Simone White, Director of Children’s Services, introduced a report on the Children, Young People and Education Committee’s recommendations, from its meeting on 15 June, 2021 in respect of prevention approach.

Prevention was a cross-cutting theme of significance in Children’s Services, Adult Social Care and Health, and Public Health. It was therefore essential that there was cross-Council agreement to prioritise preventative activity and to outline the expectations and delivery methodology for preventative approaches.

The report to the Children, Young People and Education Committee had provided an overview of the prevention approach recommended for adoption by the Council, including a Prevention Policy Statement and Prevention Framework. In addition, the report detailed the Breaking the Cycle programme, which sought to demonstrate how a collaboration of preventative activity could maximise opportunity and lead to better outcomes for people, services, and organisations.

The matter was being referred to the Policy and Resources as it was a cross-cutting policy that impacted on Adult Social Care and Public Health as well as Children, Young People and Education.

Simone White responded to a number of comments from Members and stated that with regard to support for children’s mental health and wellbeing, her department and partner organisations were working on the creation of a single point of contact for such services.

The Chair and Members commended the detailed report and policy documents and expressed thanks to Elizabeth Hartley, Assistant Director, Early Help and Prevention.

A suggestion was made to receive regular updates on the policy.

On a motion by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Yvonne Nolan, it was -

Resolved – That,

(1)  the Prevention Policy Statement and Prevention Framework, be approved;

(2)  the Breaking the Cycle programme approach, be approved.