Agenda item

            The Committee considered the undernoted report;

 

“Relevant Background Information

 

      BelfastCity Council currently provides play services for children and young people through 22 community and 6 play centres. The play development service provides support to enhance these services, to organise central events and to provide support for the voluntary sector.

 

      The play centres are located in six specific areas which are historical and had been inherited from when that service was part of the Parks Section. The format in which the service has been run has remained the same, providing a pre-school playgroup, after school club and holiday playschemes.

 

      Changes within both the internal and external environment have impacted on the way play service provision should be delivered to meet the needs of children and young people in Belfast. In order to inform our response to these changes, a decision was made and ratified by BelfastCity Council at their meeting on 4th July 2005, to undertake a review of Council-owned Playcentres. An independent consultant, Venturei was appointed to undertake the review which involved looking at both the internal and external environments, relevant legislation and consulting with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

 

      The report, with the key recommendations, was presented to the Development Committee on 14 May 2008 where a decision was made to defer to allow further time to consider the report and recommendations.

 

Key Issues

 

      The Review considered both internal and external factors that have impacted on the delivery of the current service and the report concluded:

 

1.   There has been no City-wide approach taken in response to identified need;

2.   Duplication and gaps in service provision have not been considered;

3.   The nature of the service is resource intensive providing for a limited number of children;

4.   Changes in the demand for pre-school playgroups services have resulted in the closure of three out of the six centres and the remaining centres providing primarily for children outside the targeted age group;

5.   There is limited flexibility in developing the service; and

6.   The nature of the service does fit in with the Community Services ethos and the Community Support Plan.

 

      The Review of the Play Service made two key recommendations

 

1.   To exit from pre-school playgroups. This part of the service has been impacted on most by external factors including demographic changes and government funding. This has resulted in the closure of three out of the six playgroups resulting in a reduction from 104 available places to 48. Currently only 90% of the places in the remaining playgroups are filled with only 25% from the targeted age group. Appendix 1 indicates the current position within each of the Playcentre Pre-school Playgroups. Other concerns are that the service is most resource intensive and provides for a limited number of children. Pre-school services are the main responsibility of the Education and Social Services.

 

2.   The play service should become more strategically focused, with a needs-led approach that is more flexible in the delivery of services. This would include the extension of the age range to enable the play service to cover 4-16 years; to undertake a needs analysis; and to develop the service to enable it to provide a range of services to be more responsive to the needs of local communities. This will also enable the development of internal and external partnerships and maximising the use of all BCC assets.

 

Resource Implications

 

      Financial

 

      To take place within existing resources.

 

      Human Resources

 

      No implication on the current allocation

 

      Asset and Other Implications

 

      There is no impact on any physical BCC asset.

 

Recommendations

 

      It is recommended that Members

 

1.   Consider and accept the content of the Venturei report a copy of which is available on Modern.gov;

2.   Consider and accept the recommendations of the Venturei report; and

3.   Approve the Action plan to implement the recommendations of the Venturei report.

 

Key to Abbreviations

 

      BCC – Belfast City Council

 

Documents Attached

 

Appendix 1   –  Current position – PlayCentrePre-School Play Groups.

Appendix 2   –  Recommendations of the Venturei Report.

Appendix 3   –  Play Service Action Plan.

 

Appendix 1

 

Current position regarding provision for 3 year olds in areas covered by BCC Playcentre Playgroups

 

1.   OlympiaPlaycentre

 

Catchment area for pre-school playgroup:

Electoral wards: Blackstaff, Shaftesbury and Windsor

 

Number of 3 year olds living in catchment area: 102

 

Pre-school provision in catchment area

 

Provider	Number of Places
Olympia PG (Based in OlympiaPlaycentre)	16
Early Learners Playgroup	32
ArellianNursery School	52
Blythefield Nursery Unit	26
Fane Street Nursery	26
Total	152

 

      Within the catchment area, there is a surplus of 50 places for children in their pre-school year.

 

Olympia Playgroup (2007/2008)

 

Number of places available:           16

Number of places filled:                  14

 

      19% of the places are filled by children in the pre-school year who are in the targeted age group

 

      Source for statistics: Belfast Health & Social Services Trust, April 2008

 

2.   Avoniel Playcentre

 

Catchment area for pre-school playgroup:

Electoral wards: The Mount and Bloomfield

 

Number of 3 year olds living in catchment area: 127

 

Pre-school provision in catchment area

 

Provider	Number of Places
Avoniel Playgroup (Based in Avoniel Playcentre)	16*
Oasis Playgroup	24
See Saw Playgroup	24
Bloomfield Playgroup	24
Euston Street Nursery Unit	52
Avoniel Nursery unit	52
RavenscroftNursery School	52
Total	244

 

      *Avoniel was originally registered for 24 children. Due to a decreased demand for places, the numbers in the playgroup was reduced to 16.

 

      Within the catchment area, there is a surplus of 117 places for children in their pre-school year.

