Minutes:
The
Committee scrutinised the following items:
Cabinet
Board Proposals
3.1
Young Carers Strategy Annual Year 1
The
Committee received information in relation to the Young Carers Strategy Annual
Year 1 as contained within the report.
Members
referred to the Young Carers Strategy and queried whether there was any data
available which could give percentage figures of the attendance at the focus
groups. Officers explained that they did not have the information to hand, but
would circulate it to the Committee outside the meeting.
Members
queried what the golden thread system was. Officers informed Members that this
was a phrase used to describe how something was tracked from conception to its
end.
Members
questioned if there was any extra help that could be offered to young carers
whilst they were undertaking their exams. Officers stated that this was
something that was being looked at. Officers informed Members that the
education establishments would refer pupils into the service where a lesson plan
would be developed with individuals. Officers explained that a pilot was due to
begin in September for first year and GCSE year pupils, with the intention of
rolling it out to all years eventually.
Members
questioned whether it was possible to have performance data in relation young
carers on a quarterly basis. Officers agreed to provide the information on a
quarterly basis.
Following
scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.
3.2 Occupation of 36 Forge
Road by Dyffryn Children’s Community Team.
The
Committee received information on the Occupation of 36 Forge Road by Dyffryn Children’s Community Team as contained within the
circulated report.
Members
questioned how long was the lease for and how often would it be reviewed.
Officers explained that the lease states until 2020 and would be reviewed
annually.
Members
queried whether staff had full use of the facility. Officers confirmed that
this was the case.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee were supportive of the proposal to be considered at Cabinet
Board.
3.3 – Quarterly Performance
Management Data 2017/18 - Quarter 4
Performance
(1st April 2017 – 31st March 2018) – (Adults)
The
Committee received information in relation to Quarterly Performance Management
Data 2017/18 Quarter 4
Performance
(1st April 2017 – 31st March 2018) (Adults) as contained within the circulated
report.
Members
queried with regards to homelessness, and whether changes to Universal Credit
was having a detrimental effect on this. Officers explained that this was
having a negative effect as the dynamics had changed. Officers explained that
private sector landlords were reluctant to wait five weeks for Universal Credit
as they preferred to receive rent money sooner. Members queried what was being
done to address the matter. Officers stated that they were currently working
with Housing Benefits, Department of Works and Pensions and they had a member
of staff based in the job centre to provide advice. Officers explained that
these were long term issues.
Members
referred to HOS/003 and HOS/005 on p.41 where the number of households for
which homelessness was successfully relieved, and stated that the percentages
for quarter four in 2016/17 compared to quarter four in 2017/18 were
misleading, as there had been a significant rise in the number of instances in
quarter four in 2017/18. Members queried why there had been such an increase in
demand for the service. Officers stated that the stage in which people were
seeking assistance had changed, and was left until a lot later in the process
when there was a real risk of homelessness. Officers informed Members that they
were working with Supporting People service in order to attempt to identify
households who were at risk sooner in order to provide assistance sooner.
Officers stated that there was a homeless system review taking place which
would inform a new homelessness strategy. Officers added that there was lot of
emphasis on prevention work and working with multi agencies.
Members
referred to the number of adults who received a service through a social
enterprise which was zero, and queried how this was recorded. Officers
acknowledged that the service needed to improve the way it captured and logged
information, and stated that they would work on this.
Members
referred to indicator P1/2 and P1/2(i) on p.37 and
questioned why the number of carers that received assessments did not always
have a support plan. Officers explained that many carers received support
plans, but a service is also provided directly to the person being cared for
which on occasions eliminates the need for the carer to receive a support plan
in their own right, Members queried why the information was measured in this
way. Officers stated that this was specified through Welsh Government guidance.
Members asked could this be recorded in a different way. Officers stated that
they would look into this and report back to the Committee.
Members
queried how long did it take for carers to receive an assessment, and were
officers happy with the figures. Officers explained that this area appeared to
be under performing and that they would analyse the information further and
bring back a position statement to the Committee.
Members
asked how many carers were being supported through respite. Officers stated
that they would bring a report back on the matter. Members asked why was there
a 12 weeks wait between Social Work Assessments and Direct Payment requests.
Officers stated that they would look into the matter further and circulate a
response to the Committee Members via e-mail after the meeting.
Members
questioned why there was a large increase in referrals to the Gateway Team in
January. Officers stated there was often a bottle neck effect following the
Christmas period, and work had been carried out earlier in the year to analyse
the information and to look at delayed transfers of care.
Members
referred to Measure 21 on p.40 and queried whether the decrease in the number
calendar days spent by adults in residential care homes was an actual
improvement or was this due to lack of vacancies. Officers explained that in
some areas finding vacancies for adults was at times problematic, but generally
the reduction in calendar days spent at care homes was due to other services
that were being offered to clients which kept them in their homes and helped
them maintain independence for longer.
Members
commended staff on the progress that had been made for the quarter four period,
and for the increase in the number of compliments.
Following
scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.
3.4
Monitoring the Performance and Progress of the Western Bay Regional Adoption
Service.
The
Committee received information in relation to the Performance and Progress of
the Western Bay Regional Adoption Service.
Members
questioned how the system identified children for adoption. Officers explained
that the Authority worked hard with parents to keep children and families
together. Officers stated that children were only removed from their families
when there was a risk to their safety.
Members
queried how successful was the matching process for children and potential
parents, and what happened when matches were unsuccessful. Officers explained
that the statistics only identified the matches that had gone forward
successfully. Officers stated that social workers and other agencies were
involved in discussions with regards to matching, which was based on a child’s
needs and whether the adopters could meet the child’s needs.
Members
queried what AUK stood for, what did letterbox and inter agency mean. Officers
stated AUK stood for Adoption UK, letterbox referred to the arrangements made
with adopted families and birth families, and inter agencies referred to
placements that were purchased from external agencies.
Members
queried of the 88 children on the waiting list were there any siblings,
Officers explained that there were siblings included, but siblings were usually
adopted together, Officers stated that siblings were only split up if a
placement could not be found for all children after a long period of time.
It
was agreed that an all member seminar on adoption will be set up and a date to
be arranged.
Following
scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.