Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

RECREATION AND HERITAGE

PART II

SOCIAL SERVICES / RECREATION AND HERITAGE JOINT WORKING

1. The Executive Member has considered a report on the joint working between the Social Services and Recreation and Heritage Departments which outlined how such working supports the corporate aim with regard to improving the quality of life, health, independence and personal development of the people of Hampshire, particularly the more vulnerable groups of adults and children such as young people, looked after children and the elderly. The report outlined some examples and analysis of current joint working activities between the two departments, identified some of the issued arising from those activities and presented some of the planned projects and ideas for further development of joint working. During the second half of the year, joint conferences of staff from the two departments were to be held to identify opportunities to develop joint working with children and young people and older people.

2. Examples of established projects include an annual event offering a day of free access to all the activities at Calshot for looked after children and "Making a Difference" arts events and activities in residential care homes. In 2003/04, more than 1,400 workshops and 234 performances took place in the County Council's 26 residential care homes including visuals arts and crafts workshops, reminiscence sessions, exercise training and music therapy. Further projects were a visit to the Welsh Mountain Centre by a group of care leavers and a looked after children liaison worker who would encourage a reading habit and provide access to reading for looked after children in children's homes.

3. For the future, such schemes as residential work experience for care leavers at Tile Barn Outdoor Centre, increased access for looked after children, foster carers and their families to County Council countryside sites by means such as free or concessionary admission and increasing the operational capacity of the Home Library Service to address the unmet needs of housebound people across the county are being considered.

4. The Executive Member has noted this joint working and expressed his support for it.

4IR940704