Agenda item

A report which provides an overview of work done to date on the development and implementation of Oldham’s Prevention Framework.

The Interim Director of Public Health presented a report and Rachel Dyson gave a presentation, providing an overview of the work done to date on the development and implementation of Oldham’s Prevention Framework.

In Summer 2022, the Public Service Reform (PSR) Board agreed to initiate the development of a comprehensive Prevention Framework for Oldham, recognizing the importance of prevention and early intervention in various key strategies. While existing strategies, such as the early help demand strategy and health inequalities plan, emphasized these principles, they were developed independently. The complexity of the system and the vast scope of early intervention presented challenges. Previous reviews, including the 2019 Early Intervention & Prevention review and the Thriving Communities program evaluation, highlighted the need for a more coordinated and cross-system approach. The aim of the shared Prevention Framework is to establish common objectives, integrate prevention into spending plans, avoid duplication, assess the current system's offerings, identify gaps, guide investment decisions, facilitate workforce development, and ensure a resident-focused, place-based approach.

The Prevention Framework which was attached as an Appendix to the report provided a shared language for prevention in Oldham, a shared vision for what the prevention offer should deliver and the outcomes it aims to achieve.

Alongside the development of the Framework a mapping exercise was also undertaken to identify the current services offered at each level of the Framework across the local system. Tis revealed a complex service landscape with numerous services taking a preventative approach, yet challenges in understanding the overall offering. Issues included greater investment in complex cases, less investment in Staying Well, and piecemeal commissioning. The workforce focused on providing support rather than enabling self-help, and the service structure was difficult to navigate.

Recognising these complexities, the PSR Board had acknowledged the need to embed the Prevention Framework principles. Key focuses and progress areas included raising awareness, pathway mapping, VCFSE funding review, strengthening program interfaces, developing a service directory, and implementing strengths-based working. The Prevention Framework document was widely shared, and efforts concentrated on mapping wellbeing support, linking it to other preventative services, and reviewing VCFSE funding for strategic alignment. The plan also involved enhancing program interfaces, creating a service directory, and implementing strengths-based working across the system.

In response to a question as to who the framework was aimed at the Interim Director stated that the framework was not intended as a public document but as a resource for practitioners. However, care had been taken in the layout and language used to make the framework as accessible as possible.

A Member raised a personal experience of trying to access services where they had been stuck in a referral cycle with no one sure who should make the referral. The Interim Director responded that this was a very useful example and highlighted the need to stress test pathways.

In response to a question as to when the Directory of Support Services would be produced the Interim Director responded that no date had been set as it would require a lot of resources.

Members asked how accessible services would be advertised.  The interim Director responded that there would be many different methods depending on the customer group and gave the example of information provided to new mothers.

Members queried whether funding had been secured to continue Social Prescribing and were informed that funding was in place for several months with a positive outlook for securing further funding.

Resolved:

1.         The report and presentation be noted.

2.         A progress report be brought back to the Scrutiny Board in 18 months.