Integrated Governance through Children's Trust arrangements and joint planning and development of services

Clear decision-making arrangements, terms of reference and a memorandum of understanding are in place for the Children's Trust. The Children's Trust arrangements are built on strong partnerships, where partners respect each other and share a joint vision and shared priorities, outlined in the Children and Young People's Plan and Local Area Agreement.

Children's Trust Board

With the following functions:

• Improve outcomes for children, young people and families through the development and implementation of the Children and Young People's Plan and the Local Area Agreement based on the National Indicator Set and Vital Signs and on a thorough analysis of need and the performance of services;
• Develop commissioning strategies and plans to improve outcomes for all children and young people and ensure the contribution of all agencies to achieving agreed outcomes;
• To charge the Children's Joint Commissioning Board (CJCB) in developing commissioning activities around a range of 'service/delivery gaps' where applicable;
• To endorse key early interventions and practices/processes, in order to deliver services to children and young people within our communities by all partners;
• Give policy advice to the Council in relation to Children's Services and to be accountable to Swindon Local Area Agreement Partnership Board on behalf of all partners;
• To ensure that appropriate challenge is embedded within the Swindon Children's Trust Board concerning (by exception), the performance of high level targets and indicators, such as the C&YP Plan and the LAA priorities;
• To charge the Children's Trust Performance Review Group to provide a more detailed focus of the performance of a range of service areas, with any areas of continual and / or potential high level concern needing to be referred to the Swindon Children's Trust Board;To endorse and embed a Children's Workforce Strategy that relates to all partners and service areas;
• Ensure participation by children, young people, parents and carers to improve services and inform priorities;
• Receive reports from the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB);

The Swindon Children's Trust Board will also be informed by a number of stakeholder groups of children and young people (Youth Forum), parents and carers.

Children's Joint Commissioning Board

• The Children’s Joint Commissioning Board (CJCB) is responsible for the delivery of the National Health Services Act 2006 Section 75 Agreements and the implementation of commissioning strategies to improve outcomes for children and young people;
• The Board brings together elected Members and executive and non-executive members of Swindon Primary Care Trust, the voluntary sector and Wiltshire Constabulary;
• The development of pooled budgets will be taken forward by the Children’s Joint Commissioning Board.

The Children’s Joint Commissioning Board will be supporting the Swindon Children's Trust Board in the development of appropriate joint commissioning activities, which support the drive towards a more integrated children’s service, with early intervention seen as a key driver for change.

Outcome Groups Reporting to Children’s Trust Commissioning Group

We have established four outcome groups reporting to the Children’s Trust Commissioning Group.This covers the following subjects:

• Child Health Commissioning;
• Stay Safe;
• Enjoy & Achieve and Achieve Economic Well-Being;
• Make a Positive Contribution.

You can view the Terms of Reference below, which will view as a downloadable PDF file:

Draft Terms of Reference for Children’s Trust Planning Arrangements 27/04/2007 (45 KB)

Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB)

The Local Safeguarding Children Board is independent of the Children’s Trust Executive Management Group and will take reports on policy and practice issues to the Children’s Trust Executive Management Group or to Swindon Borough Council. The role of the Local Safeguarding Children Board is to:

• Co-ordinate local work to safeguard and promote the welfare of children;
• Ensure the effectiveness of local services;
• Holds everyone working with children, young people and families to account for safeguarding and scrutinises the work of the Director of Children Services and lead member for Children.

Swindon Cabinet and PCT Board Wider Structure

The link below takes you to a diagram showing the wider group hierarchy and their links to each other and to the Swindon Cabinet and PCT Board. This will show as a downloadable PDF dowcument:

Wider Structure Diagram (15 KB)

Further Information

For further information about any of these groups, please contact:

Director Strategy & Commissioning
Email: swald@swindon.gov.uk

Planning, Development & Commissioning Manager
Email: lmcdermott@swindon.gov.uk