The Local Preventative Groups started on the 26th January 2005.

Local Preventative Groups were rolled out across Swindon from late September 2006. There are four Local Preventative Groups, each meeting once a fortnight. A common assessment will need to be completed for each child or young person before they are referred to the Local Preventative Groups. Training events are held each month.

The Local Preventative Group brings together organisations, which work with vulnerable children and their families to provide help and support through the agreement of a multi agency plan and the allocation of a Lead Professional.

The aim of the Local Preventative Group is to identify vulnerable children earlier and share information with the consent of parent/carers so that the strengths and needs of a child or young person can be met more accurately.

Local Preventative Groups develop a multi agency plan for children and young people who are vulnerable and where more than once agency is required to meet the needs of the child or young person. The basis of the joint plan is the common assessment and a multi agency meeting allocated services and a Lead Professional for the child/young person. An evaluation of the Local Preventative groups has shown reduction in fixed term exclusions, prevention of offending and high satisfaction rates by parents.

This process does not replace the Child Protection or Children in Need Procedures. Children in need of protection should be referred directly to the Referral & Assessment Team in Social Care.

The Local Preventative Groups pilot is for children 0 – 11 years living in the Penhill/ Pinehurst/ Gorse Hill/ Moredon areas (and children attending Headlands cluster and Nova Hreod with Moredon and Ferndale primary schools) and also Parks/ Walcot East areas (and Churchfields cluster).

For further information contact

Alison Hayward
Local Preventative Group Project Officer

Tel: 01793 825576
E-mail: ahayward@swindon.gov.uk

Roll Out Plans including the list of Schools for the four areas

Geographical Map showing the four areas for Swindon

Training

Swindon Common Assessment and Local Preventative Group Training is available on a monthly rolling programme. Refresher training and training for Lead Professionals are also available.

If you have not yet attended the Swindon CAF and LPG training, places are available on:

6th November 2007 9:30 to 3:30

If you would like to refresh your Common Assessment and Local Preventative Group training places are available on:

17th October 2007 9:30 to 12:30

6th December 2007 1:00 to 4:00

New training sessions around the role of the Lead Professional are available on:

17th October 2007 1:00 to 4:00

6th December 2007 9:30 to 12:30

TO BOOK PLACES ON ANY OF THESE SESSIONS PLEASE CALL LPG ADMIN ON 01793 825576

Printed Leaflets

Printed leaflets for practitioners and families are available as a downloadable document.

Local Preventative Group Leaflet for Practitioners

Local Preventative Group Leaflet for Young People & Families

Evaluation of Local Preventative Groups January 2006

Evaluation of Local Preventative Groups June 2007

The Common Assessment and Procedures guide for practitioners in Swindon, to help identify and support vulnerable children, and the 'levels of need in Swindon' pie chart can be downloaded below, along with basic details, common assessment forms and the panel information form.

Procedures Guide

Swindon Levels of Need

Swindon Pre-Assessment Checklist

LPG Referral Information Form

Swindon Common Assessment Form (CAF)

CAF Checklist

Common Assessment Process Flowchart

Organising a “Team Around the Child” Flowchart

Swindon Consent Form

Identification of Substance Related Needs

Contact

Local Preventative Group Administrator
Palm Tree Lodge
The Limes
Green Road
Swindon
SN2 7JA

Tel: 01793 825576

Please contact the Local Preventative Panel Administrator, for further details.