Minutes:
The Committee received a presentation of the report by Daren Mulley and Deborah Rednapp. The first part of the report was council funded for the Children’s Trust and provided data collated by the Office of National Statistics for the years 2010 and 2011.
Teenagers Sexual Health
Officers acknowledged that it was an absolute priority of the council to reduce teenage pregnancy in Havering, however, it was disappointing that the borough continued to experience a relatively higher rate of fewer than 16 conceptions although overall there had been a steady reduction in the rate and number of teenage conceptions. It was suggested that the increase could be due to young people coming into Havering from outside areas.
Committee members expressed their concerns about the abortion rate at 7.7% per 1000 and that the conception rate per 1000 of 7.4% was disappointing. Officers advised that Havering had a very high school attainment rate which was linked to high terminations, and that within the live birth statistics, the actual number of teenage mothers was low. The Committee were also advised that key areas in the borough were being targeted by School Nurses.
Officers reassured the Committee that all options were discussed and every support given to teenage mums whether they chose to terminate or proceed with the pregnancy.
A Committee member expressed concern about one of the survey findings where one in six stated that they knew of someone who had been sexually exploited. Officers advised that there were processes in all schools where young people could safely report about themselves or others being exploited. In addition, the authority was planning a survey on the matter for 2014 and that the police were also involved in discussions in schools. It was noted that an LSCB sub group was carrying out work on the subject and the Chairman requested that their findings be submitted to the Committee on completion. Further concern was raised with regards to the lack of specialist services in the UK to provide support to sexually exploited children.
Officers advised that recommendations were being formulated and would be circulated to the Committee once they had been presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board in the New Year. The Chairman also requested sight of the 2012 data when it became available.
Substance Misuse
The Committee was advised that the second part of the report provided an insight into how services was performing as well as identifying trends/patterns so that services could be reprioritised if necessary.
The report was summarised as follows:
· Across England in 2012, the prevalence of illegal drug use was at its lowest since 2001 and alcohol use also continues a downward trend since 2001.
· In Havering, the majority of teenagers have never tried a drug. In contrast, the majority of teenagers have tried alcohol.
· In Havering, almost half of all teenagers have not tried smoking. Those who have, tried smoking under the age of 16.
· 60% teenagers in Havering have been offered a drug in the last 12 months.
· 40% teenagers had reported trying drugs. Cannabis, ecstasy, legal highs and cocaine were the preferred drugs.
· 25% of young people have not received drugs education in schools.
· The number of young people referred into the local service remains stable at just over 125 in 2012-13.
· In 2012-13, the overwhelming majority of young people were seeking support for their cannabis and alcohol misuse.
· Almost half of young people referred into the service in 2012-13 were aged 15-16 and lived in Harold Hill, Rainham and Romford.
· Clients receiving early interventions in 2012-13 were more likely to report being drug free whilst specialist clients were more likely to report reduced use.
· 100% of professionals surveyed reported that they would recommend the service to other professionals and parents/carers.
The Committee were advised that there had been a decrease in young people using drugs and alcohol in Havering. The survey was conducted on-line and 324 people between the ages of 16 years and 17 years took part. The Chairman requested that the survey questionnaire be forwarded for circulation to members. The number of young people referred to services for drug or alcohol abuse remained stable at 125 for 2012/13. These services were free of charge and young people were referred by schools or other agencies.
The Committee requested assurance that Trading Standards were still carrying out test purchases in local off licences. In addition, it was requested that the Director of Children’s Services and Housing check if a social housing tenant recently convicted of growing cannabis had been evicted.
The data collated confirmed that early intervention provided more positive outcomes. The Committee was advised that preventative measures were being developed and would be the responsibility of School Nurses. Officers also advised that there was a former drug addict who gave talks in schools and colleges and that all schools had drugs and sex education programmes covering primary to sixth form.
Committee Members were concerned that there were no plans for educating parents in addition to the absence of data on children with parents who had drug problems. It was suggested that the Troubled Families Team be utilised as very often young people obtained money from their parents for drugs/alcohol.
Officers advised that there had been discussions with the Amy Winehouse Foundation about providing free drugs education in Havering Schools. The Chairman requested that an update be provided to the Committee on future discussions with the Foundation.
Officers also advised that an action plan would be formulated with recommendations in response to the report findings and it was agreed that this would also be circulated to Committee Members following submission to the Health and Wellbeing Board.
The Chairman requested sight of the data for 2012 when this became available.
In summary, the Committee noted the full report and recommended that it would be worthwhile to hold an event in Havering featuring sexual health and the dangers of drugs.