Notes from the Voluntary Sector Forum meeting held on 17 March 2015 at UKSA, Cowes
Present: Shahida Nehorai (Home-Start IW vice chair), Michael Bulpitt(CAIW), Ruth Carter (PMIW),Martin Johnson (IWC)Sara Ellis (CAIW), Guy Eades (Healing Arts), Patricia Partridge(CAIW), Lorraine Shotter (Parent’s Voice)Paul Savill(CAIW), Simon Davies (UKSA), Kelly Reay (Scouts)Gretel Ingham (Scouts/Wessex Community Voices)John Phillips (John’s Club)
Apologies: Emma Corina (YMCA), Rachel McKernan(Barnardos) Scott Watkin (Seeability), Eddie Elsom(Older Voices) Cherie Gallin(SEAP), Carole Holmberg (IW Law Centre)Jane Leigh(TCS), Bob Stringer (Stroke Club), Jo Dare, Jessica Entwistle, Helen Lewis (Age UK IW) Robert Brooks,Chloe Wightman (Central Eltham Youth Project), Denise Evans (Street/School Pastors) Michael Lilley (MyTime/Richmond Fellowship), Richard Grogan (HIW Wildlife Trust), Anne Longford (DL), Steve Stubbings (IWC), Lynne Pitcher (MyAware), Jo Smith (Help and Care/Healthwatch)
1. Welcome and Apologies: SN welcomed the group, apologies were given and introductions made. It was noted that there was a low attendance and many latecomers, this could possibility be attributed to the venue.
2. Matters arising: There were none
3. Advice, Information and Guidance Partnership: Martin Johnson IW Council Commissioning Manager (presentation attached) A discussion followed, advice services primarily for adults, but reference to children as part of families. Consumer rights is an emerging need for advice services. Forthcoming changes to Housing Benefit, Universal Credit and the Care Act will create more demand. Whilst the Council is committed to digital channels, and empowering people to use them, there is acknowledgement that this excludes some groups. For example, Universal Credit will only be able to be claimed on-line.
Islehelp is open to new membership. The recently introduced referral system now has a number of organisations using it (CAB, The Law Centre, The Footprint Trust, Community Action Isle of Wight, Age UK Isle of Wight, People Matter Isle of Wight, Independent Living Centre, John Cheverton Centre at Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Carers IW, IWC Benefits Department). MJ was pleased to report that there were some successes already. IWC have to continue to reduce funding another £13m in next year. IWC are also a provider of advice, and they will have to manage this down, there are about 12 providers of advice within the council currently. The Strategic Wight Island Support Hub (SWISH) project, has developed a portal to help voluntary sector organisations sector cope with the impact of the introduction of the Universal Credit. However, there remains a need to understand more about total level of demand, and collect data on where needs are and where there are strengths in services, to provide a better experience for service users. IWC plan to have zero funding in 4 years, tapered. Islehelp will be a membership CIC where partners sign up to the strategy. In response to a question from GI, MJ advised that faith organisations could be included if they wished to influence the strategy, but it was important to stress that every member retains their own identity. MB stated that he felt that Islehelp had not achieved as much yet as he had anticipated it would, but emphasized that it is seen by other areas as very developed.. He recognised that due to reductions in funding it was imperative to do what we are doing, even though it is challenging. MJ said that some advice services are not reliant on government or local authority funding and it is important to have them on board. LS observed that she finds Islehelp very difficult to find on-line, for example, the link from MLAFL is hard to find, in addition, there is no sense of links from Iwight.com to information services. She also finds it hard to access services via this site. MJ acknowledged this point and said that the situation would change. MB raised the issue of the Community Services directory, where there was very slow progress in putting it together, there is a link from MLAFL, but not everyone knows what MLAFL is. MJ advised that the Community Services directory is currently owned by IWC IT, but there is an aim that eventually owners of information will be able to make their own changes. PS had tested this in the past week, and found that pathways were very unclear. MJ acknowledged a lack of capacity within IWC IT and that self-management is the way forward. PS stressed that there was a lot of cynicism within town and parish councils about the Community Directory and that an automated reminder to all owners should be sent every six months to ensure that records are updated. MB stated that Community Action would be ideal to manage the community services directory and asked MJ would this be an option? MJ advised that he would raise this issue and report back. SD asked whether there were gaps in information available in the hub, is there a void? Especially for issues facing young people? MB advised that FIZ has a remit to deliver this, however, if FIZ was de-commissioned, it could be part of Islehelp offer and costs transferred. SD thought that there should be consultation with the community about who was best placed to provide appropriate advice. MJ stressed that the Islehelp Partnership is about the strategy and to respond to the needs of those who use services. The Partnership agreement will be in place by the end of June, and the first business plan written, this will be on a rolling basis. There is potential for funding through Solent LEP in the future.
4. Mobile Information Service-PMIW Ruth Carter: RC advised that there have been a number of issues in setting up the mobile service, especially with regards to the ‘mobile’ aspect, with a number of vehicles and options not proving suitable. RC will now adopt an approach of visiting venues and taking internet access and other sources of advice and information with her. She is currently developing a programme of venues and outreach over the next ten months .The aim is to provide mobile advice and information to manage health conditions and remain living independently. MB asked if this would encompass purely rural locations, but would advised that it would be dependent on venues being available, with the aim of visiting venues when other services are present to deliver in a joined up way. This is similar to the RASP funded CAN project run by CAIW previously. RC stressed the importance of regular visits to build trust with residents. RC asked that anyone could contact her regarding venues etc to help build the outreach programme (see attachment)
More generally MB felt there was still a need to have a clearer picture of routes into advice systems and indeed health and care systems and who was doing what… AIG meeting on 20 March may help start to address this.