 

Avoniel Playgroup (2007/2008)

 

Number of places available:           16

Number of places filled:                  13

 

      19% of the places are filled by children in the pre-school year who are in the targeted age group

 

      Population and Provision statistics: source: Belfast Health & Social Services Trust, April 2008

 

3.   Ballysillan Playcentre

 

Catchment area for pre-school playgroup:

Electoral wards: Ballysillan

 

      Total number if births in Ballysillan Ward 2003 – 2006

 

Total Births: Ballysillan
2003	72
2004	89
2005	77
2006	66

 

Source

·         www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk 

 

      Making the assumption that families have remained in the area since the birth of their child, the above table indicates that there will be 77 children who will turn 3 and therefore be in their pre-school year in 2008.

 

      The table also shows an indication that the birth rate is decreasing within the Ballysillan ward.

 

      Pre-school provision in catchment area

 

Provider	Number of Places
Ballysillan Playgroup	16
Joanmount Playgroup	16
Ballysillan Nursery Unit	26
Total	58

 

Ballysillan Playgroup (2007/2008)

 

Number of places available:           16

Number of places filled:                  16

 

      Within the catchment area, the above indicates a deficit of 19 places for children in their pre-school year. Within the Ballysillan Playgroup, 38% of the places are filled by children in the pre-school year who are in the targeted age group. This indicates that although there is a deficit of places for children in their pre-school year they are accessing these outside the catchment area.

 

      Provision based on 2008 information

 

Appendix 2

 

Venturei Report Recommendations

 

      This section of the review sets out the recommendations of the independent review team. The recommendations have been developed against the following themes:

 

·         Refocusing the Play Service    -     Short Term (2008-09)

·         Refocusing the Play Service    -     Medium Term(2009-10)

·         Refocusing the Play Service    -     Long Term (2011-13)

 

Refocusing the Play Service-Short Term

 

      The following are the short term (2008-2009) recommendations:

 

·         It is clear that the Play Service has stagnated over the past three to five years from a lack of strong strategic and operational leadership. On the basis that Play now sits within the Community Services Unit it is recommended that this review and its associated actions are implemented and that it does not become another in a long line of abandoned reviews and service improvement initiatives for Council’s Play Service. Any emerging organisational structures should recognise the value of Play.

·         The Council’s service has largely been provided through six dedicated play centres. It is recommended that the service delivery model shifts from a centre focused to a needs led model. This will require a more flexible needs led service delivery model. All service should not be provided from Play Centres. The team should work in other indoor and outdoor environments where need has been established.

·         Part of this model will entail a more “joined up” and integrated approach to Playwork and play provision, recognising for example, the benefits of working in partnership with other sections such as Parks and Leisure. Co-operation such as this recognises the play can be both indoor and outdoor, making use of open spaces and other community facilities.

·         There is a need for an integrated strategy for children and young people across all Council services, in order to avoid possible duplication of service provision and ensure a strategic approach to the issues of Playwork.

·         In particular, a more joined up and proactive approach by Council can more fully address the needs of all children, especially children with a disability, thus providing a more fully inclusive service.

 

·         It is clear from an analysis of the user/waiting list for Councils existing Play Service that demand for pre-school (morning sessions) has been reducing over a number of years. Three centres do not have sufficient children registered to provide a pre-school service. On the basis that there are other providers, including Sure Start and the community sector it is recommended that Belfast City Council withdraw from the provision of a pre-school play service via its play centres.

·         It is recommended that the withdrawal should be phased across 2008/9. Parents in the communities adjacent to the Play Centres seeking to register children for the service would be informed of the decision. The 2009 timescale would allow Council to meet its responsibilities in respect of existing users and parents planning to use the service over the timeframe up until the their children enter the formal primary education provision

·         It is recommended that, in the short term, the Play worker team (16 FTEs) use the time freed up as a result of the decreasing demand for its pre-school service to carry out a range of play development projects under direction of the Play Development Officer. The projects can form a pilot for future service delivery.

·         Clearly the Play service must move in line with the direction of the Community Service Unit…….that is it must provide needs led services whilst adhering to community development principles. In order to do so the role of the Play staff team will change. It is recommended that the management of this change is carried out as follows:

o        The principal role of the Play staff team is the provision of play sessions. This should remain the case. If the service is to promote sound play practice and support other organisations to develop children’s services based on the play work principles they must do so from a practice(hands on) rather than academic base

o        The shift from the current centre focused play service model to a flexible, needs led and championing service must be a ‘managed transition’. The current team is experienced and qualified in play work. It will need a skills support programme across the 2008/9 timeframe to leave the team ready to implement the proposed medium term action plan

o        Playworker recruitment criteria should focus on Playwork (NVQ) qualifications, as opposed to early years qualifications

 

·         An annual needs analysis of the playservice should be undertaken as a short term measure, the findings of which should be implemented over the medium term

