Neighbourhood Action Meetings Terms of Reference

Neighbourhood Action Meetings Terms of Reference

1.0 Introduction This section provides information on Neighbourhood Action Meetings (NAMs). NAMs should be held in each neighbourhood area on a fortnightly basis. They bring together professionals from a range of different agencies and disciplines to discuss and agree how the needs of identifi ed children and families can best be met through Level 1 or 2 of the Pathways to Support and Protection. Information on the NAMs should be read in conjunction with Early Help Guidance Section - Pathways to Support and Protection. 2.0 Meetings Each NAM will review the following: Step across contacts from Children s Triage Step downs and step across from Integrated Neighbourhood Service: Families First, Assessment and Long Term teams and Integrated 0-25 SEND service Each NAM works to these guiding principles: 1. Identifying and intervening early to prevent problems escalating is at the heart of the NAM. 2. Interagency collaboration to create a better understanding of a family s needs, leading to integrated plans that make more sense to families. 3. Shared accountability and responsibility for children and families swiftly accessing the right support, tailored and proportionate to their needs. 4. A whole family approach to better understand the child and family context and underlying causes as a way of reducing re-referrals, escalation of diffi culties and risk. 5. Strengthen communication and partnerships across the community to foster innovation and proactive solutions to remove barriers to learning, health and wellbeing that vulnerable families experience. 6. Build resilience and develop capability and capacity to prevent and enable families to resolve their problems. 7. Value how and when community based voluntary sector providers may be better placed to engage and support families. 2

3.0 Membership Membership should include representatives from statutory and non-statutory agencies. A suggested membership list for each NAM is given below. Service/Organisation Representation (core and virtual members) Early Help Partnership Coordinator (Chair) Police Early Help Programme Offi cer (Business Support) Best Start in Life Centre Families First Assessment Intervention School Heath 0-25 Integrated SEND Health Visiting Behaviour and Attendance Youth Offending Service One Stop Shop Adult Mental Health Other partner organisations may be required when a need within the case arises. 4.0 Roles and responsibilities of members core and virtual Members should have seniority within their service or organisation to allocate cases within their service or team. Each member of the NAM should prepare for the meeting by: checking the list of children to be discussed against their agency database being prepared to share information and contribute their area of expertise in a meaningful multi-agency discussion knowing the capacity of their agency to take the lead and commence early help interventions with families recommended through the NAM providing timely updates as requested by the NAM or the Chair. 5.0 Frequency of meetings and venue Meetings are held fortnightly and will take place at the same time and venue. The venue will be located within the integrated neighbourhood area. 3

6.0 Chairing of meetings Meetings will be chaired by Early Help Partnership Coordinators for each integrated neighbourhood area. The role of the Chair is as follows: Screening of appropriate cases prior to the meeting Requesting updates on all Level 2 triage outcome reports (not including schools) Identify the lead service or organisation for each case where a decision is needed Determine the outcome of the case whether it has closed to the NAM, it needs to return to the NAM or it requires escalation. 7.0 Outline agenda for meetings: Welcome and introductions Step across contacts from Children s Triage Step downs and step across from neighbourhood teams: Families First, Assessment and Long Term teams and Integrated 0-25 Disabled Children s team Identifi cation of lead agency who will take on responsibility for completing an Early Help Record and coordinating support around the particular family. AOB (including partnership updates) The NAM will enable swift identifi cation of the most appropriate intervention for the family in need of support, and will recommend one or a combination of the following: Initiate a Team Around the Family/Child Initiate an Early Help Record (single or multi-agency) Ensure support at an organisational level 8.0 Preparation for the Meeting The Business Support is responsible, in each neighbourhood, for ensuring appropriate preparation for the meetings. Their responsibilities include: Preparing the agenda for the meeting by producing a list of all the cases to be discussed Sending a secure email to NAM members with list of children and young people in advance to allow them time to prepare and bring any information or intelligence ahead of the meeting Ensuring there is appropriate access to CRM and Care First Ensuring that a case note is created to record the NAM recommendation on CareFirst and any new information is entered in the case note The Business Support will update and maintain a spreadsheet of all the children and families who are discussed. NAM outcomes will be fed back to members as necessary. 9.0 Information Sharing Some families may have accessed services previously and the NAM is an opportunity for partners to share relevant information on context and history of interventions with the family. This will prevent ineffective interventions from being repeated. The amount of information shared between agencies will always depend on professional judgement, and should always be proportionate and in the best interests of the child and family. 4

9.1 Consent For each case that is referred into the NAM, consent from the family is required prior to the case being discussed. If consent is not given, the case cannot be discussed at the NAM. If consent is missing, the referring agency will be responsible for contacting the family to request consent. 10.0 Review The Chair and Business Support are responsible for ensuring that all recommended actions agreed by the NAM are followed up by lead agencies. There will be an expectation of an Early Help Record having been initiated and implemented as the family s Early Help plan. 5

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2017 Newham Council Communications 04922