It was noted that there is still lots of confusion regarding Care Act and what needs to be in place, and apparently little progress made. LS stressed the need to link to the Local Offer website, as children are part of families. SD asked about the coordination of outreach? MB advised that several years ago RASP provided just that, but no longer funding for it, so it no longer happens. This is connected to joined up commissioning still not happening. LS asked whether the new early Help Centres would cater for the needs of young people up to the age of 25, again this is unclear. MB advised that Barnardos are due to present at the May meeting of the VSF so there will be opportunities to clarify this, however SN stressed that the Centres will not be fully operational until July.
5. Free LSCB training for the Voluntary Sector: SE outlined the course content (flyer and application attached and stressed that the offer went far above what would be offered by standard Child Protection Training. The programme has been designed in response to the needs expressed by the sector via the survey monkey questionnaire previously circulated, with times, dates and venues arranged in accordance with the wishes expressed by respondents to the survey. SN stressed the training is free. Other partners to the LSCB make a financial contribution, but this is not the case for the voluntary sector. She further said that as a sector, there is a need to be professional, with responsibility to keep children safe. Good engagement in the training would increase the credibility of the sector. SN further advised that all training programmes provided by the LSCB are free for the voluntary sector. As part of her work with the LSCB, they are currently developing an Assessment tool for neglect which was very user friendly. All thought it was important to stress the important networking opportunities afforded by this type of multi-sector training. SN further advised that there are a number of e-learning courses available on the LSCB website which are also free http://www.iowscb.org.uk/.
PS asked whether CAIW would take the opportunity of feedback to inform other training opportunities and was advised that SE would liaise with Philippa Daley at CAIW. Other issues such as risk of closure could be assisted on case by case basis.
6. Updates from reps:
Health and Wellbeing Board: a written report had been submitted by Emma Corina (see attachment) EC will provide a more detailed update and discussion at the next meeting
Healthy Communities Partnership: SE advised that whilst there had not been a meeting, she as due to meet with Anita Cameron Smith – Public Health to discuss the mandate for the group. HWB is being refreshed also.
Children’s Trust Board – SN reported that IWC Children’s Services now require improvement rather than being inadequate. The new Early Help Offer will be an integrated service for 0-19 years. It is not known what Children’s centres will be called in future to reflect their changed/expanded role. Home-start has been sub-contracted to deliver their services by Barnardos.
LSCB Training sub group: SN reported that this group has completed a training needs analysis. Other training is available through IW council workforce development, this is a subscription model. The LSCB training calendar will be quality assured by LSCB quality sub group
Community Safety Partnership: MB reported that the meeting was cancelled. The lead police officer on Island is due to change again.
Mental Health – MB reported on the first meeting of IW Recovery Partnership. There were approximately 20 in attendance, with various issues across the board. The IW Recovery Partnership is led by the Richmond Fellowship with 4 or 6 other partners. LS asked if a map of mental health services could be produced and was told that this was underway. The Real World Trust have secured funding from Public Health England to refurbish their centre in Sandown, this service is predominately focussed on alcohol and drugs.
7. Updates from members:
Wessex Community Voices: GI reported that they were nearing the close of the pilot phase. The draft of commissioners toolkit was very well received especially NHS England commissioners. There is ongoing community engagement on gestational and pre-gestational diabetes in maternity. The work envisaged to take place on eating disorders has not taken off. GI introduced Kelly Reay, lead development officer for Scouts IW. In addition to the Youth Offer funding, Scouts had given £75k to run development for 2 years, the first paid Scouting post on the Island. There are in excess of 200 adult volunteers on the Island, and many in the 14-25 year age range. It is anticipated that the development work will lead to more joined up work particularly in deprived areas.
Community Action Awards: PP advised that the closing date was at the end of March and encouraged entries, there are many categories to enter. She asked all present to encourage entries to recognise the volunteering talent on the Island. MB advised that some winners have gone onto win Queens Awards http://www.communityactionisleofwight.org.uk/community-action-awards-2015/
Parents Voice: LS advised that work on the Local Offer is coming to an end, there is now a need to market the Local offer effectively. Parents Voice are now considering the impact of the Care Act. They have run several multi-agency Person Centred Planning training sessions, she as pleased to report that there were positive relationships developing with the local authority officers and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCO)
Voluntary Sector Locality Link Officer for My Life A Full Life: PS described how he is identifying lots of good work locally and is considering how to market this effectively. He is trying to get groups to join the MLAFL pledge and these are starting to trickle through. He is also encouraging better use of the Community Directory. Whilst there are a number of barrier, these are being worked through. PS is also influencing how the operational hubs will work, the locality approach could develop different approaches in different areas.
Healing Arts: GE mentioned the Roy Lilley Lecture and noted that the Island is forging ahead in Health and Wellbeing. He further notified the group about the NHS Vanguard funding, but there is little detail on this currently. It was agreed to try and get a speaker about the Vanguard funding at a future meeting. Action SE
Community Watch: RC had recently attended this meeting and reported that it was very helpful they are organised by Dr Michelle Legg