Agenda item

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

The Director of Social Services, Health & Housing, advised members that the performance measures in the report represented the suite of performance information that had been identified for scrutiny. Further data can be provided, if requested by scrutiny.

 

Officers provided members with narrative around each of the measures provided in the report:

 

Measure 1 – Percentage of Adults Successfully Prevented from becoming Homeless
This Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is important to monitor the implementation of improvement measures aimed at increasing prevention and managing demand. Following a restructure in the Housing Options team to enhance prevention support, there has been a notable improvement this year compared to the previous year. Continuous monitoring of these figures is essential to prevent as many people as possible from becoming homeless.

 

Members referred to the percentage figure contained in the report and questioned whether this figure was an increase or decrease.

 

Officers confirmed that the figure is based on the number of people that are owed a statutory homeless prevention duty and the data outlined the successful cases from that number. Further information will be provided to members on the most recent figures.

 

Members noted that including the figures in the report, instead of percentages could reflect successes more accurately.

 

The Director of Social Services, Health and Housing, agreed that in future reports, figures would be included in addition to percentages and longer trend lines would be provided to assist scrutiny.

Measure 2 - Average Number of Days to Deliver a Disabled Facilities Grant from First Point of Contact to Certification

The measure examines the demand and pressure on disabled facility grants. A recent report brought to scrutiny highlighted the budget pressures and long waiting times for necessary aids and adaptations. A number of proposals were suggested to help better manage demand. This KPI is important for assessing the impact of any changes made by officers and the council, to improve access to Disabled Facilities Grants for those most in need.

 

Measure 3 - Commissioning: The Number of Hours of External Domiciliary Care (18 +)

The efficiency of the brokerage system for domiciliary care has outpaced the external market. The report lacks information on the Trem y Glyn reablement unit, which could potentially slow down the transition to residential care and reduce reliance on domiciliary care. By providing a period of reablement, people will be able to return home with either a reduced or no care package.

The data is work in progress and provides information relating to budgeted hours but does not provide the full picture of planned work to counter issues. Further reports will be available in the autumn.

 

Members enquired whether the number of beds planned for Trem Y Glyn was sufficient.

 

Officers advised that analysis has been undertaken in relation to the number of beds required, based on models in neighbouring authorities. The model is correct for the needs of the population, however, if demand increases this can be revisited.

 

Measure 4 - Integrated Community Services: The Number of People in Care Homes (Residential & Nursing) 18+

The number of people placed in residential and nursing care has increased by thirty, resulting in an unbudgeted financial pressure of £1.5m.

Measure 5 - Number of Children Looked After

The Head of Children and Young People's Services, advised members of the decline in the number of children requiring care, emphasising robust early intervention and preventative services. The importance of providing support to foster carers and rehabilitating children back home, was highlighted. For older children, the preference is for planned returns home rather than unplanned ones, which can lead to poor outcomes. The target for continued reduction is achievable. Officers commented on the success of the transformation programme, reaching the target for step-down carers for children in residential care. Officers can provide members with more information concerning the positive outcomes, if appropriate.

 

The committee agreed that going forward, performance data could be presented by charts, with a verbal briefing provided by officers, at the meeting to stimulate debate. This approach can be adapted going forward, if necessary.

Measure 6 – Number of Children on the Child Protection Register

The Head of Children and Young People's Services, noted that historically, the number of children on the Child Protection Register has been very high. This has diminished the effectiveness of social workers and support plans, for families requiring a written child protection plan, for a child suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. Work has been undertaken with partners and the Conference Review Service to reassess thresholds and the definition of significant harm. Previously, children were included on the Child Protection Register due to partners mistakenly believing it was necessary to receive social services support. The ongoing collaboration with partners and internal efforts, has resulted in a confident workforce, strong relationships with partners, and the inclusion on the register of only those children who meet the criteria.

Officers explained that while the number appears to be rising, it is important to consider the trajectory over the past 18 months. The number naturally fluctuates, and the recent increase is within the expected range of common cause variation. There is no indication of any specific issue in practice, and this will be continually monitored. Currently, the number has decreased to seventy-four, showing that the number remains relatively constant over time.

 

The Director of Social Services, Health & Housing discussed the importance of providing more detailed information on children placed on the Child Protection Register. It was suggested that the data was broken down into categories such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. This detailed breakdown would offer more insight. The committee agreed to this suggestion for future reports.

Measure 7 – Number of Children Receiving Care & Support

The Head of Children and Young People's Services emphasised the importance of providing early support to families in need, rather than taking a harder line, which can lead to worsening situations. It was noted that the number of families needing support has increased since COVID-19, with many families now seeking help who previously would not have. The current number of families receiving support is about half of what it was in 2012.

Officers provided further detail on the wide range of support available to families, wherever they sit within the service. The support focuses on parenting, this could involve helping to improve routines, boundaries, supporting families to get children back into school, reintroducing families into community activities, helping families with their home conditions and supporting families to plan and cook healthy meals. There are close links with Flying Start provisions, childcare, nursery groups, mother and baby groups and libraries for early intervention work.

 

The service supports young people's emotional well-being through group and individual programmes aimed at improving confidence, self-esteem, and overall well-being. These programmes also encourage participation in community activities, especially important post-COVID. Work is undertaken with partners in Community Safety and the Youth Service to physically support young people in engaging with their communities. Support is provided to improve home conditions for children and young people, including healthy eating and managing teenage behaviour to help young people stay with their families. Techniques such as non-violent resistance (NVR) parenting are used, relationship-based play, and mediation to enhance parent-child relationships. The support offered is tailored to each family's needs, utilising staff skills creatively to ensure comprehensive assistance.

 

Members asked whether support given to families around recycling and waste, was provided by Social Services or the Waste team.

 

Officers confirmed that work is undertaken with different departments within the authority. There are close links with the waste department, to ensure that families have the appropriate information and equipment relating to waste and recycling collections.

 

The Director of Social Services, Health & Housing, advised members that the data is collated because Children's Services had faced significant challenges previously when the system became overwhelmed. It was expected that figures would fall between 600 and 750 but if this were to rise, it would indicate increased pressure on social workers, reduced service responsiveness, and potential system overload. Therefore, it is essential to monitor these figures moving forward.

 

Officers informed members that Team Around the Family was a separate, growing team, linked with Families First and provided early intervention and prevention. Families receiving care and support can step down to Team around the Family for ongoing assistance, and step back up if needed. The number of children supported by Team around the Family can be provided, upon request. This team offers an additional layer of support before statutory services are involved, ensuring a continuous flow of assistance.

 

Measure 8 – Percentage of Re-registrations on the Child Protection Register

Officers confirmed that there was only one re-registration over the course of the last year. When a child is removed from the Child Protection Register, it is a multi-agency decision. The manager and data systems flag certain cases, which are then discussed for learning opportunities which are feedback across the service and partnership. This helps in understanding and managing risk moving forward, making it an important marker to monitor closely.

 

Members questioned how long the child was removed from the Child Protection Register before re-registration.

This information was not available, but Officers will arrange for this to be circulated to the committee.

The Chair reiterated the importance of this measure, to monitor trends.

 

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.