Communities First Cwmtopia Partnership Child Poverty Self-assessment Report

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Communities First

Cwmtopia PartnershipChild Poverty Self-assessment Report

7th February 2011

CONTENTS

Page

2. Introduction

3. Methodology

5. Self Assessment Bulls-eye

6. Action Points Summary

11. Workshop Results

25. Workshop Evaluation

30. Action points

31. List of participants

1

Introduction

Blaenau Gwent CYPP members plus invited guests participated in a fact finding workshop on 4th June 2010 at the Municipal Offices, Civic Centre, Ebbw Vale.

The group undertook a self-assessment exercise on behalf of the CYPP. The focus of the assessment was to assess the partnership’s current approach and ability to act on reducing child poverty and to identify barriers to achieving success.

The session, facilitated by Geraldine Murphy from the WLGA Partnership Support Unit and Ross Chamberlain from Save the Children, Child Poverty Solutions, www.childpovertysolutions.org.uk, was very well attended.

The agreed aim of the workshop was to develop a shared understanding of the child poverty agenda and draw out ideas from the participants to inform CYPP action planning for child poverty.

Workshop presentations are attached at appendix 1.

The organisational themes to be self-assessed are set out in the self-assessment tool on the Child Poverty Solutions website. Each theme incorporates 6 questions. The themes are as follows:

1. Leadership and Corporate GovernanceLeaders have developed a clear vision for Child Poverty and positioned it within corporate/partnership

2. Policy DevelopmentThe partnership has a clear approach to delivering outcomes relating to child poverty reduction

3. Performance ManagementThe partnership has a culture of performance management in addressing child poverty

4. Partnership WorkingThere are robust partnership arrangements in place to deliver on Child Poverty

5. Capacity & Resource ManagementAppropriate resources have been consistently matched with Child poverty priorities

2

Methodology

1. Participants were grouped into 5 separate teams 2. Each team started at one of 5 tables. Each table was dedicated to a single

theme with a facilitator who stayed at the table for the duration of the exercise.

3. Facilitators were as follows:

Policy Development (Sharn Annette) Leadership and Corporate Governance (Kate Witcomb) Performance Management (Phil Diamond) Partnership Working (Maria Allen) Capacity and Resource Management (Andrew Parker)

2. Each table was provided with a copy of the self assessment questions, set out in a pre prepared matrix, from the relevant theme. Group participants were invited to discuss and record examples of strengths and areas for improvement under each of the 6 questions and agree a final score between 1 and 6 for CYPP performance under each question.

Score key

1 = No action taken yet2 = Intending to develop3 = Starting to develop4 = Developing5 = Developing and embedding6 = Achieving

3. On completion of the task the group moved onto the next table and set of 6 different questions under another of the 5 themes. The facilitator explained the previous group’s comments and participants we invited to make additional comments. Comments could be added but not deleted. This process continued until all 5 themes had been visited by all 5 groups.

4. Once back at their original table the group’s task was to:

review the strengths and weaknesses, agree a final score and identify a key action point for the partnership with a what, how and who

(there should be six action points per theme).

5. A spokesperson gave feedback on the scores and action points.

3

What Next?

The report will be considered by Blaenau Gwent Children & Young People’s partnership as part of Children & Young People’s Plan development.

4

Self Assessment Bulls-eye

The self assessment bulls-eye uses the final scores agreed by each group to plot the CYPP’s status with regard to it’s organisational ability to act on child poverty. It shows how much progress has been made under each of the themes and which areas are most in need of organisational development.

The bulls-eye is an easy reference tool that can also be used to plot organisational progress over time. Use this report as a baseline and after a period of action, say 6 months to a year, simply revisit the questions under each of the 5 themes and honestly score your organisations position. Visit www.childpovertysolutions.org.uk and use the self assessment on line tool to input your new scores and compare the resulting bulls-eye to this baseline.

