CHILDREN S SERVICES PLANNING MINUTES OF MAGHERAFELT LOCALITY GROUP FRIDAY 9 TH JANUARY 2015 AT 10.00AM NORTHERN REGIONAL COLLEGE, MAGHERAFELT

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1 CHILDREN S SERVICES PLANNING MINUTES OF MAGHERAFELT LOCALITY GROUP FRIDAY 9 TH JANUARY 2015 AT 10.00AM NORTHERN REGIONAL COLLEGE, MAGHERAFELT Attending: Mary Tennyson Gold Surestart Martina Watson Mid Ulster Women s Aid Sandra Anderson CYPSP Selena Ramsey CYPSP Gerry McDonald Think Drink, NHSCT Gemma Lutton CYPSP (Minute Taker) Martin McCann TIPSA Clare McKay NICMA Anne-Marie McStocker CWSAN Kara Parker NHSCT Apologies: Marie Donaghy NRC Michael McCrory Magherafelt District Council Dougie Tyler Barnardos Maurice McLaughlin Believe in Youth Project Gail Jackson Health Visiting Gerry Lynch CWSAN Linda Wylie Public Health Agency Jade McElhone Network Personnel Fiona Scullion Early Years WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Mary agreed to chair today s meeting in Marie s and Michaels absence. Mary welcomed the group and apologies were noted. A round of introductions took place from all present. 1

2 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes were agreed as being a true and accurate recording of the previous meeting held on Friday 14 th November MATTERS ARISING Obesity Clare McKeown has been invited to attend a future meeting to present the report on obesity statistics to the group. UPDATE BELIEVE IN YOUTH Maurice has sent apologies as he is not available to attend this meeting but will provide an update at the next meeting. Gerry McDonald informed the group that the Think Drink website is now up and running. Gerry distributed new resources to the group with a QR code which if scanned by a smartphone will link the user directly to the website. The user can complete the self-assessment questionnaire or get access to other information. UPDATE SUPPORTING FAMILIES Ann-Marie provided information on the Big Lottery Supporting Families application which has been submitted. The application has been processed and is now at round 2 of the process. Group involved had a consultant carry out research to gather evidence of need for the application. The application has been submitted for funding to support those with Autism. The aim of the research was to gather information on the following: Map existing services Engage with service providers, users and their families Focus group also took place The main outcome from the research carried out is that parents are struggling to engage with schools. Ann-Marie noted she is waiting to hear from the next stage of the application process. 2

3 Information was provided on a consultation event that DADS ran in September It was noted if this funding isn t secured DADS have formed again and will continue to work with the programme. CURRENT POSITION YOUTH FAIR/ BIKE PURCHASE/ HEALTH FAIR/ DYSLEXIA PROGRAMME Selena informed the group that a subgroup will be organised to discuss the Youth Fair and to progress with this. The Health Fair is scheduled for Wednesday 11 th February 2015 in Magherafelt High School from 4.00pm 7.00pm. Marie Donaghy will be circulating more information regarding this. Selena noted she is unsure of the update regarding the Bike Purchase. The Smoothie Bike will be used to circulate around young people to reinforce the healthy eating message. UPDATE FAMILY SUPPORT HUBS It was noted a larger number of organisations are attending the Hubs and more referrals are being received. The sharing of information is good at these meetings. Selena noted she met with Claire McKay regarding linking with the Magherafelt Locality Planning Group and Clare or a colleague hopes to attend future meetings. It is hoped this will help the group identify themes of referrals being received. Selena informed the group there are already 17 referrals for the next hub meeting. MEMBER UPDATES Martin McCann TIPSA Martin informed the group TIPSA are still waiting on the tender. News has been received that funding is extended to June Martin expressed the challenges this brings for planning work and leave etc. One to one work and referrals are continuing at present. The number of walking services has increased and these will run on the 2 nd Monday of every month. Underage drinking remains an on-going issue for TIPSA. 3

4 Martina Watson Mid Ulster Women s Aid Continuing everything as normal and the Mid Ulster Refuge is busy and full to capacity. Family Support Service is being provided in Dungannon, Cookstown and Magherafelt. Martina noted Mid Ulster Women s Aid are present in The Luric Centre on a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon and are available to provide support. Personal Development and Parenting Courses will be starting next week. Mary Tennyson Gold Surestart Mary noted she linked with the food banks in the area - The Luric Centre, St Vincent s de Pauls and The Vineyard to provide as much help as possible leading up to the holidays. The level of food poverty is high and families find the holidays challenging. Help from families donating was great but the level of need for this is surprising. Mary noted ethnic families are waiting 3 months or longer for their benefits to be processed. Sandra Anderson CYPSP Sandra provided information on the Supporting Siblings Project. Sandra noted she has been successful in securing 2000 for the Magherafelt and Cookstown Locality through available funding from the Northern Outcomes Group. It is hoped to organise 2-3 events before March 2015 for the siblings that took part in this project. Sandra noted the recommendations from the project are the siblings would like a day out with their family. This will also give siblings an opportunity to meet other siblings in the same position. This will be in partnership with the ASD Team. Clare McKay NICMA Clare informed the group there is a lot of training at present and NICMA are centralising all their training courses. The Magherafelt child-minding group completed training on need analysis. Anne-Marie McStocker CWSAN Ann Marie noted the theme growing regarding training is resilience and how parents, communities can encourage resilience in young people. Denise Doherty has organised an event with Simon Ward and information has been circulated. Ed Sipler has also been booked for an event in March It was noted this will be a small event and will be more of a focus group style rather than a large conference. 4

5 Information was provided on an Online Safety workshop with Wayne Denner on 18 th March Linking with PSNI and will talk about sexting. This event will be in The Braid and will be provided for those working with or carrying for young people. Anne-Marie noted a survey was carried out to identify what training people are interested in. An event will be organised for May for Dying Matters week. Kara Parker NHSCT Kara informed the group she has started the role as a Social Worker this Monday. Family Support Meetings will be up and running and Kara hopes to get to know all the services available in the area for signposting families. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Food Banks Anne Marie raised the query for a group to forum to support the food banks and have a steering group. Anne Marie feels this is needed with the councils merging and noted Heather needs support. It was suggested for Heather to be invited to the Cookstown Locality meeting. It was also suggested for Dungannon, Cookstown and Magherafelt Locality Groups to meet to discuss and have in the Action Plan for DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING It was agreed that the next meeting would take place on Friday 13 th March 2015 at 10.00am in Northern Regional College, Magherafelt Campus. 5