LOCAL PRACTICE GROUPS

What are these groups?

Locality, practice based groups for all professionals and volunteers who work with children, young people and their families.

Fenland
Huntingdonshire
East Cambridgeshire
South Cambridgeshire
Cambridge City

They were established in the spring of 2002 in recognition that people who work in the same local area will have a number of common needs and interests.

What is their purpose?

These groups provide an opportunity for people who work with children, young people and their families within a local area to get to know each other and to understand each other’s role in safeguarding the welfare of children. The groups support the collective identification of good practice and the conditions which support it. As well as providing a forum for discussing any difficulties that arise from inter-agency working.

What are the group’s objectives?

Although each group has developed its own style and identity they share the same objectives:

• To proactively make links within their local inter-agency community, reaching out to professionals and volunteers who have difficulty in accessing more traditional forms of inter-agency training;

• To work consultatively with the LSCB to evaluate the impact of policy on practice and identify areas of practice concern which requires attention;

• To provide a safe and open forum for professionals to discuss local issues and foster activities that promote effective inter-agency working relationships.
  

How are they supported?

Each group has two or three facilitators who are supported by the LSCB through Carol Wells, Training and Practice Development Manager and a dedicated budget. The facilitators, drawn from different agencies, are experienced professionals, with a wealth of knowledge in the work of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. However they recognise they are not expert in all subjects and openly engage with group members to share and pool their knowledge.

What activities have they supported?

An example of the activities of the groups:

Presentations by various professionals
Discussions on topics such as thresholds of harm, domestic violence and its impact on children, the Joint Mental Health Protocol and information sharing.
Presentations and discussion of local Serious Case Review practice messages.

How do I get involved?

You can get further information by contacting Carol Wells, Training and Practice Development Manager on 01480 376078 or Joanne Little on 01480 376699. Alternatively use the tear of slip to request information about the group in your area. Return to Joanne Little.

Information is also posted on the LSCB website www.cambslscb.org.uk
The groups would like to see more GP’s and education staff. Social care workers who are working with adults who are parents/carers and have a learning disability or mental health need are also very welcome.