Minutes/Notes of the North East Regional Employment Team. Held 5th December 2008.

Present;

Suzzane Henderson ONE North East

Cynthia Bartley (Chair) Public Health North East

Julie Kilgour CSIP

Paula Martin-King LSC

Brenda Grey JCP

Neil Lowther NSIP

Ann Creed LSC/NIACE RPO

Tim Bird (REL) CSIP/JCP Regional Employment Lead

Liam Gilfellon Regional IAPT Lead

James Herbert MHNE/Mindful Employer North East

Guests

Jill Smith NHS North East Workforce Team

Claire Newall SHIFT

Robin Murray-Neil CSIP Eastern

1. Welcome & Introductions.

Cynthia welcomed everyone and asked them to introduce themselves. Apologies were received from Robin, (Suzzane deputising), Lyn Boyd (representing Mindful Employer at a NEEDP event) and Julie Kilgour who was running late due to the adverse weather conditions.

Cynthia pointed out the recent success that had been achieved with a route way into the NHS in Sunderland. And also referred all to the Better Health Fairer Health plan and support group that she chairs and research it will be commissioning. RET members to feedback to Cynthia on how this could support MH and employment. AP 3/12

2. Action Points from the Previous Meeting

AP 3/10 was discussed and agreed that a small group of James and Tim Bird would map services and report back. AP 1/12. Neil Lowther to provide details of a similar exercise held by Trafford Council. AP 2/12

The rest were agreed by the group and updates were on the agenda

3. Review of the Statement of Priorities.

A paper was presented by Tim and was agreed by the group. Tim will amend the statement to reflect the changes.

4. REL Update

Tim presented his previously distributed report adding that we had been successful in getting the only MH ESA focus group in the country following meetings between NIMHE, JCP and himself. Tim introduced a proposed method of measuring progress from the London RET, Neil further outlined why this was required and indicated that views were sought from RETs and other interested groups especially those working around PSA16. AP 4/12

5. IAPT Update

Liam gave a full update of the IAPT programme and the rollout in the North East. Tim offered to get the Regional ATW manager to contact Liam to llok at closer working. AP 7 /12

6. Social Enterprise (SE).

Tim updated the group on the very complex area of SE and the difficulties of trying to get a clear picture of SE in the region. It is difficult to find out how many, where and how to access SE in the North East for clients and professional in the vocational and employment filed. Following a full discussion it was agreed on the following action points.

AP 5/12 RET members to pass on information and views on SE and MH employment to James Herbert, and, AP 6/12 James Herbert to pull this into a paper along with MHNE work going on in this area, to the RET, Cynthia and ONE.

7. Mindful Employer (ME) update.

James gave an update of the position in the region, 54 employer sign ups and over 100 employers engaged with a strong demand from employers, most are public sector but efforts are now moving into the private sector. A MHNE employer’s consortium will soon hold an inaugural meeting and will support ME.

8. Other Urgent Business.

Suzanne – ONE is developing action to support retention in employment so will look to link to IAPT, ME etc.

Paula – National Mental Health Strategy is in consultation phase could RET members please respond, also the NIACE/LSC resource has been funded for another year.

Julie – CSIP will be phased out by March 09. the 4 programmes will continue with NIMHE going to County Durham & Darlington PCT managed by Rosemary Grainger.

Neil – Welfare Reform white paper will be out w/c 8^th December, there will also be a Social Mobility white paper impacting on PSA 16.

9. Date and Time of Next Meeting

This will be held at Jobcentre Plus, North East Directors Office, Newcastle upon Tyne on Friday 6^th February 20089 at 10am until 1pm.