5

http://www.childpovertysolutions.org.uk/

Action Points Summary

Action Points - Leadership and Corporate Governance

Question What How Who1 Child poverty on all agendas

as a standard item. Awareness raising, bite size for all agencies. From top filtered down to all levels – briefing notes. What do you do? How does it impact on CP? How does CP impact on you?

Low cost or outcomes funding/ save the children?

Every Chair of every meeting promoting the agenda item. Voluntary sector network.

2 All workers have child poverty included in their inductions. All managers to be expected to demonstrate their impact on child poverty. Training to all workers on CP, same as process for Child Protection.

3 Objectives to be clearly defined. BGCBC to define what child poverty is. Good practice. Community strategy needs to reflect child poverty. But in at all levels.

4 External scrutiny – save the children. Communication. Reference in all documents and strategies. Monthly meeting sheet.

5 Elected member and representatives in organisations to champion child poverty – full training. Collective reporting on child poverty – coordinated approach. Pro-active not reactive.

6 All of the above needs to be embedded for this to take place.

6

Action Points – Policy Development

Question What How Who1 Mainstreaming Child

Poverty into wider poverty agenda and community strategy

Overarching, well understand agreement linking child poverty to Community Strategy. In the 1st instance a separate action plan.

LSB, key partnerships (CYPP) but ensure that ALL partners know the partnership arrangements and know how they can engage regardless of their legal duty.

2 Consolidate and strengthen Needs Assessment

Get a better feel for child poverty in Blaenau Gwent (below a LA level)

As above

3 Take best practice and get into ‘other groups’

Recognise Gaps

Use evaluation techniques

NEETS, 11 to 25, Vulnerable Adults etc

Consistent approaches across partners

4 Get intention and direction understood by staff and citizens

Communicate Community Strategy

Show links to Child Poverty/Poverty agenda

All Partners

5 Ensure a consistent, understandable approach to monitoring.

Mutli-agency approach to scrutinising poverty.

Use flag system to linking thematic agenda to poverty,

All Partners

6 Making sure people know their entitlement.

Signposting project initiatives, advice and guidance to individual.

Ensure understanding at operational level for them to take ownership.

All Partners

Action Points – Performance Management

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Question What How Who1 Increase awareness and

inclusion of all services in relation to C/P objectives and targets.

Better mechanism for communication and integration of all key services.Signposting.

Public, voluntary statutory.

2 More measures against WAG guidance. More local indicators. Ensure all Partnership agencies are acknowledged in contributing to C/P objectives.

Wide sharing of data and research projects.

3 Better communication. One measurement mechanism. Realise what partners can bring to the table and what is out there.

Everyone giving real communication to C/P agenda. Introduction of simple measurement mechanisms.

4 Influence operational structures and resources. (Funding streams) = Time, action, outcomes.

Awareness of what is working (best practice) Recognition of good working practices. Use of most appropriate organisations with local knowledge.

5 Member’s C/P training. Bottom up approach. Commitment from all levels.

Commitment from senior management and members to attend C/P training/workshops

6 Consistency from Core Aim groups. Sharing best practice.

Celebrate success more vigorously. Communication.

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Action Points – Partnership Working

Question What How Who1 Greater awareness of ALL

staff of what child poverty is and how their work/service links to the broader strategy/agenda

Breakfast meetings – short focussed updates. Lunchtime seminar (monitor attendance /representation) Reduced number of priorities. Existing networks/communication

LSB/Partnership All partner contribution.

2 Highlight expectations of their roles and responsibilities in regard to child poverty. To recognise/ identify impact of services on each other.

See above.‘Workshops’. Service Buddy.LSB Audit – contribution of partners to child poverty.

Partnership – All partners.

3 Shared vision promoted by LSB.

LSB audit.Evidencing contributions.Celebrate success/ achievements.See report on progress.

LSB

4 Greater joint commissioning.Greater understanding of funding opportunities.

Setting up a joint commissioning group under LSB.Share information.

LSBEuropean OfficerBorough/GAVO/EVAD

5 Appoint child poverty champions.

Identify champion (borough/partnership)Including young person with experience of poverty/disadvantage

Youth Service, Participation Officer

6 Increase level and effectiveness of joint commissioning/planning/SLA/ value for money.

Use existing networks/reporting mechanisms.