·         It is recognised that BelfastCity Council has addressed a number of the issues associated with the play service. The appointment of a Play Development Officer has provided the service with strong and appropriate operational management. The appointment of a new Community Service Manager and the development of a new Community Support Plan which directs all community services, provides a strategic framework within which the playservice will change and develop. However, it is also recommended that Belfast City Council recognise the importance for a strategic approach to meeting the needs of children and young people across its departments. It is recommended that the Play Development Officer becomes a member of a cross department/services children and young peoples team. This would help to bring a strategic management approach to Councils provision for children and young people, sharing best practice and reducing duplication. It is recommended that this happens within the short term. On a longer term basis, and in line with a likely out workings of community planning, it is recommended that Council examines the potential for an interagency strategic forum for Belfast City Council area which will focus on identifying and understanding the needs of children and young people, mapping existing provision across the Council area and coordinating service provision across the statutory and voluntary sectors.

·         A detailed mapping exercise will be required to determine the role of the current Play Centres within the Play Service. Identifying, in detail, provision for services for 0-16 year olds will confirm the availability of environments, indoor and outdoor which will support play provision or be able to host/include play provision. This data is needed to confirm the need for Play Centres. If need is confirmed this information will identify the optimum number and locations for Play Centres.

 

Refocusing the Play Service - Medium Term

 

·         Implementation of the findings of the needs analysis of the play service should happen over a two to three year timeframe to embed the findings and emerging processes

 

·         It will be vital to link the playservice to the wider external environment, including the policy and strategic environment discussed at Section 4. Given the move towards Community Planning in relation to local service provision, this process should take place over the medium term in order to develop meaningful and sustainable linkages.

·         Mapping exercises should be undertaken on a five year cyclical basis, in order to ensure that the service remains responsive to local needs and circumstances. This exercise should also consider other provision, including that provided by the community and voluntary sector, in order to avoid duplication.

 

Refocusing the Play Service - Long Term

 

·         Any emerging long term models should be based on the findings and recommendations of the mapping exercise discussed above.

·         Given the scope and nature of play provision it is vitally important that any long term model is flexible and needs driven.

·         In terms of potential play models, these should consider a variety of approaches, including outdoor environments eg Play Ranger schemes and adventure play, recognising the value and impact of different types of play as discussed in Section 5.

 

            The Community Development Manager stated that it might prove to be beneficial for a Consultative Group consisting of Councillors, Officers and representatives of interested organisations to be established to examine the current facilities which were available within the City and how the work undertaken by the Play Service could be improved.

 

            During a lengthy discussion, several Members expressed concern at some aspects of the report, including a recommendation that the Council would cease to offer a pre-school Play Service at its Play Centres.  A Member indicated that he believed that certain figures contained within the Venturei Report were inaccurate, which could have serious implications should the Council take decisions based on this information.  Other Members expressed the view that it would be important that the proposed outreach programme did not operate to the detriment of the existing Play Centres.  Further Members pointed out that the proposed removal of play facilities from certain locations could have a detrimental effect on the viability of the buildings in which the service was provided.

 

            In response to a Member’s question regarding the length of time it had taken for the report to be prepared, the Community Development Manager indicated that the production of the report had been delayed due to the transfer of the Play Service from the Parks Department to the Development Department, the generation of the Community Support Plan and because the report had been sent back several times to Venturei as the Department had had concerns regarding the accuracy of the statistical information contained therein.  She pointed out that the Consultative Group which the Department wished to establish would be able to challenge or confirm the statistical information contained within the report.

 

            During further discussion, several Members pointed that much of the play provision undertaken within the City was carried out by churches and youth organisations which received very little financial assistance from the public sector and that it would be important that the proposed Consultative Group consulted such groups to establish how best the Council could assist them in their work.  It was pointed out also that many of the services provided for mothers and toddlers was undertaken within local communities rather than by statutory organisations and it was suggested that the Consultative Group should examine this issue also.

 

            Following a lengthy debate regarding the makeup of the proposed Consultative Group, it was

 

Moved by Councillor McCausland,

Seconded by Councillor D. Dodds,

 

      That a Consultative Group to examine the provision of play facilities within the City be established on the basis that the political representatives be appointed in accordance with the Party Group strengths on the Council.

 

Amendment

 

Moved by Councillor Attwood,

Seconded by Councillor Convery,

 

      That the Consultative Group be established with each Party Grouping represented on the Council having one seat only.

 

            On a vote by show of hands two Members voted for the amendment and four against and it was accordingly declared lost.

 

            Accordingly, the original proposal standing in the name of Councillor McCausland was thereupon put to the meeting when four Members voted in favour and two against and it was accordingly declared carried.

 

            The Committee agreed also to:

 

(i)    note the contents of the Venturei report;

 

(ii)    accept the recommendations contained within the Venturei report, with the exception of that relating to the Council ceasing to offer a pre-school Play Service within its Play Centres; and

 

(iii)   approve the action plan to implement the recommendations of the Venturei report.