Edinburgh Network of Voluntary Organisations
for Children, Young People and Families
NETWORK
Minutes
Date: 12th January 2012
Time: 1:00 – 3.30pm
Place: EVOC, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH6 5PX
Present: Joan Fraser (Chair), Viki Phillipps, Sharon Guest, Paula Swanston, Mary Alexander, David Wilson, Jan Williamson, Sandy Corlett, Alison Reid (Business meeting only)
In Attendance: Alice MacAlister (Network Discussion only), Ella Simpson (Business Meeting only), Tim Randall (minutes), Dianne Morrison (Business Meeting only), Milind Kolhatkar (Network Discussion only),
1.0 Apologies: Debbie Noble, Theresa Allison, Sam Anderson, Kate Polson, Alana Taylor.
The Business meeting was preceded by a Network Discussion on Welfare Reform and the effects on vulnerable families, with a presentation from Alice MacAlister of One Parent Families Scotland.
2.0 Minutes of Network 03.11.11
2.1 Acceptance as an Accurate Record
The minutes were accepted as an accurate record.
2.2 Matters Arising
Ella clarified EVOC is looking for an ASPC Rep for adult services – this may be an EVOC staff member.
3.0 Network Development
3.1 Child Protection and the voluntary sector
Joan explained that this item would be postponed until February, to allow input from key people.
3.2 Rep for Adult Support and Protection Committee – youth transitions
Jan Williamson has taken this on (see item 4.7)
3.3 Children’s Partnership Rep Vacancy
Joan reported that two people have expressed an interest in the role, and that she and Ella will meet them before the next Network meeting.
4.0 Partnership Working
4.1 Feedback from the Children’s Partnership on 7 December 2011
See written feedback from Theresa, available in the Network’s online meeting papers archive – additional notes below:
David highlighted that the voluntary sector’s value was recognised by Gillian Tee.
4.2 Feedback from the Chief Officers Group
Joan gave a verbal review of the previous day’s meeting. Written feedback will be made available in the Network’s online meeting papers archive.
ACTION: Joan.
There had been a discussion about Prepare – anti-natal and post natal support programme for women with substance misuse and the Family Nurse Partnership pilot
which focuses on young mothers pre and postnatally. Further cost comparison information is to be provided.....
Total Craigroyston project has just recruited someone to lead this piece of work
Youth Offending examples of 3 young people and an examination of multi-agency contact and see if any lessons can be learned. Interventions seem to be short-term, and then problems recurr.
Corporate Parenting – Gillian Tee keen to reduce numbers of looked after children SOA a single outcome for children and young people along the lines of: “children enjoy their childhood and fulfill their potential”.
Early Years Change Fund – will be £3 million of Council funding for 3 years top sliced from budget. Edinburgh will have a share of £50 million from central government, that will be shared out across Local Authorities. Hope to have NHS Lothian contribution too.
.
4.3 SDG / CSMG Disabilities
In the absence of Reps to update, Joan explained there was some uncertainty as to whether there would be one or two CSMGs covering this area. There have been mixed messages about the number of places for Network Reps, but this should remain at two. Clarification will be sought from CEC.
4.4 Total Craigroyston
See feedback from the Chief Officers Group above
4.5 Youth Issues Forum
Nothing to report
4.6 Child Protection Committee
Sharon Guest had been, deputising for Debbie Noble, and gave verbal feedback. Written Report to follow.
ACTION: Sharon
Much of the discussion had centred on out of hours support. There was also some discussion on the Carloway Report – agreed to put a link to the executive summary in the Weekly News.
ACTION: Di
Sharon reported on the meeting of the Training sub-group. There is funding left which will be used to improve the Child protection website and do additional training on sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Sharon and Mary Alexander will meet to discuss training needs. Sharon will o write something for the Weekly News to identify future training needs
ACTION: Sharon
4.7 Adult Support and Protection Committee
See written feedback from Jan – available online in the meeting papers archive
Information on training info has been sent out in the Weekly News. Jan advised that she started her staff off at the level two training, and that she had been on the level three training.
4.8 Best Start
David tabled feedback – also available online in the meeting papers archive
Ella explained that collection of data related to CSMG areas will start soon. The delay was due to waiting to tie this in with a project to collect information about all voluntary sector organisations in Edinburgh, in an effort to be co-ordinated and avoid asking people for the same information more than once.
4.9 EADP CYP
See written feedback from Sam- also available online in the meeting papers archive
Agreed Di would follow up with Sam re the action point on mapping to check if it is possible to disseminate the request from Michelle, but only if this is consistent with Ella’s guidance on collecting voluntary sector data (see 4.8 above).
ACTION: Di
5.0 Voluntary Sector News
5.1 Making It Work
Joan gave an overview of progress and encouraged interested organisations to attend the initial meeting on 19 January.
6.0 Future Network Meetings
Joan reminded network members that it had been agreed to mainstream Getting it Right into Network meetings following the final SARG meeting on Dec 12th. The time from 1 – 2pm on February 9th would focus on Getting It Right.
Any suggestions for future meetings were welcome, and Network members were encouraged to bring suggestions to future meetings.
7.0 Any Other Business
Joan explained that Tim was leaving EVOC the next day to take up a new post, and that Dianne Morrison and Ian Brooke would be taking on the support of the Network. Network members were sorry to see Tim leave and they wished him well in his new post
Joan also clarified that she has agreed to continue as Network chair until at least the end of March.
David and Sandy highlighted a useful document entitled “\Growing Support – A Review of Services for Vulnerable Families with Young Children”. It was agreed to put a link to this in the Weekly News.
ACTION: Di
8.0 Date of Next Meeting
1:00 – 3.30pm, Thursday 9th February 2012, EVOC
Subsequent Network Meetings:
March 8th, 2012, EVOC
April 5th, 2012, EVOC
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