Partnership, Joint commissioning group.This group instead of Health Wellbeing Framework.

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Action Points – Capacity Resource ManagementQuestion What How Who1 Develop a Universal System

(Aim) but need to identify at what level in which organisations we can improve and adapt to develop this tool.

Identify at what level and who. Draft a Universal system. Consultation. Buy in from top level (not just in Blaenau Gwent as a lot of is Pan Gwent, 5 local authorities involved)

Grant recipient bodies GAVO, COOP, EVAD.

2 Make Councillors accountable to the Child Poverty Priorities.

Training compulsory.

3 Build into CYP a joint commissioning and procuring guidelines/ good practice.

4 Establish an office with expertise in CP leading on CP who is coordinating funding bids and priorities.

5 Common assessment framework. Common local indicators that are used across services to identify outcomes against CP priorities.

This will have resource implications. Need cohesion on auditing. Otherwise no money for doing anything else.

6 CYP to identify priorities, budgets to be applied according to priorities. Give CYP an understanding of costs.

Tell CYP what we are doing and why (how there views are being held). Understanding of what things costs. Training and awareness. Getting perspective from Vulnerable group.

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Workshop Results1. Leadership and Corporate Governance

Leaders have developed a clear vision for Child Poverty and positioned it within corporate/partnership

Theme Score 2

There is a level of awareness and understanding of child poverty and its impact on services for children and young people

Score between 1-6 End Score 3 (3.2)

Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5L1 Established

partnership – with a high level of awareness and understanding e.g. knowledgeable Stan

Board members / volunteers needs – awareness raised

Need to identify localised pockets of deprivation.

Training kept up to date.

2 3 4 3 4

Members and top managers regard child poverty as a cross cutting issue and have advocated the contribution their agency has to addressing child poverty and motivated others to engage in reducing child poverty


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement

Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5

L2 Partnerships working with PCSO’s, RCT Housing Association, police, PACT Meetings

More volunteers & partners needed / young people.

Work with SLA’s schools / health

3 3 3 3 3

There is a clear vision and objectives for addressing child poverty


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5L3 Good co-ordinator in

post. Important – strong staffing -Financial Induction work NB with youths

Vision / objectives need to be clearly identified

Partner organisations need some vision to tackle some objectives

2 2 3 3 2

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Leaders have actively participated within the corporate management arrangements which has resulted in better understanding of child poverty and cross cutting agendas and influencing corporate decision-making


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5L4 What are corporate

management objectives? – Not sure we understand what the management structure is beyond our immediate partnership

1 1 1 1 1

Leaders welcome and can demonstrate how internal scrutiny and external challenge has assisted in continuous improvement of the child poverty agenda

Score between 1-6 End Score 2

Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5L5 Having a

supportive LA councillor

Develop child poverty agenda,

Monitoring and Evaluation system to track improvement.

2 3 3 2 4

Leaders have created a culture of collaboration, innovation and cross departmental planning and working to address child poverty




L6 Some good, positive partnerships in place

School\health \housing\church\ Adult education\ refugee council

Need to develop joint working with existing and new partners.

2 2 2 2 4

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Action Points - Leadership and Corporate Governance

Question What How Who1 Training for board members and

volunteers to raise awarenessTraining officer develops a training programme.

Training officer

2 Involve more young peopleInvolve health services

Participation training with youth service.Engagement/consultation event to raise awareness and give infoHealth to be part of partnership board

Youth service

Youth service / Partnership BoardComm & coordinator

3 Visual objectives needs to be clearly communicated to the board

Presentation to the board – include staff

Training Officer

4 Better understanding of management structure for all staff / board / volunteers

Presentation / handouts Chair of partnership board

5 To set up a monitoring and evaluation system to track improvements

Learn from another organisation / partner to get system in place

Coordinator to liaise / research

6 Need to develop joined up working with existing and new partners.

Involving more of the associations e.g. schools / Health in partnership Board

Coordinator, Chair – anyone linked to health.

