Agenda and draft 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 12 May 2025.

AGREED the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th May 2025 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive evidence from Council Officers as part of the Scrutiny Review of Partnership Working in Early Help.

The Committee received a presentation from the Service Lead for Youth Justice and Youth Support and the Service Lead for Family Support on the Early Help Offer from the Council. The presentation covered:

• Front Door to Early Help
• Family Hubs
• Family Solutions Teams
• Therapeutic Team
• Family Group Conferencing
• Targeted Youth Support
• Youth Support
• Turnaround

The Key issues discussed included:

• The Children’s Hub (CHUB), acted as a “front door” to Early Help services, and was a joint service with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Hartlepool Council. Referrals were received via CHUB and could come from a variety of sources including schools and even parents themselves. The referral were triaged and would be passed on to either the Family Hubs or Family Solutions if they needed more support, partner agencies and in some cases advice and guidance was given.
• Family Hubs offered a wide range of support and focussed on prevention to reduce the need for statutory intervention. The programmes available to attend were reviewed six weekly and this enabled them to be assessed to see if they fitted the needs of the community. The Nurturing parent programme was the most popular programme while the Antenatal Nurturing programme was an addition to the antenatal programmes the midwifes led, however a midwife would attend the Family Hub session on the final week. Parent volunteers helped to deliver the Empowering Parents Empowering Communities (EPEC) programme, bringing their personal experiences to the programme. All Together For You, ‘one stop shop’, was held at the Family Hubs once a month, rotating between the four venues, which all the partners attended to give advice and information to families.
• The number of children being supported was discussed, and it was questioned whether there were particular times of the year when more referrals were received. Officers noted that there were slightly higher requests for support around school holiday times but the number of children being supported was not as many as were screened as it included people who were given simple advice and guidance.
• It was questioned what the average timescale for working with families was in the Family Hubs and the Committee were informed that it was dependent on the family need. It was the case that once a person had attended a programme, e.g. baby massage, they signed up for another programme. Similarly, they may had completed programmes when their child was younger and returned for different support, advice, and programmes when their child was older.
• It was noted that support was provided regarding drugs, alcohol and domestic abuse and Members raised concern that children would be at the risk of danger. Officers assured that risk assessments took place and any situations that were unsafe or risky would not be assigned to Early Help, other services would be involved.
• Targeted Youth Support worked with families to reduce children’s vulnerability to harm outside the home, for example exploitation and carrying knives. The team also educated both parents and children on online safety and effective communication.
• Youth Support undertook Missing  ...  view the full minutes text for item PEO/15/25

Consideration was given to the Work Programme. The next meeting would be held on Monday 7 July 2025 and will be the second evidence session for the Scrutiny Review of Partnership Working in Early Help. Education and Social Care would be giving evidence on the Early Help services they provided.

AGREED that the Work Programme be noted.