Proposed structure for the Children and Young People's Workforce ...

2010- Workforce Strategy Drafti. service policies and procedures to ensure that the lead professional role is integratedinto their working practicesii. appropriate information sharing systems/confidentialityiii. opportunities for support/guidance/supervision for the lead professionaliv. access to IT and administrative support.8.6 Examples of good practiceAcross Southampton agencies are working and training together in formalised arrangements forinstance:Youth Offending Team (YOT)The YOT brings together health workers, police officers, probation officers, social workers andteachers to tackle crime committed by young people.A key change since the YOT began is the introduction of a triage system which is a method ofassessing and intervention when a young person first comes into contact with the Criminal Justicesystem. Lower level offences are dealt with by referral to the YOT for assessment andintervention, this intervention is classed as no further action; this is the Youth Restorative Disposal.While there is still appropriate intervention, the young person does not gain a criminal record whichimproves outcomes and life chances. Custodial rates for Southampton children and young peoplehave reduced considerably. The YOT team has been effective in respect of reducing re-offendingand liaison with the court to improve outcomes.A designated community psychiatric nurse has been appointed to assess all young people knownto the YOT who have been identified (using Asset and SQUIFA) as requiring additional mentalhealth assessment and intervention. All young people known to YOT who are assessed asneeding additional general health intervention are now referred to the YOT general nurse forfurther assessment and assistance if required.A designated youth support worker and education worker in the YOT are identifying young peopleat risk of exclusion, or who are excluded, and are working to reduce the numbers by liaison witheducation providers.ParentingWithin the city many practitioners and volunteers based within services for children and theirfamilies work with parents. Since 2007 a Family Nurse Practitioner workforce has been appointedto deliver an intensive programme of support to teenage parents and their children. Six ParentSupport Advisers (PSAs) are in post to work in partnership with schools and other professionalshelping children and young people to get the best out of schooling.Practitioners have been trained to deliver Evidence Based Parenting Programmes for parents ofchildren and young people 0-14:• Hanen• Baby Massage• Talk and Taste• Incredible Years• SpeakeasyThe ‘Work with Parents’ City and Guilds level 2 and 3 generic qualifications will take the firstcohorts of practitioners in 2010.Version 2.6 13