Agenda and minutes

None.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business. (Late items will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items will be dealt with at item 7 below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at item 8 below).

None. 

A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member's judgement of the public interest.

None received.

Deferred to the next meeting.

Deferred until the next meeting. 

To consider any requestsreceived in accordance with Standing Orders.

None.

A presentation on the Stepping Up project evaluation carried out during 2005

Members received a presentation from Martin Bradshaw –Research Consultant on the evaluation of Stepping Up carried out in March 2005.  Copies of the Stepping Up Evaluation report, published June 2005 were distributed for reference. 

The Evaluation Aims & Objectives for the Evaluation of Stepping Up were outlined.  These were to:

§     Analyse the nature of support provided to teenage parents

§     Analyse the nature of partnership working in supporting teenage parents

§     Identify unmet needs /service gaps

§     Make recommendations to guide and inform future development                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

The Evaluation Methods for the Evaluation of Stepping Up were outlined.  These were:

•      Data monitoring

•      Interviews with project workers

•      Interviews with partner agencies

•      Focus group and interviews with teenage parents

•      Survey of all teenage parents on database

The views of Teenage Parents obtained through the evaluation teenage parents’ focus groups were discussed.  The experiences of teenage mothers included discrimination, isolation, poor social circumstances and poor emotional health. 

Teenage Parents interviewed found Stepping Up to be empathetic providing One-to-one support, providing advocacy.  It was also provided access to a range of other services through information and referral acting as a one-stop-shop. 

Teenage Parents interviewed found that Stepping Up provided access to a valuable peer support group.  This provided:

•      Space for teenage parents and their as well as their children. 

•      Helped develop social networks

•      Helped develop parenting knowledge & skills

•      Contributes to child development

The evaluation of Stepping Up project workers & other services was discussed. 

The evaluation found that there were some capacity and role definition issues for Stepping Up project workers.  These included:

•      Case loads,

•      Their advocacy role,

•      The complex and varied needs of Teenage Parents,

•      Lack of administrative support

•       Service development needs of the Stepping Up service were identified.  These included:

•      Post 20 support

•      Peer support group

•      Mental health provision (counselling)

Partner Agencies - The evaluation found that there were good working relationships between Stepping Up and partner agencies. 

The evaluation found that there was a need for geographical clarification of referrals.  Uncertainties surrounded eligibility for the Sure Start teenage parents support programme, as Sure Start is based around certain geographical localities.  The evaluation also identified strong local boundaries for local youth culture, where teenagers may be based. 

The evaluation found that the referral mechanisms from Stepping Up to partner agencies needs improved procedures, for example, definition as to the appropriate use of blanket referrals and referrals based upon need. 

Key local developments were identified.  These included:

·        The development of Children's Centres (with Teenage Parent responsibilities)

·        The Teenage Parents Nursery in Wood Green

Key findings of the Stepping Up Evaluation were discussed.  The evaluation found that the needs of teenage mothers are complex and varied.  It found that teenage parents suffered from isolation, prejudice, exclusion, and often had limited social support. 

The evaluation found that Stepping Up provides effective support to those teenage mothers in contact with the project.  It provides peer support and a convenient and accessible site  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

To consider any items admitted at item 2 above.

To consider any new items of exempt urgent business admitted at item 2 above.