Welcome to the first newsletter for the Early Intervention Hubs Development Project.

Who is this newsletter for?

This monthly newsletter is for professionals who work with children and young people and for families themselves, to help us keep everybody up to date with the progress towards the development and start up of the hubs in Oxfordshire.

What is the project about?

This Early Intervention Hubs Development Project is working to provide a single integrated early intervention service to children, young people and families facing multiple problems. The service will be delivered from seven base 'hubs' providing outreach support across Oxfordshire.

We are committed to trying to prevent problems from worsening or reaching crisis point.

Progress update

Staff in the seven task and finish groups are working hard to get the hubs ready for 1 September 2011.

Buildings and ICT systems - Seven hub sites are being developed in readiness for offering services. The Witney hub will not be ready until January 12 so temporary accommodation arrangements are being investigated. A site for the second Oxford hub is being visited to confirm if it will be suitable for the delivery of hub services and the detail is likely to be announced very shortly.

Referral process - We are working with all partners and agencies to develop a single request for service system and to ensure processes make it easier to access services quickly.

Induction training - Staff are planning the induction programme for hub workers who will come with a wide range of expertise, experience and professional backgrounds. We want staff to be able to consistently offer high quality services. There will be a hub handbook to assist the hub workforce.

Hub websites - A website is being developed with sections for each hub to ensure that families and professionals are able to access the information they require about their local hub.

Support to existing service users - Teams currently working with vulnerable children, young people and their families are reviewing current engagement and commitment to families. They are making plans to ensure that services continue as required over the coming months during the transitional period.

Transition and retention of volunteers - We are planning how to ensure that volunteers are retained and supported as services move across to the hubs. We will be appointing a co-ordinator to work with and expand volunteering.

Hub partnerships - A group is shaping the arrangements to make hubs link with existing partnerships and agree areas of coverage.

Data and evaluation - Staff are gathering information and data to create a baseline against which to measure the impact of the hubs and the outcomes for children, young people and their families through the services that are delivered through the hubs.

Budget and finance - Systems are being developed to ensure that hub workers have access to the financial systems and training they require and that hub budgets are sufficient to cover costs.

Hub staffing update

The three early intervention managers working across the hubs are:

• Northern area: Maria Godfrey (including strategic responsibility for children’s centres, parenting and childcare)
• Central area: Tan Lea (including strategic responsibility for youth, engagement and opportunities)
• Southern area: Iain Watson (including strategic responsibility for behaviour, inclusion and attendance)

Appointments to the hub service manager posts are now underway. Recruitment for the other positions will take place over the summer. This forms a key part of the redesign of Children, Education and Family services in Oxfordshire County Council.
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What is the early intervention service?

The new early intervention service will bring together the work of lots of existing services including those that:

• support children and young people at school to prevent attendance difficulties and exclusions
• aim to reduce teenage pregnancy
• support parents
• prevent young people misusing drugs or alcohol
• help young people to get employment, training and further education.
  

What are the hubs for?

The hubs will be a base for professionals, both from within the county council and from partner agencies, to work directly with local children, young people and families. In addition, professionals will continue to work with children, young people and their families within their own home, school or community setting as appropriate. They will also act as venues for youth sessions to be held in the evenings and on weekends

Where will the hubs be?

There will be 7 hubs and 6 satellite sites across the county. Outreach services will operate across the whole county to meet local needs.
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How does this affect children's centres?

Children’s centres are key parts of the service and will work with the hubs to continue to offer families access to the services they need across the county. There are no changes proposed for children’s centres until all of their services have been reviewed over the coming year.

Further information and how to get involved

There are still opportunities to shape the development of the hubs. Details will follow in the next edition of this newsletter.

For further information visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/earlyinterventionhubs