Minutes:
The
Committee scrutinised the following matters:-
Cabinet
Board Proposals
Report from the Children and Young
People Services Improvement
Member Panel on the Social Work Teams 2015/16
Cllr.L.H.James, Cllr.A.R.Woolcock, and Cllr.J.D.Morgan
(Committee Member) attended today’s meeting to give an overview of the visits
they undertook with the Social Work Teams within 2015/16 as detailed in the
circulated report.
Officers said that the Improvement Member Panel was leading
the way in Wales and has been very effective in engaging with staff. Also, it has been a very important part of
the Improvement Plan and that the Care Social Services Inspectorate for Wales
had highlighted the work that the Panel had undertaken as a very important part
of the progress Children’s Services has made.
Chairperson, thanked the Panel for all they work they had
undertaken.
Members also noted that the Panel asked that their
appreciation be forwarded to Ms.C.Gadd who had
provided support to the Panel since it was established.
Following Scrutiny, the report was noted.
Welsh in Education Strategic Plan
(Permission to Consult)
The Committee received an overview of the Welsh in
Education Strategic Plan (WESP) 2017-2020 as detailed in the circulated report.
Members noted that the (WESP) 2017-2020 after the
Consultation has been completed on the 30th December 2016 will
return to Children, Young People and Education Cabinet Board on the 25th
January 2017 with the results of the consultation.
Members were concerned that the authority needed to start
preparing work if it is to achieve the targets set by the Welsh Government of a
million Welsh Speakers by 2050 and that the WESP should contain more detail of
how its going to achieve
these targets.
Members asked whether consideration had been given to the
contents of a survey undertaken in 2013 that identified an increased need for
additional Welsh Medium School places and Nursery School places. Also, the schools location is important in
encouraging pupils to attend Welsh Medium Schools.
Officers confirmed that they would consider the results of
the survey and note the issues raised today.
In addition, Officers are happy to meet with Members to discuss their
concerns.
It was also confirmed that Members of the Public are part
of the consultation and that paper copies are provided to schools to enable
parents to be involved. In addition
partners and groups as detailed in the circulated report are also consulted on
the WESP.
Members asked whether there was additional funding
available from the Welsh Government as part of the implementation of the
WESP. Officer confirmed that this has
been raised with the Welsh Government.
Officer gave a verbal clarification to the recommendations
contained within the circulated report as follows:
That approval be granted to go out for consultation on the Welsh in
Education Strategic Plan 2017-2020 for eight weeks commencing the beginning of
November until December 30th 2016.
Following Scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the
proposals being considered by Cabinet Board.
Western Bay Youth Offending Board Quarter 1 Data Report
Members received an overview of the Western Bay Youth
Offending Board Quarter 1 Data Report for the period April 2016 to June 2016 as
detailed in the circulated report.
It was highlighted that since Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot
and Swansea Youth Offending Teams merged in 2014 performance has been overall
good and there has been a reduction of children and young people entering the
Youth Justice Service due to the work undertaken to reduce First Time Entrants.
In addition, a pilot has been developed between Hillside
and South Wales Police NPT locality team to reduce the number of children and
young people being arrested as a result of their challenging behaviour. After the pilot has been evaluated it will
feed into a protocol for Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea.
It was highlighted
that a variety of work streams are being developed to reduce re-offending within
a small number of young offenders which should in future show an improvement in
this area.
Members asked whether there had been any concerns to the
service in the light of the vacant post in the Child, Adolescent Mental Health
Service (CAMHS) Service within the team.
Officer explained that no one had been appointed by ABMU to the vacant
post within the team but that ABMU was carrying out a scoping exercise and that
information will be available after that identifying what the needs are and
what mitigating measures are being put in place. A progress report on CAMHS will be brought to a future
Scrutiny Committee for Members consideration.
It was also queried if the School Beat Policy is monitored
by the Youth Offending Team (YOT). Officers said that the YOT is aware of the
policy and the Youth Offending Team and schools work closely together which has
been very effective.
Following Scrutiny, the report was noted.
Workforce Profile – Children and Young People Service
The Committee received an overview of the Workforce Profile
of Children and Young People Services as detailed in the circulated report.
It was highlighted that presently there are no concerns
relating to the workforce within Childrens’ Services
and that the improvements have continued with only one vacancy within the
service and three agency workers who are employed to cover maternity
leave. Morale was very high within the
service. A staff survey questionnaire
has been circulated within the service and the results of the survey will be
brought back to Committee in due course.
Members asked what was the
circumstances that prevented exit interviews being undertaken with some
staff. Officers explained that staff who leave on certain criteria for example ill health
are not expected to complete the exit interview.
Officers also, confirmed for Members that there is a
discount scheme already available for all staff to access.
Following Scrutiny, the report was noted.