Scottish Government

CHAPTER SEVEN: PARTNERSHIP WORKING

7.1 INTRODUCTION

One of the key aims of this research is to explore how membership of the CTCS can be increased in areas of high deprivation, through the development of partnership arrangements with professionals working with parents and children in these areas. In order to establish how these relationships may be developed in practice, this study focussed on the opportunities available in three local authority areas - Glasgow, Dundee and East Ayrshire. In addition, partnership arrangements with organisations operating at a national level were also explored. This section outlines the opportunities for partnership working which have been identified.

7.2 CURRENT PARTNERSHIP WORKING

The current arrangements for promoting the CTCS are outlined in detail in Chapter Two. At present, the main partners are:

• Health Boards - responsible for distributing the CTCS registration forms and providing statistics on the number of invitations issued. In some areas promotional activity is also undertaken by Health Visitors.
• Nursery Schools - many promote the Club to parents, encourage registration and raise awareness through use of the CTCS Nursery and Playgroup Pack.
• Road Safety Units - undertake a range of activities to promote the CTCS to children, parents and other stakeholders. The nature and extent of promotion varies greatly between Units.

In the past, Health Visitors and childminders have played a more active role as CTCS partners through encouraging registration and using CTCS resources. However, these relationships have not been sustained at the same level in recent years.

7.3 POTENTIAL FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS

7.3.1 NHS

Discussion with Health Boards in the three target local authority areas identified a number of potential opportunities for working in partnership to promote the CTCS. Overall, the NHS staff consulted believed that the aims of the CTCS fit well with health and social care priorities, and that it would make sense to strengthen joint working relationships.

• Strategic joint working - a number of consultees suggested that generally staff would be more receptive to promotion of the CTCS if the objectives of this activity were set within the local and strategic context and could be demonstrated to fit with other priorities. As such, it was suggested that making linkages with Community Planning Partnerships would be critical to developing a co-ordinated and consistent approach to CTCS promotion in areas of deprivation. The community planning structures in each local authority area are different, but the target authorities suggested that a sub-group of the partnership which focuses on health and wellbeing (or similar) issues would generally be the most appropriate forum.

Health Boards also highlighted the potential for referring to CTCS promotion in 'Integrated Children's Services Plans', which must be produced by each local authority area in conjunction with key partners. In most cases, these will have been developed through Community Planning Partnership structures. One Health Board suggested that including the CTCS in this plan would provide a useful guiding framework for CTCS promotion.

• Promotion by health staff - Health Boards also suggested that a number of staff could assist in the promotion of the CTCS. Generally, it was felt that staff do not have time to use the CTCS resources with parents and children, but that it would be appropriate for staff to raise awareness of the Club and assist with registration.

Generally it was felt that Health Visitors would be best placed to perform this role. Consultees indicated that at present, promotion of the CTCS by Health Visitors is undertaken on an ad hoc basis depending on staff interests and priorities. Changes in the NHS have meant that the way in which health visitor services are provided is being reviewed. The new approach will be different in each Health Board, but, critically for the CTCS, there will no longer be a three year health check for all children in all areas. In the past, this check has proved to be a useful mechanism for promoting the Club, and the loss of this opportunity is a concern.

However, with changes to Health Visitor services, there is now an increasing focus on supporting those families which are most vulnerable or deprived. This offers a real opportunity for targeted promotion of the CTCS to these families, and involvement of Health Visitors could be critical to increasing membership. Some Health Boards seemed amenable to exploring whether the promotion of the CTCS could be undertaken on a consistent basis by Health Visitors, through formally making this part of their job description.

Other consultees suggested that immunisation of children at three years old (undertaken by GPs) could also be an opportunity for promotion of the Club. Awareness raising along with availability of promotional materials and registration forms at doctor's surgeries in areas of high deprivation could therefore reach this client group.

