Integrated Children’s Plan 2020 progress
The Highland Council's Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee met Thursday 12 November and received an update on the progress in developing the latest iteration of the Integrated Children’s Service Plan (ICS).
Cllr Linda Munro – Chair of Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Committee said: “Listening to the views and experience of children, young people and their families is the bedrock of creating an effective and relevant Integrated Children’s Services Plan (ICSP). To facilitate engagement Highland Children’s Forum will carry out an independent and extensive consultation with children, young people and families which will inform the ICSP ahead of the final draft coming to Highland Council in April 2021.”
She added: “As elected members of The Highland Council we all have a duty and responsibility to support our communities in Highland, I along with my fellow Members recognise the importance of engaging with all partners, third sector and public and community groups to improve the future prosperity and safety of the children living in Highland. This ambitious and well supported plan demonstrates the exemplary wealth of professionals we have in Highland who are committed to integrating skills, experience and expertise to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families.”
The Integrated Service Plan 2020 (ICS) is significantly different from previous ICS’s, ambitious and with shared vision. The plan is routed and merged key partners in a new way, collaboratively working with the Highland Community Planning Partnership, public agencies, third sector organisations and other key community groups to work collectively with the people of Highland to deliver better outcomes. It also sets clear indicators for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of children’s services in terms of their success in responding to and addressing children’s wellbeing needs.
Assurance was made by Mr Ian Kyle – Head of Integrated Children’s Services that the delay in publishing the report was in line with Scottish Government guidance allowing partnerships to consider the impact of the current Covid-19 pandemic within the plan.
Members from across The Highland Council discussed at length about the importance of a holistic and joined-up approach and that a consistent approach was fundamental to the planning and cohesive delivery of the new plan. The partnership approach and engaging with the people at the heart of the plan is essential.