Decision details

To agree to the vision of transforming Early Help services in Surrey, understanding the policy implications involved.

To endorse the Local Family Partnership model and approach to this transformation.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the proposed Early Help Strategy and development of the place-based Local Family Partnership model across Surrey be agreed.

2.    To delegate to the Assistant Director, Commissioning and Prevention, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, decision making on any minor changes to the Early Help Strategy arising from discussions at the Early Help Transformation Board and Children and Young People’s Partnership.

3.    That the specific high-level Early Help commitments for Surrey County Council set out below, be endorsed:

·         Transform SCC services through integration with others at a local level;

·         Coordinate partners at county and local levels to implement the Early Help Strategy;

·         Identify children who need Early Help through the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub and provide case management and coordination (with others) for children and families with multiple needs;

·         Commission local, place-based preventative services with our partners; and

·         Maintain a robust joint-understanding with partners of the needs of children and families in Surrey and the impact of Early Help.

Reasons for Decisions

The proposed new Early Help Strategy and system model, with Local Family Partnerships at its heart, will put children first, ensuring they receive the integrated Early Help they need, as soon as it is required. In this model, as partner and Council services are increasingly having to focus on families with higher levels of need, an integrated offer will be developed with other community partners taking an increasing role in meeting the more common and less acute needs. The new strategy will enable us to respond to the challenges of reduced public funding and increased demand by more effectively aligning Council resources with those of partners. This will support the longer-term financial sustainability of the Council and partners, as well as improving outcomes for children.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Children and Education Select Committee]