Outcome area - Health and Education
In year 1 –3, our combined multi agency health and education group focused on the problems of young children entering school, identifying and funding a series of interventions, including a Nurture group within St Clements school, a Home family support worker to be shared between St Clements school and Bethany, and Provision of hot school meals in Kings Park primary.
The Nurture Group, and Hot School Meals are now both being sustained without continued funded from NM and the Home School Support Worker will continue to be funded from school funds once NM funding has finished.

During year 3 the focus turned to assisting those with mental health problems in rediscovering their skills to live and work independently, providing encouragement and support into activities such as volunteering and employment. Taking on a multi agency approach a Social Inclusion Project Manager is now in place and work has begun to help those with mild mental health issues.

Other work evolving from the Health and Education Group includes:

• Playground equipment has been purchased for two local primaries for more structured activities
• Two homework clubs in Boscombe and Springbourne libraries have been established
• Raised awareness with the PCT of the lack of dental health care provision in the area, and ensuring this is recognised as a major issue in their dental plan
• A breastfeeding support group “Breast Friends” now meets regularly at the new Children’s Centre
• Discussions are taking place about improving ante natal provision the area

In year 4 we hope to assist our two local secondary schools to implement a scheme called “Restorative Justice”. This is a way of tackling difficult behaviour in a constructive way. Experience from elsewhere shows this can radically improve how people behave towards each other and can reduce school exclusions and truancy.