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2. Policy DevelopmentThe partnership has a clear approach to delivering outcomes relating to child poverty reduction

Theme Score 3

The organisation has clear policies and strategies for the reduction of child poverty


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Po1 All staff aware of

updated policies Agree Yes staff well

informed full time.

Continual Training / workshops

Training-workshops-7 core aims.

Workshop for part times workers / volunteers. Bring you to speed.

6 5 5 5 5

Policies, strategies and business plans have been developed utilising the best available evidence from a range of sources


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Po2 Youth forum in

place Lounge – youth

group / encouraged to attend P/BD

Access to a wide range of youth provisions

Credit Union Facilities

Encourage more young people to join/engage

Develop young people to join, be active young people – Have their say

Multiple choice surveys – To identify priorities.

4 4 4 4 4

Under represented or priority groups have been effectively included in the service planning process


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Po3 Actively work with

community / police / health / schools / adult education.

Intergenerational activities (share skills, gardening)

Multi agency working - strong target wide audience.

Encourage / Develop / Increase membership of local tenants/Resident groups (P.Board)

Continue to develop individuals capacity building / confidence to show different boards / Have LA voice

Develop – 1 person from different groups to show BD / Youth forum.

4 4 4 4 4

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Child poverty is reflected within community planning arrangements and there is a clear line of sight between the Community Plan and Corporate priorities, service objectives and individual objectives


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Po4 Established areas

of child poverty in community, working towards solutions to tackle this.

Defined areas if poverty

Continual development between children / families / providers

More joined up working/Right Partners represented.

4 4 4 4 4

A mechanism to monitor progress on implementing the strategy is in place and there is widespread staff ownership of vision, mission and values




Po5 Regular Evaluation – “Smart” with staff/partners/volunteers/case studies/record info/ digital

Better means of evaluation / effectiveness. Staff – Training (monitoring evaluation, different methods)

Training to capture outcomes.

Measure soft outcomes.

4 5 5 5 5

The organisation has regularly engaged with the most under-represented groups and improved services to them as a result


Question

Strengths Areas for Improvement

Grp1

Grp2

Grp3

Grp4

Grp5

Po6 Aware of different groups/people/backgrounds/ethnic/disabled/aware of different needs / give out literature and talk to them.

Transport Small Provisions available

i.e. dance/disabled fun bus

Needs better understanding of their needs. More cultural events to bring people together

Goal – Get representatives to sit on P/BD

Language Barrier, more English classes / Basic skills /

3 2 3 2 2

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mentors for young people and adults.

Action Points – Policy Development

Question What How Who1 Training Programme IPPDP for Staff / Volunteers Training /

Development Officer / Coordinator

2 Young People take on an active role / BD / Community decision making

Training – confidence / Personal Development

Youth / Community Development workers.

3 Increase Membership of tenants / Residents / BD / Partnership BD

Engagement

Social Events / Flyers / word and mouth / visit local groups / school gates

Community Development Team & Communities First Partnership.

4 More continued involvement from partners / community

EngagementNetworkingConsultationFlying Start schools, LA, Community Health visitors.

Training Providers / Staff

5 Use ObservatoryTrainingMeasuring Outcomes and different methodsFilm, Digital Stories

Evaluation / community / Feedback / questionnaires wishing tree / Bus consultation streets (TORSO)

Training Providers Staff

6 Better Understanding of cultural needs

Diversity Training / Cultural Events

Training Provider / CIST Partnership

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3. Performance ManagementThe partnership has a culture of performance management in addressing child poverty

Theme Score 3

Child Poverty objectives and targets have been set and fully embedded into the performance management arrangements

End Score 3

Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Per1 We have a

workplan Child Poverty

clearly identified Experience

Make all members aware

Resourcing risks, meeting targets

Clarity of target, objective, etc

Document continual evaluation / improvements.

