Venue: Committee Rooms A/B - Neath Civic Centre. View directions
Contact: Stacy Curran 01639 763194 Email: s.curran@npt.gov.uk
No. | Item |
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Minutes: A
spelling mistake was noted on page 7, and that ‘morale’ should read ‘moral.’ The
Committee noted the Minutes. |
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Scrutiny Forward Work Programme 2017/18 and Actions Register PDF 79 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The
Committee noted the Forward Work Programme and Actions Register. |
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Update on Child Sexual Exploitation PDF 209 KB Additional documents: Minutes: Members
received an update on the progress of Child Sexual Exploitation procedures in
Neath Port Talbot as contained within the circulated report. The
Committee thanked officers for the style of the report which they felt was easy
to read. Members
asked for further information in relation to the ‘network of professionals
involved in multi-agency meetings’ and Officers explained that partners include
Education, Police, Health, Schools, CAMHS, and voluntary organisations among
others. Members queried the particular relationship with the Police and were assured
that this has been improved and were given confidence that all actions are
taken forward by specific assigned officers. Members
noted that a risk factor is allocated from an assigned score and the Committee
were pleased to note that the timescale from the allocation of this score to
holding the meeting is 7-10 days. They went on to ask what happens if a young person
scores below 16 and noted that they will remain on a care and support package
with Social Services and that the score will be continually reviewed. It
was stated that 8 young people are currently on the protocol and Members asked
for assurances to ensure that young people are not slipping through the net. It
was explained that there are robust information sharing protocols and greatly improved
working relationships in place. The
Committee discussed concerns in relation to social media and how parents can
protect their children at home. A discussion was then held on Members’ roles as
Corporate Parents and the role of the Western Bay Safeguarding Children’s Board
as well as ongoing partnership work with foster carers, schools, police and
other partners to continue to raise the profile and awareness of Child Sexual
Exploitation. Members
asked if the SERAF and CSE protocol could be circulated to the Committee. |
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PRE-SCRUTINY Minutes: The Committee scrutinised
the following matters: Cabinet Board Proposals 4.1 Social Services Health and Housing Adult Social Care Staff
Survey 2017. Members received information in relation to the Social
Services Health and Housing Adult Social Care Staff Survey 2017 as contained
within the circulated report. Members noted that the survey had been completed in June
2017 and that this had been the first survey that staff had been asked to
complete; out of 320 eligible questionnaires a total of 150 had been completed.
Members raised concern at the response level but noted that
this had been the first survey of its kind and work would be completed with
staff to build their confidence and encourage better participation with the survey.
The Director gave the Committee an assurance that findings
raised from the survey had been acted upon and that the results had been shared
fully with the Trade Unions. The Committee requested that this item be deferred until
this year’s staff survey is completed so that a comparison can be made between
the results and the Director confirmed he would commence the Survey earlier
than planned. |
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ACCESS TO MEETINGS Minutes: Resolved:
that pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, the
public be excluded for the following
items of business which involved the likely disclosure
of exempt information as defined in paragraph 12 and 14 of Part 4 of
Schedule 12A to the above Act. |
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PRE-SCRUTINY Minutes: The
Committee scrutinised the following matters: Cabinet
Board Proposals 6.1 A Supportive Review of the Community Mental Health Teams
Associated Primary Care Psychiatric Liaison Services by Abertawe
Bro Morgannwg University Health Board and Neath Port Talbot
County Borough Council. The Committee received information in relation to the
findings of the Supportive Review of the Community Mental Health Teams
Associated Primary Care Psychiatric Liaison Services by Abertawe
Bro Morgannwg University Health Board and Neath Port
Talbot County Borough Council as contained within the circulated report. Members heard how the review had encouraged staff to be open
and honest and that lessons had been learnt about management arrangements of
integrated services. It was noted that there will be links with Local Area
Coordinators where possible. Members asked for progress against the ‘lack of administrative
staff’ that had been noted in the report and were informed that in the interim
agency staff have been utilised whilst the team structure is being considered. Progress was also requested on the sporadic attendance at
Multi Discipliniary meetings and the Committee were informed
that this has greatly improved. A discussion was held on the finding of the review that Gelligron is ‘not fit for purpose’ and Members agreed that
there are clear issues and challenges with the building but noted that there is
a wider ongoing accommodation review which is considering all options. The
Committee were particularly concerned about the lack of space for storage of medical
records and were pleased to note the plans to move to an electronic system. Members were pleased to note that supervision is now
conducted consistently according to policy on a 28 day basis. The Committee asked for further information in relation to
the governance and scrutiny arrangements of the Health Board and were informed
of the existence of a Quality and Safety Committee and the establishment of a
Strategic Group. The Committee appreciated the impact of when the previous Senior
Management Team of the Council’s Social Services team departed and recognised
the influence of the new management structure and that they had needed time to
bed in. The Committee agreed that a Member Panel be instated to provide a format where Members can receive direct
feedback from frontline Social Work Services and address any issues that arise
with Senior Officers. Following scrutiny it was agreed that the report be noted. 6.2 Manager’s Report, Hillside Secure Children’s Home Members received information on the young people,
information on staff and service planning and development for the period of 20th
August 2017 to 15th December 2017 as contained within the circulated
report. Members asked if in future a glossary of abbreviations be
included. The Committee welcomed the achievements in education and
congratulated the Unit in being used as an example of good practice in sports
therapy. The Committee also looked forward to the opening of the Hair and
Beauty Salon. Members raised concern at the significant increase in short term and long term sickness absence. Officers explained that the team members ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |