Growth and development.pdf

East AyrshireThe pan-Ayrshire mental health strategy is being reviewed, underpinned by a separate butco-ordinated joint strategy for East Ayrshire. The Council and its NHS partners are gradually colocatingsocial work and mental health teams. Links with GPs and local health care co-operativesare strong. A jointly commissioned Community Guides service supports people with mentalhealth problems to get involved in community activities. There is a joint training programme tosupport the implementation of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.East Ayrshire and its health partners are leading the development in Ayrshire of a single sharedassessment tool. Having piloted the tool, the process is being rolled out for older people. It isto be extended to all care groups during 2003-2004. Housing has been involved in thedevelopment process.The three councils are working to improve sensory impairment services. Links with voluntaryorganisations, Visual Impairment Ayrshire and the Ayrshire Mission for the Deaf, have addedvalue to the professional practice delivered by the local authorities. There is an opportunity toenhance guide/communicator services jointly with Deafblind Scotland. The Council is in theprocess of reviewing its future needs assessment procedures for children with sensoryimpairment.The Council is developing the Joint Future agenda at a local level. Its focus is on promoting jointworking rather than changing structures. Social work boundaries have been aligned with GPpractices. Integrated working is well developed and is overseen by the East Ayrshire JointFuture Implementation Group. Elements of the joint resourcing pot have been agreed and listed.3. Performance: Children and FamiliesBalance of care – Looked afterchildren (aged 0-17)1999-2000actual1999-2000per 1,000Quartile2000-2001actual2000-2001per 1,000QuartileAt home 158 5.8 1 142 5.2 1With friends/relatives/other community 8 0.3 4 2 0.1 4With foster carers/prospective adopters 56 2.1 3 72 2.6 2In residential accommodation 27 1.0 3 39 1.4 2Total 249 9.1 2 255 9.3 2Key performance indicators1998-1999actual1998-1999per 1,000Quartile1999-2000actual1999-2000per 1,000QuartileChild protection (CP) referrals 64 2.6 4 40 1.6 4(aged 0-15)Children subject to a CP case 14 0.6 4 16 0.7 4conference (aged 0-15)Children placed on CP register 10 0.4 4 12 0.5 4(aged 0-15)Adoption applications in year 8 0.3 3 9 0.3 2(aged 0-17)Stranger adopter applications 2 0.1 4 5 0.2 2(aged 0-17)The rates of child protection referrals, children subject to a case conference and children placedon the child protection register are all low, compared to other local authorities. Numbers havehowever increased since 2000.65