Item 13c - CPWD Nurtured DIG Update
West Dunbartonshire Council · 28 September 2022
Back to Community Planning West Dunbartonshire Management Board — 28 September 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
Report by the Chief Education Officer Management Group: 28 September 2022 __________________________________________________________________ Subject: Nurtured Delivery and Improvement Group (DIG) 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this report is to: • Update members on the work of the Nurtured Delivery and Improvement Group (DIG). 2. Recommendations 2.1 Community Planning West Dunbartonshire is asked to: • Note progress and focus of work. 3. Background 3.1 Through multi-agency planning, the Nurtured DIG aims to ensure: • All West Dunbartonshire children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed and; • Families are supported in accessing education, learning and attainment opportunities and; • Improved life chances for all children, young people and families. 3.2 The Nurtured DIG aims reflect the ambitions of the Council’s Integrated Children’s Services Plan 3.3 Since March 2020 all Nurtured DIG engagement has been remote. This has proven effective and ensured the range of stakeholders has been able to attend. 3.4 Our Plan embeds the principles of Getting It Right for Every Child and ensures the United Nations Convention of Children's Rights is central to the development of our supports, services and engagement with all stakeholders. 3.5 Recent Scottish Government feedback on the ICSP notes: Areas of strength of the Plan • Clear priorities, outcomes, and actions (linked to detailed plans) ITEM 13c
Page 2
• Measurable indicators closely aligned to SHANARRI with clear progress reporting measures • Intention to involve children and young people directly in planning and budgeting process • Current budget and some projections included (projections may have been unavailable at publication). Areas where more support and development is needed • Stronger links to National Performance Framework • Additional information on strategic needs assessment • Greater clarity on how engagement with young people informed the chosen priorities and aims • Inclusion of baseline information for selected indicators. Reflecting on this and findings of the recent Care Inspectorate Inspection of children at risk of harm, the ICSP and subsequent N.DIG Plan for 2022-23 is being reviewed and revised. 4. Main Issues 4.1 At time of writing, the Nurtured DIG Plan for session ’22-’23 is currently being reviewed. It will reflect next steps in progressing our ICSP and recent developments nationally and locally. It is anticipated outcomes identified will address five main work streams: supporting mental health and wellbeing, the Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC) refresh, the implementation of The Promise ’21-24, Whole Family Wellbeing and Child Poverty Report. Members of the N.DIG will lead these work stream groups consisting of a range of partnership staff. 4.2 Council have been allocated funding to review, revise and improve approaches to supporting families, focussing on early help and intervention and aligning with key messages of The Promise. Guidance and support will be provided by Scottish Government in developing systems changes to approaches to Children’s Services Planning. A framework for self-evaluation supports this and has been adopted. It will be used to develop our on-going self-evaluation and quality assurance processes. A set of prioritised topics of wellbeing outcomes has been shared and will be reflected in our annual measuring and reporting: https://www.gov.scot/publications/improving-outcomes-children-young-people- families-review-childrens-services-plans-2020-2023-strategic-engagement- activity/documents/ 4.3 The Nurtured DIG plays a significant role in contributing to the required action plan and monitoring emanating from the Joint Inspection of children at risk of harm. Progress is being made through the devised Action Plan and involves input and support from a range of N.DIG members. A series of Improvement Planning Sessions with the Care Inspectorate were undertaken and staff representative of the range of N.DIG partners will use knowledge gained and
Page 3
expectations shared to implement collective improvements to systems and processes. 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no people implications as a result of this report. However, it is essential that partners re-align resource allocation and priorities to meet the needs of children, young people and families at this time. 6. Financial Implications 6.1 There are no direct financial implications for Community Planning West Dunbartonshire resulting from this report. All activities related to the implementation of these interventions are contained within service Budgets. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 If the Council is unable to ensure positive outcomes for children, we will not be meeting their needs (Children and Young People Act 2014) (Equalities Act 2010). 7.2 If the Council is unable to meet the needs of children, young people and families this could result in reputational damage. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 The revised supports and guidance enhance the quality of the service provided to all children, young people and families, therefore it can be seen to have a positive impact in terms of the equalities 9. Consultation 9.1 Legal Services and the Section 95 Officer have been consulted in relation to the content of this report. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 This report reflects the Council’s aspiration to reduce inequalities for the people of West Dunbartonshire. Person to Contact: Claire Cusick Senior Education Officer Background Papers: CPD Nurtured DIG Report February 2022 Wards Affected: All