Agenda for Children's Partnership Board on Wednesday, 18th December, 2019, 4.00 pm

Agenda and draft minutes

Venue: LB 41 - Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG. View directions

Contact: Catherine Ziane-Pryor  Governance Officer

Items
No. Item

20.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Helen Blackman

Peter Brammall

Nicky Bridges

Matthew Healey

Derek Hobbs

Karla Kapstick

21.

DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

Minutes:

None.

22.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 365 KB

Of the meeting held on 25 September 2019 (for confirmation)

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2019 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

23.

AN UPDATE ON CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND WELLBEING IN THE CONTEXT OF NOTTINGHAM CITY'S CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE PLAN 2016-20 pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Report of the Director of Public Health

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Helene Denness, Consultant in Public Health, introduced the report highlighting partnership activity that promotes the health of babies, children and young people in Nottingham, specifically focussing on efforts to reduce:

 

(1)  the proportion of women smoking in pregnancy, which is significantly higher than the England average and the fourth highest among statistical neighbours;

 

(2)  the proportion of year 6 children who are obese which is significantly higher than the England average and the third highest among statistical neighbours, and

 

(3)  the percentage of mothers who breastfeed their babies at 6-8 weeks in Nottingham, whilst better than the England average is not improving and a local study indicates that breastfeeding rates are lower in younger, white women in the most deprived areas of the city.

 

The following points were raised during the discussion which followed:

 

(a)  the Council Plan has ambitious targets to make reductions in all these areas, as did the last Council Plan and Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP). Funding will be sought and, if secured, dedicated smoking in pregnancy posts created, alongside training for staff and engagement with young people;

(b)  schools often reward attainment and good behaviour with unhealthy food such as cakes and sweets, and this culture can be difficult to change, particularly as the Council’s relationship with schools has changed. Examples of good alternative practice should be shared;

(c)  parents can be offended when they are informed that their children are overweight or obese in writing following the National Childhood Measurement Programme. Some vulnerable parents will be unwilling to seek the suggested help and less willing to engage;

(d)  some food cooked in classes at school is unhealthy and could be swapped for healthier alternatives;

(e)  arguably, the Council has more control and power over certain aspects of the obesogenic environment, such as licensing, advertising and sponsorship.

 

The Board was particularly interested in the perspective of the Youth Cabinet, given their current experience of the provision of food in schools and colleges.

 

The Board then split into three groups to discuss each of the three areas, and where improvement could be made. At the end of discussion each group summed up their main findings as follows:

 

(f)  childhood obesity – different communities’ attitudes to food, preparation and mealtimes could be better shared, which could start at Primary Parliament. Also, community gardens could be used as a resource to teach children and young people about healthy eating. Early intervention is key;

(g)   breastfeeding – more focus could be on young women and stigmas around breastfeeding, along with wider body image issues. A peer support model with a celebrity or locally prominent community member could be used;

(h)  Smoking in pregnancy – Small Steps Big Changes could be used to test and learn. Support could be put in place for those who wish to swap from smoking to vaping. A peer support model would also be good here.

 

RESOLVED to

 

(1)  note the contents of the report and progress on health and wellbeing outcomes in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

24.

DISCUSSION ON CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE PLAN DEVELOPMENT

Introduced by Sophie Russell, Head of Children’s Strategy and Improvement

Minutes:

Sophie Russell, Head of Children’s Strategy and Improvement, explained that the current Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) finishes in 2020. The Plan has four strategic priorities:

 

·  promoting the health and wellbeing of babies, children and young people;

·  safeguarding and supporting children and families;

·  supporting achievement and academic attainment;

·  empowering families to be strong and achieve economic wellbeing.

 

As a new CYPP is developed, the Board is asked to discuss whether these themes are still relevant and what should be captured in the new CYPP.

 

A video produced by The Pythian Club was then shown to the Board, showing young people from a range of backgrounds talking about their worries and aspirations for Nottingham.

 

The Board was then asked in groups to discuss what they would put in their ‘house of good things’, ‘house of worries’ and ‘house of dreams’ in the context of Nottingham. Each group was then asked for one thought to share with the Board, which were as follows:

 

·  It would be good if there was more inter-generational discussion of problems and solutions in local communities;

·  Some families are excluded from city events such as those at Old Market Square, due to high costs;

·  There should be more investment in individuals and local role models in the Voluntary Community Sector.

25.

YOUTH CABINET UPDATE

Jon Rea, Engagement and Participation Lead Officer, to introduce.

Minutes:

This item was withdrawn from the agenda as Youth Cabinet members had contributed to earlier discussions.

26.

PARTNERSHIP UPDATE: PRIMARY SCHOOLS pdf icon PDF 242 KB

Nicky Bridges, Headteacher of Robin Hood Primary School to provide a verbal update.

 

Minutes:

This item was withdrawn from the agenda as the Primary Schools representative was unable to attend. A written update was available to Board members and is attached to these minutes.

27.

KEY MESSAGES AND ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

Minutes:

None.

28.

FORWARD PLAN pdf icon PDF 112 KB

Minutes:

The forward plan was noted.