That the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 10^th June 2019, be approved.

The following Member made a declaration of interest at the commencement of the meeting:

Members received an overview of the Children and Young People and Adult Services – Revised 2019-20 Performance Reporting Arrangements as detailed in the circulated report.

The Committee was pleased with the new format which would be implemented immediately.

In response to Members queries it was confirmed that the data in relation to the Number of Adults with a care and support plan who received adult social care during the year e.g. Homecare, Day Care, Respite Reablement, Adaptations, Direct Payments, Adult Care Homes, Telecare etc would all be included in one indicator.  It noted that a report concerning Direct Payments would be brought to a future meeting for Members consideration.

Members noted the report.

The Committee chose to scrutinise the following Cabinet ard items:

Care Inspectorate Wales and Health Inspectorate Wales Inspection of Older Adults Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

A.Rowlings, Care Inspectorate for Wales, addressed committee giving and overview of the outcome of the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW) Inspection of Older Adults Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (NPTCBC) as detailed in the circulated report.

The Inspection identified that a considerable amount of work that had been undertaken by the Directorate and that the Directorate was going in the right direction.  Neath Port Talbot was one of the first local authorities to be part of the new format for Inspections.  The new Inspections compare the progress against the requirements of the Social Services and Well-being Act 2014 (SSWBA).

Members received confirmation that the inspection was led by CIW and delivered in collaboration with Healthcare Inspectorate (HIW), who have seen the report.  In addition, in October a report would be presented containing details of all inspections which would be considered by Welsh Government.

Discussion took place on the numerous work streams that are undertaken between health and social services, health and housing.  One of which was the remodelling of adults services, which would base health and social services in community teams.  A report on the proposals would be presented to Members at the next meeting.  

Members queried what the reason was for the delay in undertaken assessments prior to hospital.  In addition, why were some patients discharge without an assessment being completed.  Officers explained that social services and health work closely to ensure that all assessments are undertaken.  In some cases due to the changing long term needs of the patient the assessment has to be undertaken at home.  CIW confirmed that during the Inspection no unsafe discharges from hospital had been identified.

Concern was expressed at the inconsistencies in contacting individuals/families and involving them in the safeguarding process.  It was explained that the Safeguarding Service has developed an action plan to address these areas.  An update report would be brought to a future meeting for Members consideration.

Discussion took place on the process for receiving referrals from the public, partner agencies and members of the council.  All referrals were logged and forwarded to the appropriate team. The system also has the ability to track all referrals. An all Member Seminar was being arranged to brief Members.

Members asked what action was being taken to address the issues made by Social Workers of their lack of confidence in deciding whether they undertake a carers assessment or whether to refer to the Carers Service for them to undertake the assessment with the carer.  This would give the opportunity to the carer to have the assessment undertaken by someone who was not involved with the service user.  Officers acknowledged this was an area that needed further improvement but a lot of work had been undertaken to consult with carers.  Coffee mornings had taken place with carers and a strategy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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 13 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.

The Committee asked that the Education, Skills and Leisure Cabinet Board, due to the number of items on the Cabinet Board agenda, consider deferring the following private items to the next meeting in September:

·        The Manager’s Report on Hillside Secure Children’s Home (Exempt Paragraph 13)

·        The Regulated Service (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017.

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme for 2019/20.