Agenda and minutes

Councillors L McCarthy and S Sheshabhatter. Co-opted Member Mr B Hall.

To receive declarations of interest from Members.

Councillor W Qais made a declaration of interest, as an employee of the Department for Education.

To answer any questions, if any asked by any resident of the Borough pursuant to Standing Orders.

There were no questions or deputations.

For members of the Scrutiny Boards to consider plans to develop and deliver a Family Hub offer in Solihull by March 2024.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health and the Interim Head of Children’s Public Health introduced and outlined the report, detailing the aims and objectives of the pilot Family Hubs programme, to provide a single-branded multi-agency family support offer from pre-conception to 25 years.

Members raised a number of observations and queries which, in summary, included the following:

·  A Member endorsed the emphasis on engaging with children and young people with additional needs. They queried what support could be provided for parents with additional needs. The Member highlighted, in particular, the support for parents who were neuro diverse, but may not have received a formal diagnosis.

·  The Interim Head of Children’s Public Health responded, outlining the following:

-  They detailed the quality assurance being undertaken to ensure the Family Hubs were accessible for autistic people and people with additional needs.

-  A wide range of experiences were going to be provided for families – including autism friendly environments and quiet hours.

-  All of the Hub buildings would have a minimum specification, which included a sensory room for both children and parents – these rooms were going to be multi-use, whereby they could be calming, as well as stimulating.

-  Peer support groups were also going to be provided, to be available to everyone on basis of need, rather than diagnosis.

-  A specific offer was going to be provided for young people with additional needs, ages 19-25 years – with a focus upon transition to adulthood, preparing for independence and life skills. This would be delivered in partnership with local schools that supported pupils with additional needs.

·  A Member welcomed the locations identified in the report, including the outreach offer in Meriden. They queried how residents in Balsall Common and surrounding areas were going to be made aware of and be able to access this.

·  The Interim Head of Children’s Public Health explained it was recognised there were pockets of need across the Borough – for Balsall Common and Berkswell, officers were actively looking at potential locations for outreach activity, acknowledging, in particular, the issue of social isolation. Family Hub branding throughout would be used, to help raise awareness. Schools would be a vital partner in sharing information on the Hubs, alongside other agencies, including the Health Visiting Service.

·  A Member welcomed how it was proposed for a Full Hub offer to be provided via their Ward. They queried how this information was being communicated, explaining that the users of an existing community hub were concerned they may be impacted.

·  The Interim Head of Children’s Public Health detailed how they were looking to ensure a clear dialogue with all stakeholders on the use of potential sites for the different Hub locations. It was emphasised that a number of the partners delivering existing support would form part of the future Hub offer.

·  A Member queried how it was going to be ensured that the Family Hub offer complemented, rather than replaced, existing services.

·  The Interim Head of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

To summarise key outcomes of the Solihull Suicide Prevention Strategy 2017 – 2021.

To feedback on Solihull’s refreshed Suicide Prevention Strategy 2023 – 2026 prior to sign off and endorsement at the Health and Well-being Board.

The Senior Public Health Specialist presented the report, summarising the key outcomes of the Solihull Suicide Prevention Strategy 2017-2021, as well as outlining the proposed refreshed Suicide Prevention Strategy 2023-2026.

Members raised the following queries:

·  A Member welcomed the report – they particularly welcomed how the Strategy reflected key points previously raised by Councillors. They highlighted how the report referenced reducing the risk of suicide in key high-risk groups. The Councillor sought assurances that all individuals with suicidal ideation would receive the necessary support, irrespective of whether they belonged to a high-risk group.

·  The Senior Public Health Specialist confirmed this was recognised. She detailed how they were looking at the introduction of an orange button scheme, a way of identifying people that had undertaken suicide prevention training and could offer support. Mental Health Navigators were also being employed within Primary Care, to support people with non-clinical needs and ensure escalation, where necessary. The greater data collection outlined in the report should also help inform where to target support.

·  A Member raised how financial instability and significant debt could increase suicide risk. They noted how the Council offered debt advice and support – they queried whether the staff delivering this service had received mental health training.

·  The Senior Public Health Specialist detailed how front-line staff were increasingly supporting members of the public with anxiety and mental health issues and this, in turn, was impacting on their own wellbeing. Public Health had worked with the Organisational Development Team on this, outlining good practice and trauma-informed training. There was also corporate mental health training and support for Council staff.

·  A Councillor highlighted how, nationally, male suicides were significantly higher than females. They also detailed how men who died from suicide were less likely to be known to, or have sought support from, Mental Health services.

·  The Senior Public Health Specialist detailed how there had been focus upon targeting support for higher risk groups, including men. Examples of this included Men’s Sheds, a community initiative for men to meet others and help reduce isolation.

·  A Member highlighted the priority to learn from those who had died by suicide. They queried how there could also be learning from, as well as support for, family and friends of people who had died by suicide.

·  The Senior Public Health Specialist detailed how they had secured funding through the National Suicide Prevention programme for bereavement support. Here, as part of the real-time surveillance system, Public Health would be working with the Police to ensure those bereaved by suicide received the necessary specialist support. This would include help to access counselling, as well as ongoing postvention support.

·  A Member raised the volume of agencies referenced in the report and queried how the multi-agency Steering Group worked together to support delivery of the Strategy.

·  The Senior Public Health Specialist detailed how the Steering Group was developing an action plan for the Strategy – this included setting up task and finish groups for key priorities, to ensure partners supported delivery and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.