Minutes:
The
Committee chose to scrutinise the following Cabinet ard items:
Care
Inspectorate Wales and Health Inspectorate Wales Inspection of Older Adults Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
A.Rowlings, Care Inspectorate for Wales, addressed committee giving and overview
of the outcome of the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and Health Inspectorate
Wales (HIW) Inspection of Older Adults Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
(NPTCBC) as detailed in the circulated report.
The
Inspection identified that a considerable amount of work that had been
undertaken by the Directorate and that the Directorate was going in the right
direction. Neath Port Talbot was one of
the first local authorities to be part of the new format for Inspections. The new Inspections compare the progress
against the requirements of the Social Services and Well-being Act 2014
(SSWBA).
Members
received confirmation that the inspection was led by CIW and delivered in
collaboration with Healthcare Inspectorate (HIW), who have seen the
report. In addition, in October a report
would be presented containing details of all inspections which would be
considered by Welsh Government.
Discussion
took place on the numerous work streams that are undertaken between health and
social services, health and housing. One
of which was the remodelling of adults services, which would base health and
social services in community teams. A
report on the proposals would be presented to Members at the next meeting.
Members
queried what the reason was for the delay in undertaken assessments prior to
hospital. In addition, why were some patients discharge without an assessment being
completed. Officers explained that
social services and health work closely to ensure that all assessments are
undertaken. In some cases due to the
changing long term needs of the patient the assessment has to be undertaken at
home. CIW confirmed that during the
Inspection no unsafe discharges from hospital had been identified.
Concern
was expressed at the inconsistencies in contacting individuals/families and
involving them in the safeguarding process.
It was explained that the Safeguarding Service has developed an action
plan to address these areas. An update
report would be brought to a future meeting for Members consideration.
Discussion
took place on the process for receiving referrals from the public, partner
agencies and members of the council. All
referrals were logged and forwarded to the appropriate team. The system also
has the ability to track all referrals. An all Member Seminar was being
arranged to brief Members.
Members
asked what action was being taken to address the issues made by Social Workers
of their lack of confidence in deciding whether they undertake a carers assessment or whether to refer to the Carers Service
for them to undertake the assessment with the carer. This would give the opportunity to the carer
to have the assessment undertaken by someone who was not involved with the service
user. Officers acknowledged this was an
area that needed further improvement but a lot of work had been undertaken to consult
with carers. Coffee mornings had taken
place with carers and a strategy group was being developed to involve young
carers. Members noted that the Cabinet
Member for Adult Social Services and Health was the Carers Champion and was
involved in all the initiatives with Carers and was fully supportive.
Members
were reassured that 20 minute calls were not taking place for personal care
homecare visits. The only 20 minute
calls were to administer medication. A
homecare review was currently taking place and would be reported to Members
when complete. The review would
encompass working with partner agencies to combat loneliness.
Following
scrutiny, the report was noted.
Care
Inspectorate Wales Local Authority Performance Review
Members
received an overview of the Care Inspectorate for Wales (CIW) Local Authority
Performance Review Letter. It summarised
the review of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council’s performance in
carrying out its statutory social services functions as detailed in the
circulated report.
Members
asked for clarification from the (CIW) Inspector in regard to prevention and
early intervention and outcome focused practice which was identified as being a
challenge for some staff. It was
explained that during the inspection it was acknowledged that training and
support had been given to all staff. A
small number of staff needed additional support to adapt to the new way of
working which was a complete cultural change.
The
committee queried what the issues were in regard to monitoring Deprivation of
Liberties cases. It was explained, that
all local authorities in Wales, were experiencing difficulties in assuring
themselves that people’s human rights were not being breached, when depriving
individuals of their liberty.
CIW
also explained that this issue was raised in every inspection report so that
the Welsh Government are made aware of the lack of legislation around the use
of Deprivation of Liberties.
Members
thanked A. Rowling (CIW) for all the support and assistance she had given the
Directorate.
West
Glamorgan Safeguarding Boards Joint Annual Business Plan 2019/20
Members
received an overview of the West Glamorgan Safeguarding Boards Joint Annual
Business Plan 2019/20 as detailed in the circulated report. The Business Plan was published on the 31
March 2019. The plan encompasses
both safeguarding priorities for Adults and Children.
In
response to a number of Members queries.
Officers explained that the Board was made up from partner agencies and
covered the areas of Neath Port Talbot and Swansea. The Chair of the Board was Neath Port
Talbot’s Director of Social Services, Health and Housing. The Board was responsible for reviewing the
performance of the Board and its partners in carrying out its functions and
objectives in safeguarding children and adults at risk. In addition, the Board’s work and performance
was subject to scrutiny from Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and the
City and County of Swansea. Also, the
Annual Business Plan was submitted to the National Safeguarding Board but
further discussion was needed on how the Local Safeguarding Board fed into the
National Board.
Concern
was expressed that there were no performance indicators to show progress or
not. It was highlighted that an action
plan had been developed which identified performance indicators that needed to
be progressed. An update report on the
progress of the action plan would be brought for Members consideration in due
course.
Following
scrutiny, the committee was supportive of the proposals being considered by
Cabinet Board.
Children
and Young People and Adult Services –
Full
Year (2018-19) Performance Report
Members
were provided with the Performance Information and Complaints & Compliments
Data for both Children and Young People and Adult Services for the Full Year
Period (April 2018 – March 2019) as detailed in the circulated report.
In
answer to Members queries, the only indicators that had targets are the
indicators that were in the Corporate Plan.
Following
scrutiny, the report was noted.