Community Policy and Review Panel - Thursday, 6th April, 2017 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 2nd February, 2017 (copy attached).

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 2nd February, 2017 were approved and signed by the Chairman.

Colin Alborough, Environmental Health Manager and Nick Parkin, Senior Commissioning Manager for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities for the North East Hampshire and Farnham Clinical Commissioning Group, to report on the current position of mental health in Rushmoor and advise the Panel on key initiatives taking place.

The Panel welcomed Colin Alborough, Environmental Health Manager and Chairman of the Rushmoor Health and Wellbeing Partnership, who gave Members an introductory presentation on Mental Health in Rushmoor.  It was noted that Mental Health was one of the three Key Priorities of the Rushmoor Health and Wellbeing Partnership, along with Obesity and Falls.

In comparison with national and regional averages, the Panel was advised that Rushmoor had high incidences of psychiatric disorder conditions and hospital stays for self-harm.  Mental Health had previously been identified as a borough-wide issue and had been included in the recently published Rushmoor Strategic Partnership (RSP) Deprivation Strategy for Rushmoor.  Funding had been provided by Hampshire County Council to pull together into one cohesive place the wide range of mental health information and services through the Connect to Support web page.  This had been very effective in raising awareness of local mental health services specifically the Wellbeing Centre in Aldershot and the Safe Haven Café. 

Nick Parkin, Senior Commissioning Manager for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, North East Hampshire and Farnham Clinical Commissioning Group, continued the presentation with an overview of the local mental health services commissioned by the North East Hampshire and Farnham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).  The Panel was advised that the services offered had received national acclaim for their trailblazing work, and had successfully procured extra funding from central government.  Collaborative working with other local CCGs in Surrey had added to the effectiveness of the services being offered locally.

The Panel offered its congratulations for a comprehensive and informative presentation on such a complex area.  There was an engaged discussion on various aspects of mental health, with specific references to locally available services and the focus on early identification and intervention.  An invitation was extended to Members of the Panel to visit the Safe Haven Café to give them a first-hand appreciation of this aspect of the RSP project.

The Panel NOTED the presentation.

Colin Alborough, Environmental Health Manager, to provide an overview of the Connect to Support Hampshire (C2S) portal https://connectsupport.hants.gov.uk/ which provides information and advice on services available in Hampshire and helps to signpost residents to relevant support organisations.

The Panel welcomed Colin Alborough, Environmental Health Manager and Chairman of the Rushmoor Health and Wellbeing Partnership, who gave Members a presentation on Connect to Support Hampshire (C2S), a Directory of Services for care and support in Hampshire, funded by Hampshire County Council.  The Directory was a one-stop online information and advice guide of local services for adults looking for information, community support and care options.  It was targeted at Hampshire residents and Health professionals, with input from a wide range of health partners. 

The Panel was advised that this tool was in the process of being embedded through an ongoing District trial covering:

·                     Engagement of partners

·                     Training, including with specific touchscreen tablet

·                     Trials with selected GP and hospitals

In respect of the training being provided, this was available to Members of the Panel who could also test the tool content and, in due course, could use the Directory as a means of engaging and helping residents.  Further information would be emailed to Members.

The Panel NOTED the presentation.

Tony McGovern, Coordinator for the Rushmoor & Hart Supporting Troubled Families programme, to report on the current position of the national initiative with regard to Rushmoor and advise the Panel on key findings and developments.

The Panel welcomed Tony McGovern, Coordinator for the Rushmoor & Hart Supporting Troubled Families (STF) programme, who gave Members a presentation on the current position of the national STF initiative with regard to Rushmoor, and advised the Panel on key findings and developments.  The presentation covered:

·                     Background to the Programme

·                     Hampshire Phase 1 Evaluation of the Programme by Portsmouth    University

·                     Six Headline Criteria for identifying families in need

·                     2016-17 Numbers

·                     Support available

·                     Learning points

·                     Contacts

The Panel was reminded of the public criticism of the national STF programme in 2016 and noted that the intention of the presentation was to address that negative publicity, dispel some of the rumours and to demonstrate the progress being made in the Rushmoor and Hart area as evidenced by the independent analysis carried out by Portsmouth University.

The Panel was advised that the programme had now settled down and good progress was being made in identifying and referring families in need, using a developing multi-agency approach.  The Portsmouth University analysis showed that significant improvements had been made in terms of increased school attendance and reductions in crime / anti-social behaviour for families in the programme, with Rushmoor above the County average in a number of areas (e.g. 89% sustained improvement in terms of increased school attendance compared to 86% Hampshire average). 

The Panel noted the specific process undertaken by the Rushmoor & Hart STF with its Early Help weekly meetings with partner agencies, specifically identifying and agreeing on the best Family Lead to make initial contact with the families.  The Panel was reminded that there was no cost to RBC.

The Panel NOTED the presentation.

To note the Community Policy and Review Panel’s work programme (copy attached).

The Panel noted the Work Programme for the 2016/17 Municipal Year.