Report - London Borough of Hillingdon

3. Children and Young People affected by or involved in substance misuse.
4. Children under eight receiving day care services.
5. Children and Young People with disabilities and long term health needs including those
preparing for adulthood and children with special educational needs.
6. Children and Young People looked after by the local authority including asylum seekers
and refugees.
7. Children and Young People in need of protection.
Progress To Date
43.5 The production of a multi-agency Children’s Services Plan is a complex and timeconsuming
task requiring commitment and participation from all partner agencies
including the Voluntary Sector. The demands made by the Children’s Services Plan have
been additional to the existing workloads of all agencies, and have particularly impacted
on Social Services which are required to lead the process.
43.6 It is important to acknowledge the enthusiasm and commitment shown by those
participating in the planning process, which is strengthened by a shared recognition that
as the demands on all agencies are increased and resources reduced, more effective
services can only be provided through closer collaboration, the elimination of overlaps and
clearer priorities.
43.7 There are difficulties for all agencies in developing a three year plan without knowing
the full extent of likely budget limitations for this period, given that budgets are set on an
annual basis.
43.8 Multi-agency Project Groups have been set up to gain a clearer picture of need,
existing services, gaps and overlaps in services and to make proposals for future action in
relation to all of the areas outlined in .4 with the exception of Children Under Eight who
have already been considered by the Day Care Review. Each reported their preliminary
findings in November.
43.9 Two multi-agency staff workshops were held in June, to provide staff with the
opportunity to influence the planning process. Their views about existing services, and
ideas for future action were collated and used by the Project Groups to shape the plan.
43.10 A Seminar for the Voluntary Sector was held in June to provide organisations with
the opportunity to influence the planning process. 97 voluntary organisations were
identified and invited to this Seminar. The views expressed were collated and used by the
Project Groups to shape the plan.
PART I - MEMBERS & PUBLIC (INCLUDING THE PRESS)
Social Services Committee - 30 January 1997 Page 38