4 4 4 4 5

Indicators for child poverty objectives and targets are appropriate, broad ranging and sufficient to enable the organisation to assess its progress against its objectives


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Per2 Some members

have more knowledge than others and can pass this on

Training for new and existing members/volunteers with no little knowledge or to have as a refresher course

2 2 3 4 3

Adequate and compatible systems are in place across all council services and partner organisations, for generating the information needed to measure performance on shared outcomes and priorities


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Per3 Good relationships

between partnerships and people we know (some people not at all)

Workshop for partnerships to get to know me and others.

Develop a contacts list / list of services available – increase number of members of partnerships members who have access to this info.

4 4 4 4 4

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Internal and external partners have utilised the child poverty performance information to improve services and delivery in order to achieve agreed outcomes


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Per4 Regular review and

discuss about what will be done

More people involved

Finalise Inclusion event

5 5 5 5 5

Members have actively helped drive improvements. There are clearly defined, effective and complementary roles in the performance management system for the executive, scrutiny and ward councillors


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Per6 Elected members

involved Strong support

Continue monitoring Wider range of

members, more youth.

6 6 5 5 5

The organisation has dealt with poor performance effectively and recognised and celebrated good performance


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Per6 Won awards for

good performance Green champion

award

Continuing improving on performance.

Young peoples contribution

Promote to the media and wider community

Share good practice.

6 6 6 6 6

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Action Points – Performance Management

Question What How Who1 Make members aware that

there’s an evaluation document

Training / workshops. Letters to members and during meetings. Publish online / media.

Coordinator

2 Training Offer Training to members Training Officers

3 Provide a list of contacts Leaflet drop (Newsletter) / Publish online / Word of mouth

Community development officer / admin

4 Regular Reviews Hold monthly meetings to look at performance

All parties involved.

5 Keep elected members up to date

Training up to date Training Officers

6 Annual recognition and achievements

Hold community ceremony to show what partnership has achieved / promote partnerships.

All Partnerships.

4. Partnership WorkingThere are robust partnership arrangements in place to deliver on Child Poverty

Theme Score 3

People throughout the organisation fully understand and are aware of how partnerships help reduce child poverty.


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Pa1 Common interest.

Understand people working together has a bigger impact

Child poverty focussed parts of the organiser think they know what they are doing.

Training for child poverty.

Partnership working

Clear communication interest in subject matter sharing good practice.

Identifying new partners

Poor relationships between adults and young people.

Advanced training identification of specific needs.

Some parts adult focussed, some y.p focussed – not both.

3 4 4 4 4

People working in partnerships are clear and confident Score between 1-6

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about their role and responsibilities to the partnership and the organisation and have been empowered to take decisions on behalf of the organisation.

End Score 4 (3.9)

Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1

Grp2

Grp3

Grp4

Grp5

Pa2 People who care, pushy people i.e. council, funders etc. Advocate

Willing volunteer’s action plan everyone works to deliver it.

People are empowered to get involved. Support workers.

Better direction Better

understanding of roles not moving goal posts.

Getting more people interested

Redefining boundaries

2 5 5 4 5

The partnership have a shared vision and understanding of child poverty within the locality and recognise its cross cutting nature


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Pa3 Already funded

within C.F area Financial inclusion

– jointly funded projects

Work together with different agencies

4 4 6 5 5

Partners pool resources to maximises benefit through informal co-ordination, jointly funded projects and posts and through long term mainstream budget pooling at a strategic level.


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Pa4 Shared resources,

working together. Identified working

in partnership. Working with

others, i.e. police, YOT etc

Involved more agencies, sub groups for different areas of groups

4 4 6 5 4

Key members of the partnership champion child poverty issues and support partners organisations in understanding the relevance of Child Poverty to their priorities and how they can contribute to multi-agency delivery


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Pa5 Willing Members

(active members) willing to participate, volunteers

Try to encourage agencies / members to get involved and push child poverty agenda. Better

3 4 6 3 4

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training / understanding

4The implications and impact on partnership arrangements of policy and budget decisions have always been taken into account within the annual budget and service planning process


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Pa6 We put in lots if

bids, good communication. By using continual observations, be able to assess priorities.

