Introduction

How we have coordinated our work

Community Planning West Dunbartonshire comprises all statutory community planning partners, other key public sector partners, and voluntary, business and independent sectors.

We have well established multi-agency partnerships which underpin our approach to the planning and delivery of children’s services. Over the last three years we have streamlined structures to ensure a sharper focus on work planned. Our strategic assessments have informed the setting of strategic priorities for the partnership and an evidence base on which our five priority local outcomes are set. The Nurtured Delivery and Improvement Group (replacing the previous Children’s and families group) has been the main catalyst for delivery of Integrated Children's Services developments.

There is a shared commitment to Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC); to the delivery of corporate parenting responsibilities; supporting the needs of young carers, and to improve outcomes for looked after children and young people. We have embedded the principles of GIRFEC into all aspects of children's services across community and specialist health, social work and care services: working to ensure that all children are safe, healthy, achieving, nurtured, active, respected, responsible and included.

How we engage and consult

Whilst the structures and process noted above provide an opportunity to engage and consult, public consultation follows our Community Engagement Framework. This helps us to ensure that work reaches individuals and groups and people from a range of backgrounds and experiences across age, ethnicity, disability and geographical location for example.

How we measure progress

There is clear reporting and accountability of the ICS Plan through the Nurtured DIG and the Community Planning Partnership Management Board; linking closely to the Public Protection Chief Officers' Group, Child Protection Committee; Health and Social Care Partnership Integrated Joint Board and the Council’s Education Services Committee.

The actions of the Nurtured DIG are agreed jointly and captured and reviewed via a dedicated scorecard on the Council's performance Management System. Reports are generated automatically every month, and are reviewed every three months at DIG meetings. All DIGs are required to update regularly on progress to the Community Planning Management Board.

The drive for continuous improvement informs the development of all strategies and plans across children’s services. The structures and process in place support critical and constructive challenge and enhance transparency.

We have used our integrated Equality and Human Rights impact assessment to help us to plan policy and provision that supports the aims of both the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 2010, enhancing our decision making both in terms of fairness and our efficient allocation of resources.

Key Drivers for change and improvement

There are many legislative frameworks which underpin the delivery of services for children, young people and their families. They are too numerous to mention but key pieces which have demanded services are; Social Care(Self Directed Support)(Scotland) Act 2013, the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 and the Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011. Within the Council's Educational Services the national policy drivers including the expansion of ELC, the Scottish Attainment Challenge Excellence and Equity Agenda, Developing the Young Workforce and the strategic priorities of the National Improvement Framework (NIF) have informed direction of travel.

As well as the drivers that were in place in 2017, both legislative and indicated by need, such as deprivation and health, we have ensured that work on children’s services has taken account of emerging agendas and evidence; most notably the impact of COVID 19 on communities and services which support them.

We aligned our approach after the adoption on our Local Outcome Improvement Plan for 2017-2027 which itself took account of important drivers for children and families. Our broad approach emphasises prevention and early intervention.

Our Child Poverty Action report 'Improved Life Chances for all Children, Young People and Families’, was created in close consultation with Nurtured DIG, and was a key part of the development day that informed its 2019-2022 actions.

Our August 2018 ICS needs assessment noted that national and local focus on investment in children and young people is welcome, but reforms in education, health visiting, early learning and childcare have financial implications, as do increased duties and expectations of public service. This results in further work for services to understand the changes, manage and implement them.

The changing demographic of West Dunbartonshire has led to increased demand for specific services amongst a number of population groups including: children and young people who require to be looked after, pupils with identified additional support needs, children diagnosed as having autism spectrum disorder and those requiring support for mental health issues.