Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Chair, Jonathan O’Sullivan was appointed Chair for the duration of the meeting. The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and made introductions.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Comer-Schwartz and Emma Whitby.  

If you have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest* in an item of business:

·         if it is not yet on the council’s register, you must declare both the existence and details of it at the start of the meeting or when it becomes apparent;

·         you may choose to declare a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest that is already in the register in the interests of openness and transparency. 

In both the above cases, you must leave the room without participating in discussion of the item.

If you have a personal interest in an item of business and you intend to speak or vote on the item you must declare both the existence and details of it at the start of the meeting or when it becomes apparent but you may participate in the discussion and vote on the item.

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This applies to all voting members present at the meeting.

There were no declarations of pecuniary or other interests made at the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on the 31st of October 2023 be confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting and signed by the Chair. 

Items were considered in the order they appeared on the agenda.

The Director of youth and communities provided an annual update on the youth counselling and substance misuse and alcohol service. It was highlighted that there had been a focus on trauma and the service had seen a reduction in self-harm, which was positive.

The following main points were discussed at the meeting:

·       The transition from children to adult services. It was explained that a lot of work took place to ensure support continued if it was required. This included work with colleagues and partners including better lives.

·       The increase in children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). These children would be supported to get a diagnosis if they required one.

·       How to encourage and retain engagement

·       The impact of multiple severe disadvantages and the importance of a strategic, multi-agency long term approach.

·       The additional support provided to looked after children.

·       That some of the criteria for accessing support could be challenging with people presenting with multiple needs, such as mental health and substance abuse.

·       Transition planning, particularly when a child leaves child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)

·       Following a question from a panel member on the referral and exclusion criteria for support it was explained that young people would be screened effectively and would be provided with appropriate support.

·       The importance of maintaining community links to understand the offer, which was broader than just adult social care.

·       That the most common interaction with CAMHs was once and the importance of making the most of that contact.

RESOLVED:

a)    For members of the board to help to promote YCMAS to staff members and potential service users.

b)    For members of the board to be aware of the interconnectivity between YCMAS and the services that exist for adults (e.g. Better Lives).

c)     For YCMAS and its partners to keep abreast of potential single agency or joint funding opportunities.

The Board received the Islington Safeguarding Adults Board (ISAB) Annual Report 2022-23. The report highlighted the work of the partnership across the statutory, voluntary and provider services, the key achievements of the ISAB and details of the challenges that residents, carers and the partnership had faced over the period.

The following main points were discussed at the meeting:

·       Home visits and whether councillors could be signposted to or receive information on how to identify safeguarding issues in the home,

·       That the housing and maintenance teams were very involved in spotting abuse and neglect.

·       That housing had been bought to the forefront during Covid-19 and had remained an important area,

·       That there were conversations underway to ensure ‘the right care for the right person’.

·       The importance of being responsive too and learning from residents.

·       The importance of transparency.

RESOLVED:

(a)   To note the report and future priorities of the Islington Safeguarding Adults Board (ISAB).

(b)   To support the ISAB in achieving its future priorities by ensuring ongoing support for the work of the board.

(c)   To commend the ISAB partnership for their work and continual commitment to working together to safeguard the vulnerable residents of Islington from experiencing abuse or neglect.

The Board received an update on the combating drugs partnership. The report provided an update on the partnerships work and summarised proposals for 2024/25, as grants had been confirmed.

The following main points were discussed at the meeting

·       That success was measured by reaching target numbers of people who accessed support

·       The work aligned with the Health and Wellbeing Boards ambitions to prevent harm and reduce risk.

·       The Dame Black recommendations were embedded in the strategy.

·       The importance of driving awareness of the support available.

·       How services could be demystified and destigmatised, for example through initiatives like helping hands

·       The importance of connecting with partners so as not to duplicate work.

·       How connections with GP Practices could be strengthened.

RESOLVED:

a)    To note progress against the National Drugs Strategy objectives and the current areas of national and local focus around drugs and alcohol, in particular Islington’s Combatting Drugs Partnership, Community of Practice, and forthcoming service developments for 2024/25.  

b)    To note the increases in people in treatment and recovery and numbers of people starting treatment as additional resources and service improvement initiatives come into effect. 

c)     To note and support the activities to promote the services with health and social care and community and voluntary sector partners, and opportunities to increase referrals and access to treatment and helpfor people with, or affected by, drug and alcohol use. 

The Health and Wellbeing Board received a presentation on improving joined up working and oversight so residents could live healthy and independent lives. The report set out the key collaborative and complementary areas of work that enabled this ambition and the opportunities to further align and develop their joint working. 

RESOLVED:

a)    To note the contents of the report and actions set out in Section 3  

b)    Provide any additional comments that would support the developments and actions outlined.