Dewis eitemau priodol o Agenda Bwrdd y Cabinet ar
gyfer craffu cyn penderfynu (cynhwysir Adroddiadau Bwrdd y Cabinet ar gyfer yr
Aelodau Craffu)
Decision:
Quarterly
Performance Report Quarter 3
Following scrutiny, members noted the report.
Neath
Port Talbot Social Services Strategic Action Plan for
Neurodivergence (Austism and other
conditions) 2024-2027
Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported
to Cabinet Board.
The
Corporate Parenting Charter
Following scrutiny, the recommendation was
supported to Cabinet Board.
Policy
on Financial Contributions for Temporary Accommodation
Following scrutiny, the recommendation was
supported to Cabinet Board.
Minutes:
Quarterly
Performance Report Quarter 3
Members commented that the new Performance
Report layout was difficult to navigate.
The Director of Social Services, Health and
Housing thanked members for the feedback which could be used to review the way
the data is presented. The current report contains corporate presentations and
trend analysis. The Director confirmed it would be helpful to work with
committee members to identify what information would be relevant to the
committee going forward.
The Chair acknowledged that Performance Data
Training sessions had been undertaken for all members but suggested a further
session be arranged to re-visit data pertinent to the committee to aid members
understanding.
Members asked for further clarification
regarding why some data was not suitable for comparison.
The Head of Housing and Communities referred to
the Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) on pages 39-47 of the report and advised
members that items not suitable for comparison had not been reported on in
previous years. The data related to a number of new KPI’s used to monitor new
activity and intended impacts.
The Director commented that work had been
undertaken previously with members to identify how meaningful performance
information could be presented. This work can be re-visited and it would be
useful to have member involvement to steer what information would be helpful to
the committee.
Members referred to page 42 of the report contained
within the agenda pack and asked for further information on the Channel Panel.
The Head of Housing and Communities confirmed
the Channel Panel was a multi-agency group set up to looks at risks associated
with people who may be drawn into terrorist activity. The KPI doesn’t provide a
clear indication of the current situation. In the previous year, the
vulnerability of seven people was reduced following referral to the panel,
however, during this year, there was only one referral. There is a need to review
the KPI going forward to provide a more accurate depiction.
Officers confirmed the Channel Panel sits within
the Community Safety Team; the Community Cohesion Officer provides coordination
to the panel which is chaired by the Principal Officer for Safeguarding.
Referrals can be made to the Channel Panel if low level concerns are raised
about an individual’s behaviour and interests. The county borough is considered
a low risk area and referral numbers are low but it is important to identify
and address concerns. Ongoing work is needed on a corporate level to remind
staff and panel partners, about the referral pathway and the type of help and
support that is available.
Members referred to page 45 of the report
contained within the agenda pack and requested that an item was added to the
Forward Work Programme to outline how households are prevented from presenting
as homeless, to enable members to support residents.
The addition to the Forward Work Programme was
welcomed by the Head of Housing and Communities who noted that Neath Port
Talbot comes just under the national figure of 59%. The KPI reports on people
who are owed a statutory homeless prevention duty. Recent changes in
legislation require longer notice periods from landlords; staff are working
with people earlier, before they are owed the statutory duty. Work is ongoing
to establish how the data can be captured to give a clearer reflection of the
work that is being undertaken.
Following scrutiny, members noted the report.
Neath
Port Talbot Social Services Strategic Action Plan for
Neurodivergence
(Austism and other conditions) 2024-2027
The Chair thanked officers for the report which
was straightforward to read and understand. It was noted that although Social
Services work in partnership with Health and Education, the report relates to
the Social Service provision across Children and Adult Services.
Officers thanked the Chair for their support and
gave a brief overview of the report and proposed consultation process as
detailed within the Cabinet board agenda pack.
The Chair commented that forms can be a barrier
to neurodivergent individuals but the consultation form was open to capture
individual’s views.
Officers confirmed that time was available
before the consultation commenced, to review the form to ensure it was user
friendly for children and young people, and adults with cognitive difficulties
to participate.
Members asked officers to provide further clarification
of the remit of Education and Social Services.
Officers confirmed that Social Services worked
in partnership with Health and Education. The aim of the strategic plan is
purposely wide, and will include children, young people and adults who are
subject to a care managed plan, open on a care and support basis. Work is
undertaken with partners to support young people of school age, to meet their
needs whilst identifying gaps. Some cases come before the Complex Needs Panel
to ensure plans to support young people are appropriate to their specific
needs. Officers noted that there are significant waiting lists within health
for young people waiting for diagnosis and longer waiting lists in adult
services, than there had been in previous years. The Additional Learning Needs
(ALN) Act change has had implications for education. As part of the
consultation, there will be discussions with wider partners and it is hoped
that there will be continued multi agency work to achieve outcomes.
Members referred to data presented on page 99 of
the report and enquired if there are plans to report on lower level needs going
forward.
Officers confirmed that some young people are
being supported through statutory services in community teams and by Team
around the Family. Work is ongoing in regards to early intervention and
prevention. The Children with Disability Team includes two portage workers who
work with young people pre-diagnosis in conjunction with partners.
Members praised officers for their excellent
work in this area and stated more needs to be done to support parent, carers
and families by educating on neurodiverse conditions and the effects on
individuals.
Officers thanked members for their comments and
agreed the importance of awareness raising and training, particularly amongst
council staff to enable support and signposting. Links have already been made
with the fostering community and carers will be considered as part of the
consultation events with links to the Principal Officer Leads for Carers. Principal
Officers are aware of the plan and consideration is given to how families can
be supported taking into account individual needs.
Members agreed that awareness was of extreme
importance not only for families but for all agencies; small adjustments can be
made to benefit neurodivergent individuals.
Officers advised members that the training
developed through Autism Wales (now Neurodivergence Wales) has moved on from
raising awareness to focus on understanding. There is a link contained in the
report to the training modules. A third module is being added in relation to
assessment which may address situations around planning and preparation for
meetings with health professionals. The training modules are available in the
public realm with links to Health/Education/Family/Social Services and
Communities. Other training elements are available and are more targeted for
specific conditions.
Following scrutiny, the recommendation was
supported to Cabinet Board.
The
Corporate Parenting Charter
Officers gave an overview of the report
contained within the Cabinet Board agenda pack.
Following scrutiny, the recommendation was
supported to Cabinet Board.
Policy
on Financial Contributions for Temporary Accommodation
Officers gave an overview of the report
contained within the Cabinet Board agenda pack.
Following scrutiny, the recommendation was
supported to Cabinet Board.