• Local health initiatives - in each Health Board area, consultees suggested potential initiatives and projects working with parents and children which could help to promote the CTCS. These include Healthy Living Initiatives and a local 'Health Library Scheme'. In one area, a local 'Health Support Staff' initiative was highlighted as a key way to reach people in areas of high deprivation. This initiative runs in Easterhouse, Gorbals and Clydebank. It trains lay people within these communities to support families to access information and services. There are likely to be similar initiatives running in other areas of high deprivation across Scotland. In many cases these initiatives will be part of the Sure Start Scotland programme (see Section 7.3.5 for more detail).
• Local NHS administration - it was challenging to identify the individual or team with responsibility for administering the distribution of CTCS registration forms to parents within each Health Board. Once staff were identified, it was clear that the objective behind the distribution of the registration forms was not always apparent to those with direct responsibility for distributing them. Some consultees suggested that there was potential to ensure that those undertaking this task had a greater awareness of the CTCS and the purpose of the registration process.

Example: Healthy Living Initiatives in Dundee

Dundee Health Board has implemented a series of initiatives in deprived areas dealing with 'healthy living' themes. These initiatives focus on taking the messages directly to people in their communities, including pubs, supermarkets and shopping centres.

Throughout 2005, health advisers have advised 2,000 people in the main shopping centre and have been able to reach a large number of low income men, a particularly hard to reach group, through the pub-based advisors.

Amongst these initiatives are projects where staff have direct contact with parents and young families including the 'healthy library scheme' where libraries carry electronic and paper information about health issues and staff are trained to give advice on some issues.

The Healthy Living Campaign and the Dundee Literacy Campaign had also made broadcasts on Tay FM's 'Life Matters' slot - a 10-15 minute radio show that focuses on health and life issues.

The Manager of the Healthy Living Initiative was keen to discuss how the CTCS could be promoted through these channels and how Healthy Living Initiative staff could assist families to register.

7.3.2 Education Services

Discussions with Education Services identified that promotion of the CTCS at a strategic level was not a priority. Consultees suggested that involvement of nursery schools as front line services was critical, and that relationships should be built with nurseries on an individual basis. Unlike in the health field, consultees did not see the need for CTCS promotion to be built into a strategic framework for all nurseries in the area.

A number of suggestions were made regarding promotion of the Club by nurseries. It was recognised that many nurseries currently promote the CTCS through using resources and distributing registration forms. However, it was felt that relationships could be strengthened through the provision of training about the Club for nursery staff and more regular provision of new resources and registration forms.

In one local authority area - Dundee - it was suggested that there was potential to link with the pre-school visiting service to promote the CTCS. This service acts as a first line response for families requiring help and provides support services to parents and families with a wide range of issues including special needs. This service could incorporate the promotion of the CTCS into its activities, particularly for families whose children have additional support needs and may think the books are not appropriate for their child.

7.3.3 Social Work Services

Social Work representatives were positive about the way in which they could assist in increasing membership of the CTCS in areas of high deprivation. Consultees highlighted the importance of personal, face to face contact with parents in increasing membership and overcoming difficulties with the current registration process.

Although Social Work structures and services varied in different areas, a wide range of individuals in contact with parents and young children were identified, including 'children and families' workers, addiction workers and community development staff. Family support centres were also identified as a key point of contact for promoting the Club. Generally, Social Work representatives suggested that, as many children move into education at three, nurseries should continue to be a major partner in promoting the CTCS. However, it was felt that Social Work staff could play a key role in targeting more vulnerable families, perhaps through raising awareness of the Club while children are in their late twos, in order to catch those who may slip through the net later on.

In some areas, joint Social Work and Health teams had been established to work with families with young children. In Glasgow, 'Parents and Children Together' ( PACT) teams which work with vulnerable families were seen as a sensible route for emphasising the role of the CTCS and assisting with registration.

7.3.4 Local projects and initiatives

• Community Planning Partnerships/Social Inclusion Partnerships - many consultees felt that an effective way to boost registration is for the CTCS to make contact directly with communities in socially excluded areas through Social Inclusion Partnerships ( SIPs). SIPs are in the process of being integrated within Community Planning Partnerships ( CPPs) and it is, therefore, more appropriate to make linkages with appropriate structures within CPPs, which are continuing to target activities in deprived areas.

