Public reports pack PDF 3 MB - Blaby District Council

Page 35
In April 2012, a one year pilot between The Bridge, Oadby & Wigston Borough Council and County’s Children and Young Peoples
Services was launched with joint funding from Leicestershire County Council and Oadby & Wigston Borough Council. The service
is delivered from the Connexions office in Wigston.
Since its launch and up to September 2012 just over 20 young people and their families have used the service with a number of
those young people avoiding going into care as a result. A number of young people have been assisted to plan for future
accommodation options. In terms of longer term outcomes, it is very early days and premature to give a full analysis.
From October 2012 office space will no longer be available at the Connexions office in Wigston and alternative accommodation is
being sought.
Protocol Analysis
The protocol, developed in 2010, refers to a service delivery model that simply is not in place for five of the seven Leicestershire
districts. Other concerns identified by members with the protocol are:
• Inadequate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms contained in the protocol (i.e. the Young Persons Accommodation Needs
Group is not set up).
• Dispute resolution mechanisms are not being used. There is no way to challenge the decisions that are made about young
people that Social Services deem ‘ NOT’ to be children in need.
Other specific issues that were identified through the review:
• Failure of Social Services to inform Housing Options of the outcomes of assessments
• Failure to follow statutory guidance on completing assessments
• Difficulties in getting Social Services to confirm the level of help a young person has received.
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