Wednesday 17 July 2019
Following the publication of the Policy Letter from the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, on the 'Transforming Education Programme', the Vice President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, Deputy Tooley, has detailed why her Committee supports the co-location proposals and explains how they will realise benefits for people living in the Bailiwick.
Deputy Tooley commented:
'The Partnership of Purpose sets out a commitment to transform health and care services by offering joined-up services, where people are valued, listened to, informed, respected and involved throughout their health and care journey.
'The States decision to transform education in the Bailiwick has provided the perfect opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to transform our services and enables Education, Health & Social Care and the voluntary and charitable sector to work together to plan for the co-location of services for the benefit of those we serve.
'Working closer together will deliver benefits to the community through the opportunities for collaborative working which will improve and enhance the services collectively provided.'
Officers from both Committees have worked together on co-location proposals over three phases:
- Interim co-location - investigating the use of the Delancey Campus to deliver elements of children's services.
- Co-location of complimentary services at the 11-18 School and Colleges.
- A long-term Community Hub for complementary services which will also provide space for voluntary and charity sector organisation, support groups, social networks and other community uses.
Deputy Tooley added:
'Phasing the co-location proposals means that the community will feel benefits as soon as possible and we do not have to wait until the various infrastructure works for the 11-18 Colleges are complete.
'Physically amalgamating family-centred services will enable teams to integrate and work more effectively in supporting the families we serve.'
Co-location in the 11-18 Colleges will improve service delivery for students and the families as well as reducing lost time to education in attending appointments during school time. It will also allow for closer multi-agency working.
The long term proposals for a Community Hub at Les Varendes further extend the potential benefits of co-locating services. This proposal is subject to further investigation of the feasibility of a community hub at this site (or any other sites identified as viable).
As well as providing statutory services, the Community Hub will provide space for voluntary and charity sector organisation, private sector organisations, support groups, social networks and other community uses. The Community Hub will bring together primary health services as well as community centered care. In addition there may be opportunities for housing advice, adult education, a community gym etc. Social prescribing will be a key feature that will be used to connect people with local community resources. This will build on social prescribing activities that are being carried out by voluntary and charitable groups in the Bailiwick today.