Discussion with one SIP, which will remain in operation until March 2006, indicated a desire for more information about the CTCS. This SIP facilitated meetings of local nurseries to share good practice and it was felt that a presentation on CTCS materials would raise awareness of the Club in the local area. As SIPs generally did not have much everyday contact with parents and children, they felt that their main contribution would be as a facilitator and awareness raiser in the local area.

The Community Planning Partnership consulted was less sure about the way in which CTCS promotion could fit with CPP activity at a strategic level. This reinforces earlier comments from stakeholders that finding the appropriate sub-group at which to promote the CTCS - such as a health and wellbeing group - would be critical.

Example: Toryglen SIP, Glasgow

Toryglen SIP has prioritised child safety and undertaken considerable work to raise awareness and address issues related to child safety. However, consultees indicated that to date there has been little, if any, discussion about the contribution the CTCS could make to this initiative. It was suggested that working in partnership with the SIP to raise awareness of the CTCS and encourage registration could be an effective way of boosting registration in this area.

• Adult Literacy Pathfinders - these pilot projects operate across Scotland focusing on working with particular groups of people who have literacy difficulties. Discussion with one pathfinder, working with fathers with literacy problems, indicated that there is some potential for parents to be encouraged to join the club by the pathfinder. This project emphasised the need for one to one contact, and the necessity of building confidence prior to asking people to sign up to resources. The pathfinder does a lot of work supporting fathers as parents. Support in using (appropriate) CTCS resources may fit well with existing activities.

Another pathfinder consulted focused on supporting families with literacy difficulties. Again, the importance of providing support to people in registering and using the resources was emphasised. The core of this project's activity is helping parents and children learn together, meaning that CTCS promotion could sit well with their objectives.

7.3.5 National Voluntary and Representative Organisations

Organisations in the voluntary and not for profit sectors were keen to refresh or establish partnership relationships with the CTCS. The organisations included in the research were:

• Scottish Pre-School Play Association
• Home-Start
• Scottish Childminding Association
• SureStart
• Scottish Pre-School Play Association ( SPPA) - this organisation supports children and families in Scotland through the development of quality, early education and childcare services. SPPA works with member groups across Scotland, reaching over 40,000 children between birth and five years, their parents and carers. Members include playgroups, toddler groups, under 5 groups, day care groups, nurseries and family centres.

The SPPA does currently promote the CTCS to member groups through articles in its quarterly magazine 'First Five' and leaflets distributed in delegate packs at conferences. However, staff stressed the importance of face to face contact in promoting the CTCS. In approximately half of all local authority areas, the SPPA has local development staff who could promote the CTCS personally to playgroups and day care centres. In areas where there are no local SPPA staff, they would be prepared to provide Road Safety Scotland with a list of member groups, meaning that an individual responsible for CTCS promotion could undertake promotion themselves. The SPPA felt strongly that there was a need for an individual to be in place with clear responsibility for promoting the CTCS nationally.

• Home-Start - is a voluntary organisation operating across the UK and abroad, offering support for families with young children. Support is offered by staff and volunteers, who offer guidance, assistance and practical help with parenting as well as support in making use of local services and resources.

Parents can access Home-Start services directly, or be referred by another agency. Often parents ask for support because they feel isolated or are struggling to cope due to their own or a child's physical or mental illness.

Discussion with one Home-Start project located in Glasgow North and West indicated that at present this project is not aware of the CTCS and currently does nothing to promote it. However, the project believed that the CTCS was important for its client group and was keen to explore ways in which volunteers - who have regular contact with families - could be trained on how to promote the CTCS to parents. The project suggested that the most effective method would be for a CTCS representative to attend a volunteer training session and provide information about the CTCS.

• Scottish Childminding Association - this organisation supports registered childminders across Scotland through providing assistance in meeting their development needs. The aim is to develop high quality services with all childminders receiving the support and advice they need to meet National Childcare Standards. Among other activities, the Association runs training events, provides assistance in accessing funding and meeting standards, and produces guidance materials.