Don’t get very many better ways of working

More networking

4 4 5 5 5

Action Points – Partnership Working

Question What How Who1 Communicate Training to improve

understandingSenior Development Officer

2 Better direction of roles and responsibilities

Workshops and feedback All partners involved.

3 Multi agency support Include wider range of agencies to meet the needs of community

Coordinator

4 Sharing resources and knowledge

Agencies pooling together “open and honest” approach to budgets / resources / staff talents

All Partners’ involved

5 All working to child poverty agenda

Child Poverty Sub-group to get the agenda working in practice

Coordinator

6 More selective on bids Focus on bids that are relevant and meet needs of society e.g. youth, community

All staff involved in funding bids – educate other staff on funding applications.

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5. Capacity & Resource ManagementAppropriate resources have been consistently matched with Child poverty priorities

Theme Score 2

There is a systematic approach to risk management Score between 1-6 End Score 1

Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Cap1 At least one ember

of staff would be trained.

Some knowledge good training programme

What is risk management?

Schedule and training records

Need more time and resources

1 member of staff would have to have knowledge of any project.

3 2 3 4 3

Members are fully aware and understand the costs of child poverty and its placing in the priority setting processes of the council and partnerships




Cap2 Good councillor high priority.

Good relationships Communication

More partnership working

Volunteers more aware of broad impact of child poverty.

Distribution of funds.

Training needed for other members

Better understanding between partnerships.

Be aware of H&S

4 3 3 4 3

The organisation has a good track record of strategically commissioning and procuring goods and services to support the child poverty agenda


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Cap3 Source locally

Joint commissioning arrangements

Provide support to local businesses to obtain sustainability.

More research into requirements

5 5 5 5 5

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The potential leverage and external funding and investment in child poverty initiatives has been recognised and exploited


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Cap4 Good knowledge of

funding sources Good link with

Interlink, association of volunteers

Dedicated member of staff (statician)

Keep up to date via internet

Be aware of current climate and have flexibility to change

Continual training.

6 6 6 5 5

The organisation can demonstrate the impact of attracting external funding and other resources to achieve its aims and objectives in relation to child poverty


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Cap5 Sourced playgroup

Sourced Homework club

Holiday play schemes

Bookclub

Put measures in place to ensure groups are sustainable e.g. training, constitution

Need training on measuring impact.

5 5 2 5 2

The organisation can demonstrate the involvement of Children and Young people in budget planning processes


Question Strengths Areas for Improvement Grp1 Grp2 Grp3 Grp4 Grp5Cap6 Children and young

people sub group Children involved in

their personal budgets – joined credit union in schools.

Be aware of changes in funding sources

Be aware of changes in local government

Work in partnership with schools and other partnerships to develop knowledge.

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Action Points – Capacity Resource ManagementQuestion What How Who1 Risk Management Training Put on training course External

Training Provider

2 Raise awareness Source Training / workshops

External training provider

3 Identify local goods and services

In house audit of local business

Research Officer

4 Keep up to date with funding opportunities

Regular searches for funding opportunities

Local C.V.C (County Voluntary Councils)

5 Set up a sub group/focus group.

Invite interested parties Development worker

6 Set up a young people’s forum

Invoice local youth provisions schools etc.

Youth worker / Development worker.

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Workshop evaluation23 English language evaluation form were collected representatives of the following sectors

Communities First 2Local Authority 9Health 1Youth Service 1Voluntary 9Other Statutory 1

Total 23

Question 1. Overall did the seminar/event meet your needs?

Yes 18No 0Partly 4No answer 1

Total 23

Question 2. What I found most useful about the seminar was…

This question drew out many interesting qualitative responses. In order to keep the data meaningful, responses have been retained verbatim and grouped into 4 broad themes rather than categorized and counted.

