Integrated Children's Services Report 2017-2020 and Plan 2021-2023
Improve the lives of children and young people (0-18yrs) by equipping parents through a comprehensive suite of parenting interventions
Our Local Improvement priorities are:
To improve the co-ordination, integration, delivery and evaluation of parenting programmes
What we will do:
Refresh of 'Handling Teenage Behaviour' training
Review referral processes for Parenting opportunities
Support preparation and sustainability for parents attending parenting programmes - Roll out Psychology of Parenting Programmes (PoPP) approach
Continue focus on universal and targeted programmes of parenting including Mellow Babies and Incredible Years
What are the plans and structures that support us to succeed?
Community Planning Parenting Strategy
Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework Update
Pregnancy and Parenthood in Young People Strategy
west-dunbartonshire-parenting-strategy-2011.pdfAcross West Dunbartonshire, local services have a strong track-record for supporting positive parenting; and in developing interventions in a collaborative manner. In building upon the good work undertaken to-date, this Strategy has been developed to ensure our continuing efforts reflect local needs alongside national guidance in a manner that is explicitly integrated, evidence-based and sustainable. In this way we will ensure that we continue to deliver on our commitment improve the lives of children and young people across all the communities of the West Dunbartonshire area.
West Dunbartonshire Council supports parents health and wellbeing and develops their parenting capacity through delivery of a range of parenting programmes and support such as:
Handling Teenage Behaviour Training;
Continuation and roll out of Psychology of Parenting Approach;
Connecting with Parents training for parenting workforce;
Production of a Parents Voice film to promote parents voice work;
Continued focus on universal and targeted programmes of parenting including Mellow Babies and Incredible Years;
Health workers continuing to deliver individual Triple P sessions to families who were not ready to join a parenting group;
Outreach workers and YFSW support for 1209 families with 1-1 support and advise over the period 2019 -20;
Implementation of actions from the national Pregnancy and Parenthood in Young People 2016-2026 Strategy (PPYP);
Implementing the Quit Your Way Pregnancy Service Financial Incentive trial programme for smoking cessation in pregnancy.
Alterations to the referral processes for Parenting Opportunities to provide more targeted information.
We have introduced the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP)which is a preventive licensed voluntary programme for first time mothers aged 19 years and under. It offers intensive and structured home visiting, delivered by specially trained nurses (Family Nurses), from early pregnancy until the child is two years old. It is an intensive, structured intervention for young first time mothers and their children to maximise their potential. The programme aims to modify behavioural risk factors and enhance protective factors through regular home visits, using motivational interviewing techniques and strengths based approach.
Development of the POPP programme has supported staff in preparing and sustaining parents attending parenting programmes.
All Popp practitioners have been supported through regular coaching and mentoring sessions to reflect on how to support and maintain attendance at parenting groups.
Connecting with Parents training has been provided for the parenting workforce which helps upskill staff in how to reach our most vulnerable families.
Our Parents Voice film was completed and disseminated to help support the recruitment to parenting groups. Our PoPP practitioners are in the process of delivering support to parents in group format using digital platforms. The strongest evidence base for parenting support is based on social learning theory – parents gain most from learning from each other and realising they are not alone, hence the importance of bringing families together wherever possible to support each other.
We have continued our focus on universal and targeted programmes of parenting including mellow babies and incredible years.
Supporting the roll out of the Incredible years parenting programme continues to be the focus of the parenting workforce.
Over 2019 -2020 groups were established but discontinued due to the pandemic
However the parenting workforce kept in touch to support vulnerable families who had started a group by establishing whatsapp groups to support and share advice and support during the pandemic
Coaching and mentoring some families through the online Solihull parenting approach was piloted during lock down .
Health workers continued to deliver individual Triple P sessions to 28 families who were not ready to join a parenting group.
Outreach workers and YFSW supported 1209 families with 1-1 support and advise over the period 2019 -20.
Feedback data from parents has indicated positive impact on parents and children for the parenting approaches each family has accessed
Refresh Handling Teenage Behaviour Training
Staff have been offered refresh training. Groups have continued to run every session.
Refresh of Autism Strategy is underway
The roll out of services to children and families affected by Autism has continued to develop over the course of the session with demand for assessment and diagnosis increasing
Between Jan 17 and end March 20 – SCS accepted 614 referrals for an ASD assessment . This is demonstrative of a continual upward trend.
For the under 5s – on average 68% received a positive diagnosis and for the over 5s 73% received a positive diagnosis.
SLT continue to collaborate with colleagues in Education to provide advice, support and training to schools and also offer Social Communication Parenting groups.
The review of the strategy has been delayed because of change in personnel with the interface with adult service still being the core area requiring review.
Education and Speech and language staff have collaborated in rolling out training and assessment of the SCERTs framework for supporting children with ASD at home and in school this will be a major piece of work going forward.
Going forward , additional workforce capacity and skill mix is required to cope with the increasing demand in referrals and developments in Multi agency post diagnostic support are required across the Local Authority area.
Sexual Health and Blood Bourne Virus Framework 2015-2020.pdfWe contiinue to implement the Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Framework which set out five high-level Outcomes that were relevant across the topic areas. These have guided our activity over the last four years and although progress has been made the Outcomes remain relevant. The Outcomes are re-stated here, with a brief summary on progress over the last four years and an outline of on-going issues and priorities. More detail is provided within the the attached document.
Outcome 1: Fewer newly acquired blood borne virus and sexually transmitted infections; fewer unintended pregnancies.
Outcome 2: A reduction in the health inequalities gap in sexual health and blood borne viruses.
Outcome 3: People affected by blood borne viruses lead longer, healthier lives, with a good quality of life.
Outcome 4: Sexual relationships are free from coercion and harm.
Outcome 5: A society where the attitudes of individuals, the public, professionals and the media in Scotland towards sexual health and blood borne viruses are positive, non-stigmatising and supportive.