At present, the Scottish Childminding Association ( SCA) is well aware of the CTCS and has worked closely with Road Safety Scotland to promote the Club in the past. In 1998-99, the organisations worked jointly to develop a resource for childminders (the CTCS Childminders' Pack). However, the SCA indicated that the packs produced ran out very quickly and the impetus for promoting the CTCS died. There was also some discussion about Road Safety Officers providing training and information sessions for childminder network groups at a local level. However, the SCA indicated that due to substantial changes in personnel at Road Safety Scotland this has not been taken forward.

The SCA is keen to re-establish links with the CTCS and were keen to obtain further copies of the Childminders' Pack for distribution to registered individuals. The SCA also emphasised the need for supporting childminders in their use of the packs. It was felt that this could be achieved in two ways. Firstly, it would be particularly useful if a CTCS representative could attend local childcare network groups and provide guidance and information directly to childminders. Secondly, there is a network of 'Working for Families' staff employed by the SCA. These staff support childminders, particularly in working with vulnerable families, and could be used as a key route for promoting the CTCS to childminders.

• SureStart Scotland - is an initiative run by the Early Education and Childcare Division within the Scottish Executive. The aim is to ensure that support is available for families with children under five, with that support strongly focussed on more deprived communities and vulnerable families. The initiative is seen as a key element of the Scottish Executive's programme to promote social inclusion.

The programme consists of funding allocated to all local authorities (a total of just under £53 million in 2005/06), to facilitate the development of support services in partnership with organisations in the health, social care and voluntary sector. The current funding programme runs to 2008.

The objectives of SureStart Scotland fit well with CTCS aims, focussing on improving children's social and emotional development, health and ability to learn while also strengthening families and communities. The Scottish Executive specifies that the first aim of SureStart provision should be to:

"encourage parents to identify what will be helpful resources and services, and in light of that make provision which maximises opportunities for parental involvement and self and group help."

SureStart Scotland provision will build upon existing networks in local communities, and involve key stakeholders - including parents and children - in the planning and provision of services.

Each local authority area will develop services in different ways, but it is clear that making linkages between the CTCS and new integrated services developed through SureStart programmes could be a key way of raising awareness. Some linkages have already been developed - for example the CTCS was promoted in a SureStart Scotland bulletin on child safety - but there are opportunities to develop linkages at a local level. Each local authority has a dedicated officer with responsibility for the SureStart programme, and developing an understanding of local SureStart activities could be a first step in making linkages with appropriate services.

7.4 SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 7

• Road Safety Scotland has developed a network of partnership arrangements to promote the CTCS - with current relationships focussing on Health Boards, nurseries and Road Safety Units
• Partnership arrangements with other stakeholders - such as the Scottish Childminding Association and Health Visitors - have fluctuated over the years, tending to strengthen as new resources are developed, but then peter out
• All key stakeholders consulted were keen to strengthen relationships with the CTCS, and suggested many varied opportunities for promoting the Club in areas of high deprivation, and supporting parents to register and use the resources
• The primary route for building relationships with a range of partners at a strategic level is the Community Planning Partnerships in each local authority area
• It was suggested that it would be most beneficial to liaise with appropriate sub-groups of the CPP - such as thematic groups dealing with children, safety and health, and area based groups operating in areas of high deprivation
• A range of opportunities for promoting the CTCS at front line level were identified, including:
• • Strengthening existing relationships with Health Visitors and nurseries
  • Developing links with local projects, family centres and Social Workers
  • Working with local literacy projects to support parents to join and use the CTCS
  • Tapping into local staff networks of national voluntary organisations
• There are also opportunities to link with SureStart activities, which strongly complement CTCS objectives. However, as initiatives vary between areas these relationships would have to be developed at a local level
• All consultees emphasised that in order to promote the CTCS they would require further information, support and guidance on the Club
• All emphasised the need to have at least one individual who is responsible for CTCS co-ordination and promotion at a national level, who could act as a key contact within Road Safety Scotland.