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SUMMARY OF KEY ISSUES
382. Although it is impossible to adequately summarise
the wide range of views expressed in a consultation such as
this, a number of key points for consideration are set out
below.
- There was a broad welcome for the Draft
Guidance.
- There was support for the key principles, although
most respondents expressed a range of concerns about
their practical implementation.
- A main area of concern related to the implications
of the proposals to target support towards vulnerable
families. While this was welcomed by most, respondents
expressed concerns about the reduced frequency of
contact with some families, and whether this may have a
detrimental effect on both children's health and the
likelihood that problems would be identified.
- While most respondents welcomed the view that
responsibility for children's health issues should rest
with parents or carers, there was concern expressed
about whether there were adequate safeguards proposed
in the Draft Guidance to deal with situations where
parents or carers did not engage with health
professionals.
- There were concerns expressed relating to a number
of proposals in the Draft Guidance that issues facing
children would fail to be identified, either due to the
reduced frequency of contact, or the perceived reliance
on parents to raise issues.
- An area of concern for some respondents was whether
the proposals may have a negative impact on child
protection, and particularly the detection of
abuse.
- It was suggested that the proposals would require
more funding, and that funding would have to be
re-allocated towards areas perceived to be high need or
high cost. The need for funding for partner agencies to
allow the proposals to be carried through was also
noted. Concern was also expressed that the focus on
priority families and the reduction in other routine
contacts would not deliver the resource savings assumed
in the Draft Guidance.
- The need for pre-investment in
IT was noted by a wide range of
respondents.
- The need for joint working among agencies was
highlighted, together with the need for joint planning
in relation to the implementation of Hall 4.
- The need for workforce development, and
particularly for staff training was highlighted, with
the need for training for non-
NHS staff (whose role in relation to
health issues is proposed to increase) being suggested
by a wide range of respondents.
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