Hi all
As we are all currently working to publish the 'new-style' CYPP for 2011, I wondered whether it would be useful to share the learning with colleagues in similar positions.
Within Bromley we have page on our Trust website where we are producing updates on the project to develop the CYPP 2011. We have also developed a specific Twitter site for the project to keep people up to date.
Is anybody else in a position to share their learning?
Lesson one that we have learnt are trying to manage is that the CYPP cannot cover every element of the business. Therefore, we are currently working with the Trust Board members to agree five cross-cutting priorities for the key areas for the Trust Board to focus on in improving outcomes for children and young people over the lifetime of the CYPP. We are also being clear that the proposed priorities do not, and are not intended to, reflect all of the ongoing areas of core business of the Trust Board members, whether collectively or individually.
Lesson two is that it is very difficult to produce the CYPP in light of the daily policy announcements by the government. A question that is being asked, rightly I would say, is "how can we sign up to the CYPP when we don't know a) what resources we will have and b) what the government is expecting us to do post Summer 2010?". This creates a challenging environment, especially when the Minister in charge of children's social care and young people's services says that they are looking at the obligation on local authorities to have children's trusts in place. I would argue that we should use the current legislation in place to offer opportunities for better joint working and to develop joint local solutions to deliver better outcomes for children and young people, and their families. However, the easy option is to withdraw from the joint working and protect your own budget. What is the future on this, and what impact will this have on Trust Boards and the 'new-style' CYPP - who knows!
But in the meantime, can we help each other by sharing the learning, the common concerns and issues, and any solutions to tackling these issues?
Many thanks
Michael WattsSenior Partnerships and Planning OfficerLondon Borough of Bromleymichael.watts@bromley.gov.uk
...and to complicate matters even more, the DfE have announced outline details of the reforms to Children's Trusts and CYPP's!
www.education.gov.uk/.../childrenstrusts
