Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Rollins and Piper.

Members to declare any interests in matters to be discussed at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2023 as a correct record.

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on the 15 March 2023 are approved as a correct record.

To determine whether there are any additional items of business to be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent additional items of business.

To note and comment on the NHS Black Country Joint Forward Plan.

The Board received a presentation on the “Keeping Active is Fun” book.  The book was based around a variety of diverse characters, and sought to encourage young children to get involved in sports, embrace diversity, keep healthy, eat well, take part in recycling and drink plenty of water. The book also explored themes around bereavement and road safety.  

Accompanying the book was a journal to encourage children to write about their day, highlighting positive experiences to help improve mental health. 

The book had been created by a student at St Michael’s CE High School, who had won a Young Active Citizen’s Award for his work. The book had been positively received and supported by the Council, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust, St John’s Ambulance, Sandwell primary schools and care homes. Four launch events had taken place in Sandwell libraries.

Members of the Board welcomed the book and undertook to ensure that it was shared across the Borough.

Resolved:-

(1)          that the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Director of Children and Education, make the “Keeping Active is Fun” book available to as many children in Sandwell as possible;

(2)          that in relation to (1) (above), the Director of Public Health and Director of Children and Education explore the feasibility of sponsoring language interpretation and distribution of the book;

(3)          that the Director of Children and Education consider the distribution of the book via Sandwell Council’s Holiday Actives and Food (HAF) programme.

To note the details of the “Keeping Active is Fun” Story Book and to consider the feasibility of the distribution of the book to children in Sandwell.

The Board noted that three Sandwell schools were participating in the Oxwell Student Survey, a research project with Oxford University’s Department of Psychiatry designed to measure the wellbeing (health and happiness) of children and young people aged 9–18 years old.  The survey had run since 2019 and in 2021 more than 30,000 students from 180 schools had participated.

The Council, the NHS and the University would have access to the survey results, which would be used to ensure that the resources available could be targeted at areas of most need and the impact of interventions monitored. 

The Board was also informed that Eton College had submitted an application to build a free sixth form school in Dudley.  Places would be available to Sandwell students with priority given to disadvantaged young people, care leavers and those from challenging backgrounds.  Additionally, there was a wider partnership offer, giving students the chance to visit Eton college and participate in residentials.  Furthermore, teachers would receive open access to resources for teachers and students including information around PSHE, GCSEs and A-levels as well as professional development opportunities.

The Board also noted that :-

·      the Children’s Services Directorate had been nominated as one of 55 Priority Education Investment Areas, which would provide funding over a period of three years to target schools that would benefit from additional support to raise attainment;

·      there was a push to improve attendance, which linked to attainment;

·      a SEND area inspection had been announced and was due to take place from 26^th June

To note and endorse the Sandwell LGBTQ+ Health Needs Report and ongoing work.

The Board was informed that in September 2022 Public Health had commissioned a quantitative engagement and consultation exercise to gather insight and understand the needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ adults and young people in Sandwell.  This had led to the publication of the LGBTQ+ Health Needs Report in March 2023.

The 2021 census highlighted that around 2000 people did not identify with the sex registered to them at birth. 6000 residents in Sandwell identified with an LGBT+ orientation.

National evidence showed that people who identified as LGBTQ+ faced health inequalities and worse health outcomes and experiences of healthcare than the rest of the population. The engagement and consultation exercise had provided the opportunity to gain insight into health experiences and develop opportunities to develop work to improve these outcomes. 

Four key theme areas were investigated: Physical Health and Health behaviours, Mental health and wellbeing, Health Services and Access to Health Services, and Social capital. The majority of those participating were in the age range of 35-44. 54% of those participating identified as male and 46% identified as female. 65% of those who responded identified as gay or lesbian, 35% as bisexual and 6% as other. Nine LGBT+ community groups based within Sandwell had distributed the survey to their members.  40 survey responses had been received.

The key recommendations from the report were around establishing and promoting health and wellbeing initiatives that tailored to the LGBT+ community.  As a result, training around awareness of the issues faced by LGBT community would be considered by the Public Health team.

The LGBT community challenge fund, which was supported by partners at SCVO, was a small grants programme that would be delivered by the Council to encourage voluntary community sector organisations to apply for small grants to deliver projects in relation to the four themes discussed in the LGBT Health Needs Report.

A task and finish group had been established to work with LGBT+ young people to look at opportunities to ensure that appropriate support was available.  Members agreed that the area required continuous growth and learning to ensure that the services and support offered was what communities wanted. Additionally, work was underway with the commissioners from the ICB to develop plans with Primary Care as a result of the report.

To agree to provide support to the future development of the Eton College Partnership and OxWell School Survey Research project.

The Board noted an update on the development of the NHS Black Country Joint Forward Plan, which was nearing finalisation.  

The Plan’s vision would be delivered by a team of people working together in partnership with local citizens.  Through this partnership there would be engagement with communities to enable people and families to lead their best possible lives, regardless of health status, age, background, or ethnicity.