To receive an update.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the order of agenda items was changed, so that Family Hub Implementation – One Year On was considered third.

Kevin McDaniel, Executive Director of Children's Services, introduced the item. He reminded the panel that during 2020 there was an extensive discussion as well as decisions around transforming how to provide health services for young people. The decision was made to move to a family hub model which added some flexibility, such as developing multi-skilled teams to respond to emerging needs. Kevin McDaniel added that Danny Gomm, Family Hub Manager, and his team had been organising these teams from 2020 to early-2021.

Danny Gomm gave a presentation, updating the panel on the status of the Family Hub services and future objectives. The Family Hub Service was launched on 1 May 2021 which brought Children's Centres, the Youth Service, the Family Resilience Service and Parenting Support under one umbrella. The Family Hub supported children, young people and families on statutory plans including children in care and care leavers.

The Hub was split into three – the Maidenhead Area, the Windsor Area and Boroughwide (which worked anywhere in the Borough) – and offered a wide range of interventions and support. Over the past year (2021-22), 903 children were supported on a 1-1 basis.

Councillor Sharpe asked if there was a breakdown of the areas where the children who were using service came from. While the area breakdown was not added to the presentation, Danny Gomm responded he would provide one after the meeting. He added that families came from all over the Borough.

Most interventions took place within the home or the school of the family or young person, and rarely for the family or young person to travel to a Family Hub building.

Danny Gomm showcased positive feedback from the families who benefited from Family Hub Support, highlighting the appreciation of support from the families who used the service.

7 different parenting groups were offered by the service based on needs, with 2 additional groups being recently created. These included ‘Freedom’, ‘Incredible Years’ and ‘EFA/Space’. New groups would be created based on the needs of parents.

The Family Hub Service continued to provide workshops for young people in schools, with approximately 2860 attendances after the easing of COVID lockdowns in November 2021. Professionals’ workshops were also provided by Family Hub. Internal apprenticeships and job vacancies were also provided by the Family Hub.

Young people were given opportunities to be involved in local decision making and peer mentoring, including the Youth Council, Girls Forum (empowering girls/young women in RBWM), Kickback (Children In Care Council) and Care Leavers Forum.

During 2021/22 there were two large consultations organised with young people, one was in partnership with Thames Valley Police, and another one which sought to gain young people's views and concerns around youth violence. The Family Hub also the Young Health Champions which sought to upskill young people to provide peer support through an understanding healthy and unhealthy behaviours.

The challenges included a very high demand for support from Family Hub which caused in some children, young people and families having to wait for support.

Danny Gomm concluded with a list of priorities for 2022/23 for the Family Hub.

The Chairman made a couple of comments. Firstly, she stated that the Panel was still waiting to have an update from care leavers. Secondly, she asked what the average length of time people had to wait to receive support. Danny Gomm replied that those at high risk, such as substance misuse and exploitation, would be allocated support within a month or instantly. Across the service, the average waiting time was 2-3 months. Care workers continued to remain in contact with the families and young people in need of support.

Kevin McDaniel pointed out that the early health service was an additional service and were not statutory. He added that many local councils no longer funded the services and resources were being stretched. Due to these challenges, there was consideration for a longer-term contract rather than agency staff. The level of demand for the services were being monitored.

Councillor Da Costa asked about SPACE (Supporting Parents And Carers Emotions), stating that she had received feedback from residents stating there was a lack of space in SPACE. Danny Gomm confirmed there was a lack of space. However, SPACE was running evening and daytime groups to meet demands.

Councillor Da Costa then asked if there was an update on universal offers from the central government. Danny Gomm said he was not aware. But there was discussion on universal offer which not necessarily provided by the Family Hub but through working with other services and voluntary groups. For example, the Family Hub may help establish a youth club.

Councillor Da Costa then asked whether the FUEL programme could be extended to people with low-income as well as free school meals. Danny Gomm confirmed this. He also added that the FUEL programme had been extended for 3 years from 2022, allowing the Family Hub to recruit a programme coordinator.

Councillor Da Costa then asked if a support group for parents with children with autism were being considered. Danny Gomm replied that the Family Hub had not as there were many support groups already.

Councillor Da Costa then asked if the workshops were open to the voluntary sector and if there was a cost involved in attending. Danny Gomm replied that other people could by accessing the training on the AfC website. If a cohort of community groups wished to go through training, a virtual or in-person training session could be established.

Councillor Da Costa asked why there was not a boys’ forum while there was a girls’ forum. Danny Gomm replied that the girls’ forum was established many years ago because earlier youth groups were boy dominated. Over time, groups became more gender balanced and girls participating in youth council and Kickback events, and therefore the girls’ forum became more of an empowering group rather than a policy group.

Councillor Da Costa asked about parental conflict. Danny Gomm replied that many staff were trained in parental conflict. He added that if there was more funding, more staff could be trained, and more resources could be utilised.

The Chairman asked how parental conflict was made aware of. Danny Gomm said that they would be reported to the referrals, in which many referrals came from schools. Care workers would regularly meet and monitor the wellbeing of the child. Kevin McDaniel added that there was an increase in referrals to the Family Hub by the judicial system.

Councillor Sharpe asked if the Family Hub was a programme handled by RBWM or a central government-mandated programme, pointing out that many family hubs had been established. Kevin McDaniel replied that the Family Hub was the model service and that there were also many other government-led programmes.

Councillor Sharpe then asked where the 6 youth centres were located. Danny Gomm replied that they formerly youth centres but were now family hubs. They were located mostly in Windsor and Maidenhead, with the two main hubs located in the former.

Councillor Tisi asked if health visiting services were only delivered from the main hubs in Windsor and Maidenhead. Danny Gomm replied that Larchfield and Poppies Family Hubs (but sometimes the Manor Family Hub) also provided health visiting services.

Councillor Tisi then asked if Family Hub were taking into consideration of ‘Covid babies’ who missed out on socialising with other children due to the Covid lockdowns. Danny Gomm replied that Family Hub had not, but he said he would investigate and check. Kevin McDaniel added that the education psychology team had been working with the early years team to handle the education and psychology of ‘Covid babies’.

Councillor Bateson asked about the welfare of children amid a family break-up. Danny Gomm replied that Family Hub would try to work with both parents when formulating a plan for the child. If both parents could not be in the same room, they would be met separately. In terms of school exclusions, the Family Hub would provide behavioural support as well as advocate for that child.