Agenda item

To receive an update on services for 0-5 year olds.

Susan Otiti, Assistant Director of Public Health, introduced the report which provided an update on services for 0-5 year olds. It was explained that various services for 0-5 year olds were delivered by the Council, community health services, education providers, and other community groups. It was noted that there had been an existing strain on resources before the Covid-19 pandemic and the update illustrated how the pandemic had affected services, how the services had adapted, and how services might be changed or strengthened as part of Covid recovery.

It was noted that the report in the agenda pack included information from partner organisations on how they had supported children and families through the pandemic. It was stated that Covid-19 had profoundly impacted children and families; although data had been gathered to map the impacts as much as possible, the full extent of this was not yet fully understood.

It was explained that services for 0-5 year olds were part of a traditionally complex system which was monitored and developed strategically by the Start Well Partnership Board which reported to the wider Haringey Partnership Board. It was noted that there was good oversight of the whole system and services. It was added that the Safeguarding Children’s Partnership Board also provided some support and this had met more regularly during the pandemic to ensure that partners had good communications in relation to safeguarding.

The Health and Wellbeing Board heard that services had remained open during the pandemic but that the model of provision had been primarily delivered through phone and video communications. It was explained that there had been significant demands on the workforce in health and social care and the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) as organisations had been dealing with high sickness levels, shielding, and redeployment of staff to essential services. It was highlighted that the most vulnerable families had been prioritised. It was added that a key focus throughout the pandemic had been to create and grow connections between organisations and there was demand to maintain this in the long term.

The Assistant Director of Public Health explained that the health inequalities in Haringey had been brought into sharper focus during the pandemic and, although data was still being gathered, there were some initial indications that existing inequalities might have increased. For children in Haringey, it was noted that there were issues in relation to digital poverty, food poverty, domestic abuse, cramped housing, contact with families, and remote learning. It was reported that services had supported children in a variety of ways which included finding ways to keep children in touch with families, food donations, and joint work with health visitors and social workers.

It was noted that the report looked at the services provided, assessed how these had coped and adapted during the pandemic, and considered how services were anticipated to progress following the pandemic. It was summarised that the key impacts of the pandemic were generally a shift to online or phone provision and an increased impact on resident and staff mental health and wellbeing and that, in terms of future working, it was anticipated that there would be increased partnership working. It was added that the key aim going forward would be to strengthen the system wide approach.

Cllr Kaushika Amin thanked officers for the update and enquired whether risk assessments had been undertaken and whether any issues had occurred. It was also asked what had happened in relation to children’s centres and how new families in particular had been supported given the lack of access to face-to-face services. The Whittington Trust Chief Executive explained that face-to-face health visiting services had been maintained. It was added that any families of concern had been prioritised accordingly and that it might be possible to collate additional information.

The Director of Children’s Services noted that staff and volunteers had been working exceptionally hard throughout the pandemic. It was explained that children’s centres had been open at points, depending on a risk assessed approach, and that some online provision had been available. It was highlighted that children and families had been provided with face-to-face support throughout the pandemic where needed but that there had also been a duty to keep staff safe, particularly where staff were clinically vulnerable, and to follow government guidance. Following the experiences throughout the pandemic, it was generally considered that small virtual groups were optimal and that virtual provision was less effective for children under two and for new parents who wanted to network.

In response to a query about whether there had been any issues, it was confirmed that there had been no serious case reviews during the pandemic. However, it was noted that, ideally, services would aim to be reflective and promote continual learning.

Cllr Lucia Das Neves enquired whether there had been any reflections on how to prioritise the most vulnerable communities or individuals, such as migrant families or those experiencing post-partum difficulties, when access was digital. Beverley Hendricks, Assistant Director for Safeguarding and Social Care, noted that there had been significant preparatory work at the start of the pandemic to support social workers. This had included designing risk assessment tools to identify concerns which incorporated reading body language and tone of voice. It was also explained that there had been a rapid response and adaptation from health visitors to incorporate risk assessments into visits. There had also been preparation for particular cohorts which were expected to need better visual provision, such as children under five, those with children in need plans, and those with disabilities. It was added that there was parenting support for families with the highest levels of need and midwives had reported that, due to restricted visitor arrangements, they had spent more time supporting breastfeeding on the wards. It was noted that a more detailed update on perinatal mental health and breastfeeding could be provided.

The Interim Director of Public Health noted that the Community Health Advisory Board had also considered this report and had commented that it would be important to remember the wider determinants of health, including substance misuse, youth violence, domestic violence, poverty, and poor housing quality. The Chair noted that the wider determinants were very important, particularly as part of the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

RESOLVED

To note the update.