Agenda and minutes

The Chair advised that the Committee will scrutinise Cabinet Board items as identified.

There were no declarations of interest received.

To defer the approval of the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th September 2021 to a future meeting of the committee.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st October 2021 as a true and accurate record.

Their Chair thanked officers for providing the report. Members recognised the hard work of staff at all level in adult social care and wished to recognise their sustained work in this area.

From the report provided Members understood that in exceptional circumstances family member could get paid through direct payments to looks after family. Members wished to query if this had been explored in detail given the exceptional circumstances that we are currently operating in. Officers confirmed that this was currently being undertaken and the majority of direct payments are family members and PA’s.

Members wished to confirm who looks after patients that are ready to be discharged and are in the Exit Lounge waiting for transportation. Officers confirmed that this was the responsibility of health staff.

Members noted that the report outlined the difficulty that staff were experiencing in finding placements and care packages for people with dementia. Members queried what would happen in the circumstances where such care cannot be provided. Officers confirmed that fortunately this had not been experienced to date, however should it happen it would likely result in readmission to hospital.

Officers were asked to explain what a Local Community Co-Ordination Hub was and if they were working. Members were informed that this item relates to multi-disciplinary meetings to consider the discharge of patients. However officers could not elaborate further as this item relates to guidance provided to health authorities.

It was noted in the report that once discharged, a service-user should receive a visit within one day of discharged to determine what support is required within the community and rapidly arrange for that to be put in place. Officers confirmed that this does take place and officers are part of a daily meeting to discuss the outcomes of these visits.

Members noted the report.

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

Final Letter and Joint Action Plan Following the Joint Inspection of Child Protection Arrangements (JICPA) Across Neath & Port Talbot (NPT)

The Chair welcomed and outlined the number of positives within the report. The positives outlined included the positive and proactive approach to safeguarding and also the share ethos with the third sector. The report refers to the good conduit of information flowing between Barnado’s, the police and social services. The staff are also reporting on good leadership within the service. The Local Authority is being described as being forward thinking and they are testing new ways of working.

Contextual safeguarding is an approach to understand and respond to a young person’s experiences of harm and risk outside the family home. It expands the objectives of the current child protection system which has been focused on harm and risk within the home. Contextual safeguarding recognises that this harm and risk can also occur outside the home and the approach does look beyond the parents.

The report highlighted the need to improve co-production of safety plans with young people, members asked this to be explained. A comprehensive action plan has been developed and there is a specific action plan to look at how to engage young people and parents as early as possible.

Page 26 of the report criticises the police for their use of ‘no apparent immediate risk (NAIRA)’ and it also refers to lack of communication. Members queried who is responsible for ensuring that the criticism of the police is addressed and will progress on this be reported back to the committee.  Detective Chief Inspector Llewelyn responded to the item. NAIRA is a category of missing to try and break demand and look at more effective ways of safe guarding young people. The pilot scheme in South Wales Police was a great success, but there are criticisms and areas for development. The NAIRA process and overarching response to missing is currently being considered. South Wales Police are assessing it, and also academic partners who are also experts in the field are looking at how this can be effectively developed and improved.

Members asked what was meant by coordinated police disruption tactics. It was confirmed these can be used to protect young people who the police consider may be at risk of exploitation and harm. It was confirmed that the police have been extremely proactive in identifying the adults who may cause the harm or exploitation and disrupting it by arresting them and enabling them to be removed from the community. This essentially assists in causing the disruption required. It is important that the young person has the opportunity to remain within the community where they can be supported.

Members queried how officers will address the concerns raised about the lack of evidence of the shared implementation and review of safety plans. Officers gave assurance to Members that all children’s plans are working live documents that involve children, families and partners that are being coproduced by them also. However officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To note for information.

Any urgent items (whether public or exempt) at the discretion of the Chairperson pursuant to Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Director’s Annual Report was raised as an urgent item. Members expressed their discontent at receiving the report less than 48 hours prior to the meeting. However, Members determined not to scrutinise the item. If Members wish to raise any questions in relation to the report they should be sent directly to the Director with all other Members of the Scrutiny Committee copied into the email.

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.

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.

Members received an update report on The Regulated Service (Service providers and responsible individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017 and Hillside Secure Children’s Home.

The Committee noted the report.