Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted the evacuation and housekeeping procedure.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 7^th July 2025

AGREED the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th July 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive evidence from Family Action, PITSTOP, and Harrogate and District Foundation Trust as part of the Scrutiny Review of Partnership Working in Early Help

The Committee received a presentation from Family Action and the key issues highlighted and discussed included:

• Family Action had a strategic partnership with the Council since 2023, after previously being part of a sub-contract arrangement with Harrogate & District Foundation Trust. It was a charity of over 150 years which had a mission to support people through change, challenge, or crisis and speak up for the importance of family in national and local policymaking.
• As a strategic partner, Family Action aimed to coordinate the offer of Early Help and make sure there wasn’t duplication. Due to being a charity, they had access to funding that the Council could not always apply for. The partnership also allowed a flexibility in delivery offer to respond to needs and demands. The length of the partnership, a 5-year contract with a 5-year extension period, meant that they were able to deliver change. 
• The information gathered on a family was kept with them when they moved from different services due to the partnership arrangement and they were able to “step” families up or down into social care. They received information regarding families they are working with from different services including schools and nurseries. 
• The services provided by Family Action included family outreach such as empowering families by attending meetings with them and sitting with them while making telephone calls rather than doing this for them, funding isolated one-off events such as school trips through their Poverty Forum, delivering programmes in the family hubs, and carrying out budgeting events for Barclays. Targeted work was carried out in areas where there was higher demand.
• Family Actions Holidays Are Fun activities not only centred on the child but were also open for the family to attend and get involved. They also gave opportunities to children and young people to be part of community events such as the Community Carnival at Stockton International Riverside Festival and displays at Preston Park Museum and Grounds.
• Family Action supported the whole family and due to their connections with the Family Hubs and wider community, seek out other support opportunities for the families they work with.
• A case study was highlighted regarding a parent who received support after gaining full time custody of his child while homeless. The service had assisted in registering for housing, introduced him to the Family Hubs, helped him to learn about the day-to-day needs of looking after a child, referred him to the foodbank, and even helped him to get a fridge for his new home. The service even assisted when he was living out of the area for a short period.
• Members questioned how long Family Action would support a family and informed that it varied upon the family’s needs but up to six months maximum. Most families were supported for a shorter period, but they would not withdraw services until the family felt comfortable.
• It was further questioned what the barriers were for the Council’s partners in Early Help and informed that having shared systems since becoming  ...  view the full minutes text for item PEO/25/25

Members were reminded of the Children and Young People workshop taking place on 29 September where partners had been invited to co-produce the Early Help Strategy. The Chair would be attending to observe and feedback to the Committee, </AI5>

It was noted that Stockton Parent Carer’s Forum had been invited to the October meeting but were unable to attend. Members therefore requested written evidence to be submitted. A presentation on the Family First Partnership Reforms would be added to the agenda for the October meeting.

It was agreed that the Progress update for the Scrutiny Review of Cost of Living be moved to November meeting.

AGREED that the Work Programme be updated.