Decision details

Temporary additional staffing to support vulnerable children and young people who step down from social care, in particular into educational settings, many of whom have Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

These 8 posts are to be funded from the COVID-19 pressures funding allocated. Therefore, funding of these 8 posts in part from the Doncaster Opportunity Area funding will free up resources to fund these 2 temporary posts until the 31st January 2022.

A growing number of children and young people are showing signs of social and emotional mental health problems. This issue has been identified nationally and in Doncaster. Locally, this is evidenced through feedback from schools, through our child and adolescent mental health services and in high numbers of children presenting at A&E, having self-harmed or attempted suicide.
The number of families open to early help has reduced steadily over the last two years, in comparison to the number of families open to statutory social care, which has increased. It is recognised that a number of pressures relating to the delivery of the Early Help offer have emerged which has necessitated a review of current processes and procedures. In addition, a number of corporate and partnership priorities have been identified during the COVID pandemic that require dedicated leadership capacity.
The current pandemic has simultaneously increased the strain on families and reduced school capacity to manage early help cases, in particular step-downs from social care. This places a risk in the system for vulnerable children and young people, especially any not in an educational setting. These often end up in a re-referral into Social Care, placing greater pressure on an already stretched front door. Therefore, adding in extra Early Help Officers means that educational settings can be better supported and the officers can more effectively catch the step-downs and ensure support is provided.
To provide support for the above, this ODR seeks to establish the following posts:
• 2 FTE Early Help Family Lead Practitioners (Grade 7) appointment for 12 months from the Doncaster Opportunity Area funding.

See attached Officer Decision Record for further information.

Do Nothing – The impact of doing nothing is not a viable option, as this will result in some vulnerable children and young people not being supported and, ultimately, the likelihood of them being re-referred into Social Care. It places added pressure upon educational settings who are stating that they are not able to provide their customary level of support as a result of the current circumstances.