Minutes:
The
Committee scrutinised the following Cabinet Board items:
Cabinet
Board Proposals
Western
Bay Youth Offending Service Report From HM
Inspectorate of Probation
The
Committee received an overview of the Western Bay Youth Offending Service Report
from HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMI), as detailed in the circulated report.
Clarification
was given that the report was for Member’s information and no decision was
required today. An action plan had been
developed from the recommendations contained within the HMI report and the
progress against the action plan would be brought to a future meeting of Social
Care, Health and Housing Cabinet Board to enable Members to monitor the
effectiveness of the mitigating measures put in place.
Discussion
took place on the areas of positivity contained within the report on how staff
were very child focused, and spoke warmly of the children and young people with
whom they interacted and worked to achieve the best outcomes. The Committee asked that the positives should
be highlighted to staff not just the areas of concern contained within the
report.
Concern
was expressed at the Management Boards lack of awareness of what was happening
within the Western Bay Youth Offending Service.
Officers explained that performance data presented to the Board was
indicating a positive picture of the service with no issues of concern. As a result of the inspection it was
identified that there were a number of areas that were causing difficulties
within the team. Staff remuneration,
risk thresholds and the Information Technology systems were not consistent and
there was no link with Children’s Services.
The
Director of Social Services, Health and Housing identified the measures that
had been instigated as a result of the Inspection and explained that the
management of the Youth Offending Team had been brought into Children’s
Services and the monitoring for performance would be undertaken by Members of
the Social Care, Health and Housing Cabinet Board.
Discussion
took place on the lack of support identified in the HMI report given by
partners who were also members of the Western Bay Youth Offending Service
Management Board. Members were reassured,
that as a result of the report, a commitment had been given by Swansea Bay
Health Board to prioritize young people/children who needed to access mental
health services.
Members
identified the need to invite the Education representative who sat on the Management
Board to attend Committee the next time a report was submitted on the Western
Bay Youth Offending Service Management Board.
This was requested by Members to enable them to gain an understanding of
how children/young people subject to a referral to the Youth Offending Service
received education and what additional support was in place, whether data was
held on the numbers of exclusions, statements and the numbers of young
people/children subject to reduced school hours.
In
response to Members concerns in relation to safeguarding issues identified in
the HMI report. Officers explained that
a review of safeguarding was taking place by an external reviewer and that a
report would be brought to a future meeting of Social Care, Health and
Wellbeing Cabinet Board.
Following
scrutiny, the report was noted.
Deferred
Payments Policy
Members
received an overview of the Deferred Payments Policy, as detailed in the
circulated report.
The
Committee received confirmation that an easy read version would accompany the
Policy.
Discussion
took place on the various scenarios that could arise in relation to receiving a
deferred payment.
Confirmation
was given to Members that Officers would clarify the criteria in regard to
eligibility for the 12 weeks deferred payment in the Policy.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by
Cabinet Board.
Social
Services, Health and Housing – Staff Survey 2019
The
Committee received an overview of the Social Services, Health and Housing,
Staff Survey 2019, as detailed in the circulated report.
Members
were pleased that the survey had been undertaken but disappointed in the low
numbers of surveys returned. It was
highlighted that staff were encouraged to complete surveys but due to the short
timescale between this survey and the one circulated by the Care and Social
Services Inspectorate for Wales, as part of their inspection, this was not
possible at this time. In addition, work
was being undertaken to look at the various ways of engaging with all staff for
future surveys other than just via electronic means.
Discussion
took place on the positive outcomes of the survey and noted that staff felt
valued, enjoyed their work and that Neath Port Talbot was a good Council to
work for. Also discussed was the importance of sharing the feedback with staff
and whether the outcomes resulted in changes which would encourage staff to
participate in future surveys.
Following
Scrutiny, the report was noted.