs, supported by improved data collection and feedback.

Note: These recommendations are directed to the Head of Service, Early Help and Targeted Intervention, and the Director of Children’s Social Care.

The Committee agreed to make Cabinet aware that the Working Group recommended Cabinet:

4. Notes the scrutiny that has been undertaken on Family Hubs and the Working Group’s finding of the strong staff commitment to community engagement.
5. Endorses continued support for Family Hubs, with future priorities to include investment in staff capacity, professional development and enhanced tools to evidence impact.

The Committee agreed the Working Group’s recommendation that the Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee:

6. Establishes regular, informal dialogue between the Committee and Family Hub teams to maintain transparency and shared understanding. This to be undertaken annually by named rapporteurs and included on the Committee’s work programme. Agreed rapporteurs to maintain links to Family Hubs through independent visits and highlight any significant progress or red flags to the Committee as they arise, to assist Members in identifying where further scrutiny may be valuable.

Voting: Nem. Con.