A Partnership Board Meeting was held on 11 October 2021 and received a report from ABSS Director, Jeff Banks.

The report provided an update on the following areas:

• Governance Meetings
• Coronavirus/ Covid-19 Pandemic Recovery and Renewal
• Sustainability and Legacy Planning
• Programme Management
• Data, Research and Evaluation
• Communications and Marketing.

Jeff Banks outlined the work that ABSS is doing with Dartington Service Design Lab and the University of Essex to support the development of a Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System Children’s Care Partnership Plan (CCPP).  This has included developing an evidence-base from which decisions on priorities can be made and delivering two workshops attended by over 60 partners.

The first workshop explored key issues and challenges and directed the further research work which has been undertaken by The University of Essex.  The second workshop sought to confirm the broad approach and agree priorities and next steps in taking the work forward.  Participants were asked to consider The University of Essex comparative analysis of other models and approaches and to explore common features from those case studies which align with Mid and South Essex own challenges and opportunities.  The outcome was agreement to form a small Task and Finish Working Group under the chairmanship of Tricia D’Orsi, NHS Alliance Director, Castle Point and Rochford CCG & Southend CCG.

Colleagues at A Better Start Southend, The University of Essex and Dartington Service Design Lab are producing a written report of the work undertaken to date and this will be shared in future issues of this Partner Update.

Please contact the ABSS office if you would like any further information on any aspect of the ABSS programme.