Agenda and draft minutes

The Committee noted the Minutes.

The Committee scrutinised the following matters:

Cabinet Board Proposals

3.1    Western Bay Safeguarding Board Joint Annual Business Plan 2018/19

The Committee received the Western Bay Safeguarding Joint Annual Business Plan 2018/19 as contained within the circulated report.

Members asked if links had been strengthened between the Anti Human Trafficking Forum and were informed that the NRM (National Referral Mechanism) were in place but that continuous improvement is being sought which is why it is included as a priority in the Business Plan.

Members asked what the abbreviation MASE referred to. The officers clarified this referred to Multi Agency Sexual Exploitation. Officers explained they will inform staff to reduce the amount of acronyms used.

Members asked for clarification on why the Adults and Childrens elements of the Plan had been combined and raised concern about tracking the progress in relation to the separate elements of the Plan. Officers explained that the overarching priority was ‘Safeguarding People from Exploitation’ but that specific monitoring would be undertaken by both the Adults and Childrens Boards.

Members looked forward to receiving updates on the progress of the Business Plan in particular how the unified approach of the Children and Adult elements was working.

Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.

3.2    National Integrated Health and Social Care Collaborative Framework for Younger Adults.

          The Committee received information in relation to the National Integrated Health and Social Care Collaborative Framework for Younger Adults as contained within the circulated report.

          Members were assured the quality of provision and meeting people’s needs will always remain the paramount consideration.

          Members asked for clarity on who defines ‘advantageous’ and were informed that it is the Council’s officers who will make this decision when assessing individual needs.

          Members were pleased to note that the framework will only be utilised where it will be of benefit for Neath Port Talbot to do so and where it represents quality and value for money and there is no legal obligation to do so. Members were assured that the Council’s legal team have been fully involved in the drafting of the framework and that all checks and balances have been agreed.

          Following scrutiny, the Committee were supportive of the proposal to be considered at Cabinet Baord.

Resolved:                    That pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1072, 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 12 A to the above Act.

The Committee scrutinised the following matters:

Cabinet Board Proposals

4.1    The Children’s Home (Wales) Regulations 2002

The Committee received information in relation to the Children’s Home (Wales) Regulations 2002 as contained within the circulated report.

Members asked for further information in relation to sickness absence and for the policies in relation to staff support.   . Officers explained that there were 18 members of staff off sick in February and as of yesterday there was only 1 member of staff off sick. Staff has access to Occupational Health, Counselling, Clinical Psychologists and trauma specialists and Members were pleased to note that overall issues of wellbeing are continually considered.

Members noted that the recent closure of a unit hadn’t resulted in any financial loss.

Members discussed the behaviour policy in relation to sanctions and rewards and the different needs of individual within the Home.

Members noted that there is a designated Safeguarding Officer at Hillside and that a second was being recruited.

Members asked for information in relation to First Aid traiing and were pleased to note that there is at least one trained first aider on every shift and that all the fire logs are up to date.

Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the Report be noted.