As already mentioned Bradford has been commended nationally for effective partnership working. Here are a few Examples of good practice in multi agency, multi disciplinary working. Further examples can be seen within the full plan. These are taken from the plan in 2007. Further review will take place in 2008 and new examples will be included.
A new pupil referral unit for pupils prevented by severe anxiety from attending school, developed in partnership between Education Bradford and Healthy Minds. The unit has tripled the amount of education received by pupils and can demonstrate significant success across all outcomes. Feedback from parents and young people has been extremely positive. Ofsted reported significant progress in the first year, providing a good education and that the teamwork of the agencies involved is a model of good practice.
This Group commissions a range of interventions in order to respond to substance misuse at various stages of a young person's life. A website, B-mix, provides practical and relevant information to young people, parents and carers and to those who work with them. A screening tool has been developed to assist in screening and referring young people to substance misuse services. Drug awareness and educations sessions are provided in schools and other venues such as children's residential homes, youth clubs, in both group and one to one contexts. The needs of children and young people affected by the substance misusing behaviour of parents and carers are addressed by the Supakids Service and by the Bridge Young Carers Project.
Three specialist services address substance related needs of vulnerable young people:
These services work together with fast tracking referral arrangements and established joint working practices, ensuring that provision is both accessible and appropriate to the needs of young people. The staff teams meet together on a regular basis. The tri partite nature of the service provision has paid dividends in tailoring care plans to suit needs.
A specific Alcohol Worker has been appointed in recognition of the fact that alcohol and cannabis are the most widely used substances by young people.
The Shared Care Scheme, which received a Social Care award from the Department of Health in 2005, provides family based short break care for children and young people with disabilities. Short breaks for children who use wheelchairs have been achieved through a variety of partnerships, including Brunel Housing, People and Places, Manningham Housing Association, the Cornerstone Project and DANICARE (a private company).
Occupational therapists are involved in initial planning. Training for local authority approved carers in invasive medical techniques, such as gastrostomy, to enable them to provide care for children with complex health needs, is provided under a protocol by Bradford and Airedale Teaching Hospital. This includes initial training and assessment and training up dates. This has now been expanded to mainstream fostering.
Shared Care offers family placements to more children on the autistic spectrum than most other local authorities. The National Autistic Society, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, special schools and the Shared Care network have been involved in training and support. This includes joint training for parents and their link carers. Links with the Care Trust ensure smooth transition arrangements from child to adult services.
