TASS in action

Developing new pathways between schools, settings, and partner agencies

As part of the work on strengthening understanding of the TASS approach, and the work of the Locality Group, a number of Early Years Cluster Meetings for our Reception staff across Fylde and Wyre were attended. As well as the sessions being very useful in terms of gathering intelligence about the strengths and challenges experienced by our early years colleagues to inform our Locality Group priorities, they also provided a forum and communication pathway to share a number of initiatives and updates that directly linked to the concerns raised by staff.

As part of the TASS approach, staff were provided with details of specific partner agencies, potential sources of support and contacts that they had not previously been aware of.  This empowered staff to consider alternative pathways and to use a more solution focussed approach to the concerns raised. A number of staff expressed a desire to be further involved with Locality Group priorities and all stated they would share the learning with their school staff.

Connecting Partners in the District

The Cove is a 14-bed specialist inpatient unit for young people between the ages of 13 and 18 who are experiencing a variety of mental health problems.

The Teacher in Charge wanted to connect with other partners that would be able to help and support their young people and families.  At a recent Early Help Conference, the EPO was able to connect Beth with the School & Family Advisor based at Morecambe Bay Food Bank and with the Youth Foundation Officer at Lancaster CVS, which would allow Beth to connect with the wider CYP multi-agency forum in the district.

Feedback from Beth:

I’m the Teacher in Charge at The Cove in Heysham. We are an inpatient CAMHS unit and the education team here helps young people aged 13-18 who are suffering from mental health issues, with accessing education whilst being admitted.

I’ve been very grateful to our local EPO, Craig Brown, for helping me to make several introductions recently in an aim to assist as many young people as possible. Contacts have been made with the local Foodbank and Citizens Advice, Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster CVS and the Family Hub down the road as well. I’ve been welcomed into focus groups for increasing EET and have met with college staff with an aim to providing potential opportunities for inpatients who may be NEET at the point of admission. This initial contact has even led to further opportunities as members of the nursing staff here are hoping to be able to visit the college soon to speak to young people about careers in mental health nursing.

Thanks, Craig, some really great links have been made with your help, muchly appreciated!

Beth Spencer.

Addressing the increased incidents of youth ASB (anti-social behaviour) across Bamber Bridge

'Wot Wud U Do' Educational Services have been working in two South Ribble high schools looking at the root causes of the ASB (anti-social behaviour) which is prevalent across the area.

Utilising VRN (Violence Reduction Network) funding from the TASS work responding to schools across Leyland and Chorley who raised concerns about increased ASB, Wot Wud U Do have engaged approximately 40 year 7 pupils who have experience of ASB in their area.

Through weekly sessions and workshops in school with the young people, the project will work with them to develop a booklet with the following content:

• what ASB is and why people do it.
• stories from the pupils, revolving around a time when they took part in ASB with a particular focus on what they learned.
• positive messages and solutions to address the 'whys'.
• educational material on stress management and the link to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
• pupils own recommendations and solutions.

It is hoped that the young people themselves will have the opportunity to present this booklet and findings to partners in the district such as the police and the Community Safety Partnership.

Develop a partnership approach to increase the number of young people accessing education, employment or training post-16

The Preston TASS working group focused on increasing EET has been looking at various ways to support schools and young people in post 16 options. While the working group have focused on post 16, there is widespread recognition that messages around futures, aspirations and careers need to start much earlier.

A resource for primary schools was identified through discussion with partners in the construction industry and schools in specific targeted wards across the city were identified. The books called 'When I Grow Up' are aimed at Key Stage 1 classes and use colourful design and rhymes to engage and inspire children. They give an introduction to the construction industry but also promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects to young children. As well as covering the skill shortage in the industry, the stories tackle diversity and gender equality.

Targeted wards of the city were identified and the primary schools within those wards were offered the books. 14 primary schools accepted the offer, with a total of 38 classes able to use the materials. This meant that in the region of 1100 children in the wards of highest post 16 NEET data had access to early messages about their potential, aspirations, and futures.

When I Grow Up (whenigrowupbook.co.uk)

The TARDIS schools and community network has grown to include local community centre leaders and 0-19 health services. Discussions in the last meeting led to connection with LCC's communities team, who offered to support with the funding of the community centre room to enable health visitors to deliver a child health clinic, alongside a Family Hub parent led baby group.

This is a much needed and welcomed provision in the northern parishes of West Lancashire and the TARDIS network meetings have enabled effective communication and building of relationships between services to make this happen.

Team Around the School and Settings, education and Pennine Community Safety Partnership (CSP)

We have built an effective collaboration between the TASS Education Partnership Officers, education representatives and the Pennine Community Safety Partnership. Their input has added value to Pennine CSP and they can relay the education sector's voice and concerns. We often have agenda items that affect young people and they have knowledge of services and project delivery in the Pennine locality so we can assess resources, delivery and gaps.

Lindsay Frew

Partnerships manager, Community Safety Team, Blackburn with Darwen