The primary aim of Integrated Children’s Services (ICS) is for all organisations to work in partnership to improve the lives of children, young people and parents/carers in Dundee. This means that Dundee City Council, NHS Tayside, Police Scotland, the Third Sector, private sector and communities should jointly focus their resources where they are needed most in order to reduce inequalities and help families thrive. Services should support the implementation of the
Tayside Plan for Children, Young People and Families 2017-2022, with a particular focus on our key priorities and aims:
- Early Years - Our children will have the best start in life, they will be cared for and supported to learn in nurturing environments
- Education - Our children, young people and families will be meaningfully engaged with learning and extend their potential
- Health - Our children and young people will be physically, mentally and emotionally healthy, including the avoidance of risk taking and harmful behaviours
- Inequality and disadvantage - Our children and young people who experience particular inequalities will achieve comparable outcomes with other children and young people
- Protection - Our children and young people will be safe and protected from harm at home, in school, and in the community
In practice, this means that, as a partnership, we are working together to implement all aspects of Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), including Named Persons and Lead Professionals offering extra support to children and young people who, for whatever reason, may be experiencing difficulties in their lives. It means that a range of professionals, such as Midwives, Health Visitors, Teachers, Social Workers, Police Officers and Third Sector organisations try to identify problems early, support families to build on their strengths and provide guidance and support to help address different types and levels of need. We have a particular focus on the following vulnerable groups and issues:
- Looked After Children and Care Leavers
- Young Carers
- Children and young people with Additional Support Needs (including those which are Complex)
- Parents
- Educational attainment
- Healthy living and physical activity
- Substance misuse
- Mental health
- Physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect
We will engage with communities and families to jointly identify priorities and develop shared responses. We will also continually evaluate the impact of what we do, including obtaining the views of children, young people and families about their experiences of services and the extent to which they consider they have made a positive difference to their lives. Our approach towards engagement and evaluation will help us to learn about the needs of communities and whether we need to change the range or type of services we provide to meet these needs.