Agenda item

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Measure 1 – Percentage of households Successfully Prevented from Becoming Homeless

Members questioned the reason why the figures decreased at the start of 2024.

 

The Head of Housing and Communities reported an increase in the number of people prevented from becoming homeless over the past year. Local authorities have a statutory duty to help prevent homelessness within 56 days of a person becoming homeless. Due to a team restructure and new legislation requiring landlords to give six months' notice, authorities are now intervening earlier, preventing homelessness before a statutory duty is owed. This proactive approach has led to more effective prevention of homelessness.

 

Officers confirmed that there is a focus on early intervention work. A report was being developed and will be brought back to committee at a later date.

 

 

Measure 6 – Number of Children on the Child Protection Register

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

Members were concerned at the increase in emotional abuse; the data will assist members in monitoring this going forward.

 

Members asked for further information in relation to the decrease for January to March 2023. With reference to the table on page 104 of the report, there was one re registration on the child protection register for the same time period. Members enquired if the number of children on the child protection register were all new to social services.

 

The Director of Social Services, Health & Housing advised members that the children would not be new to Social Services, but they might be new on the child protection register.

 

Officers clarified that the re-registration data reflects those children that have previously been on the child protection register and have then had another period of registration.

 

 

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

Members asked for clarity concerning the term ‘first point of contact’.

 

Officers confirmed that the first point of contact was the point at which a member of the public contacted the authority.

 

Members commented that the figures had improved; previously there had been a three-year waiting list.

 

Members enquired if a priority system was in place for the most urgent cases.

Officers confirmed that the Occupational Therapists assessed cases and advised officers of priority need, and those cases took precedence. It was noted that many cases will be in a fairly urgent position. The Means Test has been brought back in and this should reduce the waiting list demand over the next twelve to eighteen months.

 

 

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

Members asked for more information in relation to the rise in the number of hours of external domiciliary care.

 

The Head of Adult Services confirmed that an in-house service is being used to right-size care packages before transferring people to the external market. The new re-ablement offer at Trem Y Glyn will soon be operational. As a result, the number of hours of domiciliary care will decrease because people will be reabled more quickly. Consequently, more people will be able to return to their own homes instead of entering residential care. This initiative is still in progress, as Trem Y Glyn has only recently opened and has not yet admitted any residents. It is hoped that the results will become evident later this year.

 

Members enquired what was the timeline for residents being admitted to Trem Y Glyn.

 

The Head of Adult Services confirmed that work was currently being undertaken at the property and it was hoped people could be admitted within the coming weeks. A meeting is planned with Health to finalise the Occupational Therapist support.

 

 

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

Members asked if many residents were currently waiting for care home placements in the borough. Members also requested information about out-of-county placements coming into Neath Port Talbot and vice versa.

 

The Head of Adult Services confirmed that there is not a waiting list, except for people waiting for their preferred home. Neath Port Talbot faces a shortage of dementia nursing beds and rising demand. As a result, dementia nursing placements often have to go to Swansea, Bridgend, and Powys. The authority is in discussions with a local provider to see if this type of care can be provided within the county.

 

Members enquired if there was a significant difference in costs between in county and out of county placements.

 

The Head of Adult Services confirmed that there can be a difference in costs, but all care homes now ask for a top up fee, an example was provided of a care home in a neighbouring authority with a top up fee of £200 per week.

 

Members enquired whether families were paying top up fees of these amounts and what would happen if the top up fee were unaffordable.

 

The Head of Adult Services confirmed that families often cannot afford to pay the top-up fee, so the local authority covers this cost. Audit have been asked to undertake a piece of work in this area. Providers have stated that the basic rate is insufficient. There is ongoing national work to ensure that all care homes are paid at the same rate. It was noted that people do not engage with the authority as well as they should when determining fees.

 

 

Measure 5 - Number of Children Looked After

Members commented that it was pleasing to see the numbers of children looked after reducing, but questioned how the numbers would be affected if the unaccompanied asylum seeking children were included.

 

Officers confirmed that the figures would increase by nineteen.

 

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.