Agenda and minutes

The following members made a declarations of interest at the start of the meeting:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 17 October 2019 be approved.

The committee received information on the Adult and Children and Young People Services High Level Measure Data for the second quarter period. (April 2019 – September 2019) as detailed in the circulated report.

In answer to Members queries the following explanations were received.

The numbers of vacancies identified in the report included social workers, assistants and support staff, the figure did not just relate to Social Workers.  In future, reports would contain more detail of each service.

Additional Social Worker and Occupational Therapist vacancies were has a result of additional temporary funding being received so additional posts were recruited on a temporary basis.  Also, vacancies within the Occupational Therapy Service could impact on the waiting times for assessment.

The 85%(11/13) of the cases audited the supervisee had attended training during the last three supervision sessions was as a result of the supervision session targeting the individual needs of the officer.

As a result of some difficulty accessing staff supervision files within Hillside Secure Centre new lockers had been purchased to ensure this would not happen again and the audit of these files would be repeated.

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

To select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports included for Scrutiny Members)

The committee chose to scrutinise the following cabinet board items:

Remodelling and Relocation of Complex Needs Day Services

The committee received an overview of the proposal to remodel and relocate the current Complex Needs Day Services based at Abbeyview, Brynamlwg and Trem Y Mor as detailed in the circulated report.

Members were reassured that the proposal was not a cost cutting exercise as the costs were neutral.  It was to strengthen the current provision.

Concern was expressed by members on the additional time service users would spend travelling to the new premises.  It was explained that in liaison with our transport colleagues no additional time would be spent on buses.  If necessary the pickup routes would be reconfigured to ensure this.  Each bus where necessary would have less pick up routes.  A report containing a breakdown of times and locations would be brought for members consideration to a future meeting.

Consideration would be given to assisting service users with Autistic Spectrum Disorder to cope with the changes that this proposal would bring.  Friendship between service users, which was previously raised by parents during the consultation would also form part of the planning.

Officers confirmed that there would be additional costs incurred due to training staff as agency staff would have to cover those staff being trained.  Discussions were on-going with care providers.

Discussion took place on the process for supporting family and parents who were unhappy with the proposal.  Officers explained that meetings had taken place on an individual basis to mitigate any issues and assist people to understand why the changes had been put in place.  It was also recognised that change could be difficult for many people.  Also, when reflecting on the consultation any lessons learnt from that process would be used to inform future consultations.

Following scrutiny, the committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by cabinet board.

Direct Payments Policy

At this point Councillor C. Galsworthy re-affirmed her interest in this item and left the meeting.

Members received information on the Direct Payments Policy as detailed in the circulated report.

In answer to members queries, the Direct Payments Policy was not subject to external consultation because it was an explanation of the Direct Payments system, rather than being a policy which sets out and explains the approach that the Council had chosen to adopt within a legal framework.  An Integrated Impact Assessment was undertaken as part of the council discharging its legislative duties under the Equality Act 2010, the Welsh Language Standards (No.1) Regulations 2015 and the Environment (Wales) Act 2016.

In addition, members asked why there was no impact on the valleys.  There were a number of cases where service users could not recruit to personal assistant roles.  Officers explained that this section of the report referred to the legislative duties under the relevant equality acts.  Also, no person would be forced to use direct payments.  If there was no availability of personal assistants, then the council would provide the service based  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Access to Meetings to resolve to exclude the public for the following item(s) pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and the relevant exempt paragraphs of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.

The committee received an update on the progress and development of the Autism Spectrum Disorder/ Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ASD/NDD) Strategic Plan as detailed in the private circulated report.

Discussion took place on the support provided to people with ASD/NDD.  Where necessary the service was brought to the service users.  For instance, job centre staff visited the client if it was difficult for that client to attend the job centres.

In answer to Members queries the funding was provided by the Integrated Care Fund which was led by Swansea Bay Health Board so there was no financial impacts to the council.

Concern was expressed at the lack of data on waiting lists for diagnoses and how many people accepted support after diagnoses.

Discussion took place on the importance of Social Services, Health and Housing and Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning  Directorates working together to ensure there was consistency of approach. Further discussion took place on the need to involve other agencies who were also providing services to support ASD/NDD.  The Head of Children and Young People Services was asked to identify all agencies responsible for ASD/NDD services and for the Chairperson of this committee to write letter addressing the need for all agencies to work together.

In addition members asked that consideration be given to holding joint scrutiny meetings with Education, Skills and Culture on cross cutting topics such as the Autism Strategic Plan.  The Scrutiny Officer was asked to alert the committee of any reports relating to ASD/NDD being considered by Education, Skills and Culture Cabinet Board. 

Members asked that their appreciation be cascaded to all staff involved in the ASD/NDD services for all their hard work and commitment to providing an excellent service.

Following, scrutiny the report be noted.

To select appropriate private items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)

The committee chose to scrutinise the following private cabinet board items:

The Manager’s Report on Hillside Secure Children’s Home

Members received information on the young people, information on staff, service planning and development for the period 1 June  – 31 October 2019 (5 months) as detailed in the circulated report.

Following scrutiny, the report be noted.

Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 RISCA 2016

An overview was received on the Regulated Service (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017 report in regard to Hillside Secure Centre, as detailed in the private circulated report.

Following scrutiny, the report be noted.