Agenda item

[Emma Cleary,HeadStart Programme Manager, to present report]

Emma Cleary, HeadStart Programme Manager, introduced the report and welcomed HeadStart Ambassadors to the meeting.

The HeadStart Ambassadors commented on the positive impact on their lives of being involved in the programme and introduced a video which gave a summary of the main evaluation findings. The panel thanked the HeadStart Ambassadors for their presentation.

The HeadStart Programme Manager commented on the progress of the programme since the previous update report in July 2016. The HeadStart Programme Manager explained that the programme was aimed at developing and testing new ways of supporting children and young people with emotional mental health and wellbeing.

The HeadStart Programme Manager briefed the panel on the five strategic outcomes of the programme and the links to other national policies aimed at ensuring at improving the mental health and wellbeing of the children and young people. The HeadStart Programme Manager gave further details of the progress of funded commissioned programmes and projects in the target areas. The main findings of the evaluation have been summarised in Appendix 1 of the report.

The HeadStart Programme Manager commented on the positive findings in table 5.1. which showed much higher levels of participation by young people than expected and the success of engaging a high number of professionals who have also benefitted from the programme.

The HeadStart Programme Manager outlined the options being considered to sustain the work of programme when the funding ends. An implementation plan will be jointly developed with young people, parents and professionals to explore opportunities to sustain the programme after the funding from Big Lottery ends in July 2021. The plan will be drafted by September 2018.

The panel discussed the methodology for assessing the number of young people who reported experiencing an emotional problem, who have been assessed has having benefited from the work of the programme. The HeadStart Programme Manager explained that the outcomes framework document details the methodology used to measure the success of the programme initiatives in meeting its strategic aims. The HeadStart programme provides support at four different intervention levels in the target area.

The HeadStart Programme Manager explained that no formal assessment is done of a young person’s mental health condition. The HeadStart programme is aimed at young people needing low level support. If a person needs more specialist targeted support then they will be referred to the appropriate organisation who can provide this. The local and national evaluation will use a Local Evaluation Measure to assess changes over time in a person’s level of resilience. In addition, the HeadStart Partnership Board agreed to collect data against agreed indicators with information available from April 2018.

The panel queried the membership of the HeadStart Partnership Board and the reporting and monitoring arrangements for the programme. The HeadStart Programme Manager explained that findings are reported to Children’s Trust Board and Health and Wellbeing Board. The Scrutiny Officer agreed to send details of the membership to panel members for information.

The panel queried the impact of the reduced allocation funding as shown in para 7.2 of the report. The HeadStart Programme Manager explained that Big Lottery expect successful bidders to look at developing sustaining the programme beyond the funding period and secure funding to continue the delivery of successful projects. The HeadStart Programme Manager explained that this will present a challenge to HeadStart Partnership Board about how this can be done at a time of increased budget pressures.

The panel welcomed the progress made by the programme and agreed to receive a presentation on the sustainability plan presented to a future meeting of the panel.

Resolved:

1.    The HeadStart Programme Manager present the findings of the sustainability plan to a future meeting of the panel with details of the options being considered.

2.    The Scrutiny Officer to send panel members details of the membership of the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Children’s Trust Board.

3.    The panel congratulated the work of the HeadStart Wolverhampton in the positive progress made to meet the national five strategic outcomes and the impact locally on children and young people in target areas.