Agenda item

CHILDREN FIRST

Minutes:

In addition to the report, the committee received a presentation on the Children First approach and viewed a short film on the experiences of children in the Glanymor and Tyisha wards in Carmarthenshire. The approach seeks to initiate change at a local level, based on the needs of the specific place, identified by listening to children and young people and to the local community. The Children First approach will contribute to mitigating the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences, exploring new and more effective ways of tackling poverty.

 

The following questions/observations were raised:

 

Members noted that the steering group did not include a representation from Dyfed Powys Police Force and other groups that were considered key to the approach, and also shared the same priorities as Children’s Zones. The report highlighted the issue of crime and the fear of crime. The Service Manager advised that the Children’s Zone was in its early stages and as it developed it was likely that membership of the steering group would expand to include Dyfed Powys Police Force.

 

It was noted that the Welsh Government had not attached any funding to the approach as this is considered a different way of working and not necessarily new work. A small amount of funding was made available in 2018/19 which funded 2 days per week of officer time.

 

Members asked for clarification on the commitment being sought in relation to Children First. The Director of Education and Children’s Services advised that the report was submitted in order to share information with members. In the longer term local members would play a key part in the approach. The Head of Children Services advised that Children First was a strategic approach to working and not a Children Services only led project. It is an approach that in order to be successful and have impact on specific communities, requires a long term strategic commitment from all Local Authority departments as well as the commitment of external organisations to working together.

 

It was noted that children who shared their experiences in the short film shared negative experiences of living in the area and members asked for further information on the services currently available in the area. The Service Manager advised that St Paul’s Family Centre, Morfa Integrated Children’s Centre and other support services were available in the area. Most of the Tyisha ward falls within the area covered by Flying Start. The Service Manager advised that the Children First approach will pull together the services already available and re-align provision with what local children want. It was noted that the approach was about looking at solutions within the community and work to overcome them, a ‘doing with, not doing to’ approach.

 

Members referred to the Wellness Village, which forms part of the Swansea Bay City Deal and asked whether funding would become available for training and development opportunities for local residents, and also to develop the local area. The Head of Curriculum and Wellbeing advised that discussions between the Regeneration Department and headteachers were in the early stages but there was a shared vision to equip local people with the required skills to take advantage of the opportunities available.

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Children First report be received.

 

 

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