Minutes:
The
Committee scrutinised the following items:
Cabinet
Board Proposals
4.1
Director’s Annual Report
The Committee received information in relation to
the Director’s Annual Report as contained within the circulated report.
Members congratulated officers on a very positive
report but commented that should the report not contain the difficulties that
the directorate is facing in the current economic climate.
Members also thanked officers for the careful
financial planning and asked whether any underspends are kept within the
directorate.
Officers confirmed that the
underspend was kept within the directorate
and contributed to any savings required.
Members asked what geographical areas do the Local
Area Co-ordinators cover.
Officers explained that the aim is to have a Local
Area Coordinator across every area of
NPT. An additional post has recently been recruited to so there are 6 across
the Neath Port Talbot area
Members also queried what happens in the areas that
are not covered by a Local Area Co-ordinator, Officers explained that the
service is still available in those areas but the role of the Local Area
Co-ordinator is to underpin those services.
Members asked if there was any data available on
the impact and outcome of the Local Area Co-ordinator pilot areas, Officers
explained that data is currently being gathered across the pilot areas with
work being undertaken to develop a data base to ensure all information will be
available in future.
Members asked why on the satisfaction responses 72
carers assessment were undertaken but none received support, Officers explained
that Carers could be offered a variety of support from different organisation.
The assessment could identify the need for a sitting service which would be
provided by the third sector but that would not show up on system. Discussion
are currently taking place with our partners in the third sector on how we
could record this information for all to access.
Members asked if the word promoted contained within the document on Page 23 could be changed
because it suggests that the Carers Assessment is not a statutory requirement
of the Local Authority. Officers
explained that the word promotion was used to promote the rights of carers to
have the assessment but agreed that an alternative would be found to replace
promoted.
Members asked if the All Wales Comparative data
could be brought to Committee to enable Members to be able to compare Neath
Port Talbot with other Local Authorities., Officers explained that no All Wales
Data has been received from the Welsh Government and previously the data has
been 2 – 3 years old by the time of receipt. Officers confirmed that they will
speak to Welsh Government to find out the current position and highlight the
need to have this comparative data. In
addition Members asked that the Cabinet Members present today raise with the
Welsh Government.
In relation to The Rapid Adaptation Grants Scheme,
members asked how quickly is very quickly. Officers explained they will email
members with the information.
Members referred to the Performance
Measure/Indicator table on Page 37 and asked Officers if they could confirm if
the 2017/18 and 2016/17 data was the correct
as the columns seemed to be the wrong way round.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report
be noted.
4.2 Western Bay Youth Justice and Early Intervention Annual Plan
2018-2019
The Committee received information in relation to
the Western Bay Youth Justice and Early Intervention Annual Plan 2018-2019 as
detailed in the circulated report.
Members asked why the Annual Plan was being brought
to Committee for approval when the plan has already been in place for 6 months.
Officers explained that the timescale was not ideal but due to changes with one
of the Western Bay partners the plan had been delayed and the plan has to go
through a number of different approval processes for each Local Authority
within the Western Bay.
Members asked in future that the Annual Plan be
brought to Committee in a more timely manner.
Members asked what plans were in place to deal with
the transition period and after when Bridgend leaves the Western Bay
Partnership.
Officers explained that with the retirement of the
existing Western Bay Youth Justice and Early Intervention Manager a new manager
has been recruited and has already commenced work to manage this transition
period by the end of the financial year. A report will be brought to the next
meeting to update Members on impact of the changes.
Members asked if the cohort of young people with
behavioural issues was getting smaller but that the type of issues was getting
more difficult, Officers explained that yes, the preventative work was having
an effect on reducing the numbers of young people but the issues of a smaller
number of young people were getting more difficult. In addition, the work of the Pre-Court
Diversion Panel was also effective in reducing the numbers escalating.
Members asked if there was data available
identifying the numbers of young people involved with the Youth Justice Service
who were statemented, Officers explained that information is not available but
there are a significant number in the autistic spectrum within the total figures.
Work is ongoing to ensure that young people are kept in education, training or
employment and an additional officer has been recruited to work with schools to
ensure that young people do not become NEET.
Members also asked if there was data available on
how many young people were from Neath Port Talbot, Officers explained that
Swansea has a higher number of young people with the Youth Justice Service but
Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend are on par.
