Agenda item

Report CEF21047

The report provided an update of the scoping and progress of the 0-25 Project.

The Council’s Transforming Bromley roadmap for 2019 to 2023 set out the Children’s Services and Education workstream but was cross cutting with Adults, Housing, Health and Commissioning.

This included the following statements:  Statement 5 - Review transition plans and service pathways and Statement 6 - Explore opportunities for developing an integrated 0 – 25 service offer for children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability).

An initial scoping report was completed in early 2021 for the transformation board which outlined initial findings some of which were summarised within this report which provided a summary of initial key findings and presented progress and next steps.

In opening the discussion, the Chairman thanked Officers for their work on the transition event which had recently been held.  The Committee noted that the intention was to hold such events twice a year.  The recent transition event had been a joint venture in partnership with the SEN and Adults Teams.  The intention was to further develop the local support available to young people.  It was hoped that more young people would help in running the next event and be  present at the next event as there was a desire to continue to promote the ambitions of young people.  The aim was to continue to develop the transition events around the four areas of the Preparing for Adulthood Pathway.

In response to a question from the Chairman, the Head of the 0-25 Project confirmed that success would be measured through supporting young people to achieve positive outcomes in terms of employment, fulfilling lives and the local support that was available.  The aim was to implement planning from an earlier age.

A Member highlighted that in order to support a child at times it was necessary to challenge the parental context being provided and work with parents to raise their own expectation of the achievements of their child.  Members recognised the importance of informing families of the offer that was available.

The Committee noted that the various strands of the project would report to the 0-25 Governance Board and the Board would receive regular feedback.  Co-design work would begin to be initiated following initial consultation with young people, families and professionals and this was happening through October/November 2021.  Officers wanted to ensure that local people and parents were involved in shaping the final offer.

The importance of developing a link with local businesses was recognised.

In drawing the discussion to a close, the Chairman suggested that future reports on the 0-25 Project be considered at a joint meeting of the Children, Education and Families PDS Committee and the Adult Care and Health PDS Committee.

RESOLVED: That

1. Progress on the 0-25 project be noted and the direction of the project endorsed; and
2. Future reports on the 0-25 Project be considered at a joint meeting of the Children, Education and Families PDS Committee and the Adult Care and Health PDS Committee.