Networking Getting feedback from other agencies how child poverty links with them and how

they address it. Range of views from all sectors (not just Local Authority) Getting people together & focusing ideas/knowledge and priorities Interacting with other agencies positively Sharing ideas and frustrations, meeting other colleagues who have similar views. collaboration - a very emotive subject of Child Poverty Also beneficial to discuss with other professionals future plans and developments

aimed for. Consistent partnership working Sharing information with various agencies within the borough Meeting/discussing issues with partners

The event The whole event - the tool and the facilitators Found whole process very useful - need to put this into practice and look at

integrating through he tight management of the process worked very well Comfortable environment to challenge and raise points

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Very clear process Good range of representation Structure of the day was very good and excellent pace. Very well controlled!

Poverty planning The way that it raised awareness of Child Poverty agenda & put it in the context of

my own service area Developed good ideas relating to child poverty Good timing for the development & production of needs assessment & HSG&WB

strategy/ CYP Plan Hopefully influencing the Poverty Agenda Identifying solutions and the way forward in prioritising Child Poverty at strategic

and operational levels. Collective actions to take forward Helpful to look at issue and consider broad CP agenda Information and evidence from today can be included.

Local context and influencing The opportunity to discuss and evaluate the current position in Blaenau Gwent

regarding the Child Poverty situation. Providing an image of where Blaenau Gwent is at, where it needs to go and how

we can measure the distance travelled (and what we need to develop in order to do so)

Getting more of an idea of baseline for Blaenau Gwent - hearing other organisation views

The information could influence at strategic level to make changes at local level service

Clarification of where different organisations/services currently are in addressing child poverty

Useful to have a multi-agency workshop - and to hear other's perspectives on how their agency is working with Child Poverty issues etc..

An increased awareness of work underway or in place Other agencies thoughts and ideas on where they saw their organisations current

views on Child Poverty Interesting discussions & topic areas

Question 3. What I found least useful about the seminar was…

11 of the 23 participants reported that there was nothing they wished to comment on. Of the rest, as previously, responses have been grouped into relevant themes.

Event timing Time limitation Final sum up needed a bit more time to fully consider the what, how & who as

these areas are essential for us to consider the priorities for the Child Poverty agenda

Timing was slightly rushed but I understand why it was done like this The speed - the lack of time on each

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A few more breaks would have been welcomed. Duration of discussions, very rushed and not enough time. Particularly the session

on Key Actions While it did feel somewhat rushed at times and many further conversations could

have been developed, the time limit did ensure that everyone focused on the subject and the day was not 'dragged out'

Timescales very tight - felt rushed Maybe more time per workshop Time limitations on tasks during workshops were tight however enabled sharp

focus on the question at hand

Partnership working I felt that it was sometimes difficult to score based on the Partnership rather than

individual agencies. Difficulties with managing a pan Gwent Service which appears to oppose a

focused Blaenau Gwent perspective Barriers persist which are possibly not able to be changed, but seem need to be

achieved in order to maximise real partnership working and best outcomes for the children and young people of Blaenau Gwent.

Other Could not hear all who spoke

Question 4. What further information, training or support would you find helpful in developing work on the topic?

Child poverty context Local Information On what Elected Members understanding is & how they are taking the agenda

forward Anything regarding Child Poverty - info/training More basic informative information

Other training / support Courses for front line staff with information on how they can help eradicate child

poverty in their job role. Training Support for Elected Members Further workshops/opportunities to work with partners on moving forward. Updates/progress reports Child Poverty targets/identification in Blaenau Gwent and Wales - workshop style?

Communication / Feedback Regular Child Poverty updates - groups feeding down Regular meetings to keep on track of today A frequent update on progress towards key priorities commented on today at

working groups. Feedback from today Regular stakeholder meetings – feedback

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Highlight and communicate 3-5 high level drivers that we need to address. To disseminate the information to operational staff and to influence senior

management with a bottom up approach Communication/CP networks developed and maintained Co-ordination/involvement of all services to include all (including voluntary orgs)

for development Standard item on Child Poverty in Blaenau Gwent issue Regular informal feedback on what progress is being made via online newsletter

@ no cost. To be part of any new moves/work in developing strategy. Continued engagement locally on progress, actions. General support of latest news I think this will be highlighted in report, need to develop a communication

framework on this topic and join all provision up

Other Good practice - what is working well in other areas On going support/assessment from an external perspective. How to relate this to my role in Adult-Education How LGS work links into WAG work Raising aspirations of families where they live in a culture where unemployed

families are financially better off then low income families Investment in developing baseline date!!