In addition, the number of cases currently with Western Bay Youth
Justice is 72 but previously in 2008/09 there were 807 young people accessing a
service from Youth Justice.
Members asked for clarification as it states in the
circulated report that there was no financial impact on the local authority
resulting from this years plan but further on its
states that there had been an increase in remand costs to NPT in the last
financial year. How were Officers going to ensure that this does not happen
again, Officers explained that previously when young people became remanded
from court they became Looked After so there was a cost to the Local Authority
but now other options are now being put before Courts which keep young people
in the community but deprive them of the opportunities to re-offend.
Members asked for details of the Music Project,
Officers explained that there are a number of different projects that young
people can access, one of which is Music which has had a positive outcome. It was highlighted that Members were welcome
to visit the Centre if wished. In
addition, a lot of the projects are supported by Volunteers. It has been difficult to retain volunteers
some of whom are students, once they gain the relevant experience in relation
to the course they are undertaking they stop volunteering. Western Bay has 3 co-ordinators who are
responsible for Training who are continuing to promote Volunteering.
Members asked what the prerequisite to become a
Volunteer was and are there any ex-offenders that volunteer, Officers explained
that volunteers have a variety of experiences but few are ex-offenders.
Following scrutiny, the Committee were supportive
of the proposals to be considered at Cabinet Board.
4.3 Children and Young People Services – 1st Quarter
(2018-19) Performance Report
The Committee received information in relation to
the Children and Young People Services – 1st Quarter (2018-19)
Performance as detailed in the circulated report.
Members asked why are child assessments not being
completed on time? Also, what was the
legal timeframe was it 10 days or 42 days?
Officers explained that there had been a drop in
performance with regards to the timeliness of child assessments being undertaken.
Officers were presently looking at the reason behind this but that the quality
of the assessment has remained good.
There had been some staff sickness which could be a contributory
factor. In regard to the timescale it
was 10 days for initial assessments and 42 days for more indepth
assessments if they were required.
Officers confirmed that these targets are for Welsh Government but the
service strives for 100% and will continue to work towards.
Members asked whether these targets were mandatory
targets. Officers explained that they
are mandatory because it’s an instruction from the Director.
Members queried whether the number of cases 25 held
by the Disability Team was manageable, It was
explained that previously it had been 30 cases but due to close monitoring the
cases have reduced but the number of cases held depends on the complexity of
the needs of the service user. The more
cases with complex needs the less cases will be held by the Social Worker.
Members referred to the graph in relation to the
case closures and asked if the cases are being monitored on how many are
reopened, Officers explained these are monitored very closely.
Members asked whether there was still an issue with
attendance by partners at Child Protection Conferences, Officers explained that
there was an issue with receiving reports in time for the Conference but the
Case Conferences secretaries spend a lot of time ensuring that the invites are
sent on with enough notice and that reports are received in time. No adverse issues had been highlighted to the
Director if there had been the Director would raise at a high level with the
partner organisation.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report
be noted.
4.4 Quarterly Performance Management Data 2018/19 – Quarter 1
Performance (1st April 2018 - 30th June 2018)
The Committee received information in relation to
the Quarterly Performance Management Data 2018/19 – Quarter 1 Performance (1st
April 2018 – 30th June 2018) as detailed in the circulated report.
Members asked how many delayed transfers of care
are caused by difficulty in finding a domiciliary care package, Officers
explained there are 5 people awaiting care package, also members asked how many
caused by inability to find a care home placement, Officers mentioned there is
1 person.
Members asked with regards to the carers report,
how are the 3rd sector figures being recorded, Officers confirmed
they will email the figures to members.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report
be noted.
4.5
Commissioning of Learning Disability
Services
The Committee received information in relation to
the Commissioning of Learning Disability Services as detailed in the circulated
report.
Members asked what was meant by Closer to Home
Schemes, Officers explained the aim is to bring service users who are currently
residing in out of county placements to reside closer to home. A more strategic approach is being developed
to ensure this takes place that was why the commissioning will be undertaken
separately from other schemes due to the specialist nature of the provision.
Following scrutiny, the Committee were supportive
of the proposals to be considered at Cabinet Board.