Question 5. Are you interested in further training on this topic?

17 of the 23 respondents indicated Yes, 3 abstained. The remaining comments are below.

Greater awareness of local child poverty issues at operational levels would always be beneficial - training for operational staff within teams.

Nothing specific in mind at the moment - but happy to attend anything that would be useful

Simple, sharp focused launch time, early morning updates on progress being made. This could be in the form of an online video diary of service users etc…

Question 6. Have you any comments about the venue/refreshments or administration and organisation of the seminar/event?

12 of the 23 respondents were entirely satisfied with the venue, 6 respondents abstained. The remaining comments are below.

Would have liked a copy of the presentation which could have facilitated my ability to share the information today.

Well organized and very useful event Access to toilets within the building is difficult due to some stairs requiring swipe

cards etc.. Not ideal for a large group activity More toilets

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Needed more time especially in relation to last session - Action Planning.

Question 7. Additional comments.

9 respondents abstained.

Positives Thank you for supporting us in this area of work I came in on my day off for this and am so glad I did. An excellent event which has created a huge amount of momentum to take

forward the actions to address Child Poverty Thanks as long as it goes somewhere, not just another workshop! Very good day Good seminar - need to put what we have started into practice and ensure

leadership and members take ownership and be committed to this strategy. Enjoyed the day and meeting other people/organisations.

Looking forward to an active poverty reduction agenda and inter-org working to the common target - 'The Children of Blaenau Gwent'

Very interesting An excellent morning, thank you Good day!

Follow up

Key issue raised, but not sure if recorded clearly anywhere was about the issue of reviewing the membership of the Anti - Poverty Group & CYPP to ensure that all partners are fully represented & included to ensure effective sign-up.

Would be interested in becoming part of any specific initiative role.Would like to use this information to be able to have a direct influence on the development of the Public Health Nursing core service and agenda.

Hope there will be useful/mutually beneficial outcomes from the event in terms of taking our work forward - and in making a difference to the lives of children, young people and families.

To be informed of funding priorities and identification of… To ensure projects continue to exist who are at the front of the Child Poverty agenda - this will continue to enthuse practitioner and services long term

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Action Points Make more time for feedback but balance it with the time needed for groups to

respond to the questions. Make the presentations available on line before the workshops Include mechanisms for feedback on line through the website in the presentations

and remind participants if the facility at the end of the session.

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List of Participants

Name OrganisationAndrew ParkerRhian Padfield, Communities FirstJayne Nicholas Communities First

Ceri Bird EYDCPWendy Frayne Flying StartKate Witcomb CYPPSharn Annett CYPPPhil Diamond CYPPAlison Prowle CYPP

Will Beer NPWGreg Paulsen Communities First

Michelle Church Social ServicesCarl Bainton EVADNicola Dobbs AFCFfion Morgan EVADRon Boden YOS

Julie Russell Coleg GwentLyn Francis, CPCKC

Helen Madden Communities FirstLeila Wyburn AFCLinzi Williams BGDASRachel Elston Communities FirstJoanne Sims Youth ServicesAlison Davies CAFCASS CymruLynn Phillips Leisure Services

Steven Aherne Communities FirstMaria AllenMel Luxton Communities First

Claire Madden Youth ServicesRichard Andrews Barnardo’s

Anne Smith Aneurin Bevan HBSue Ashcroft Job Centre Plus

Joanne Bartlett Communities FirstKeith Howells SNAP

Anthony Hughes Youth ServicesCarol Madgwick Communities First

Kelly Butler CYPPKaren BennettRachel Hicks FISLisa Adams EWO Service

Hannah Paul School GatesSarah Perry CAB

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Documents

Communities First Cwmtopia Partnership Child Poverty Self-assessment Report