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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED that the report be received.
RESOLVED that the report be received.
RESOLVED that the report be received for further consideration by Cabinet.
RESOLVED that the report be received.
RESOLVED that the report be received.
RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted and that the Social Services Sustainability Plan be submitted to Committee for consideration at its next meeting on the 30th April, 2025 .
RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on the 30th April, 2025 be noted.
An apology for absence was received from Councillor C. Davies.
There were no declarations of personal interest or of any prohibited party whips.
The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be received.
The Committee considered the Corporate Safeguarding Annual, which provided information on the role, functions and activities undertaken by the Authority with regard to Safeguarding and protecting children and adults at risk in Carmarthenshire. To ensure the Council fulfils its Corporate Safeguarding commitments the Corporate Safeguarding Group had agreed the following thematic areas of focus: · Safe Governance · Safe Workplace and Workforce · Safe Practice and Performance · Safe Partnerships The report provided an update on the work undertaken in relation to each of the thematic areas over the course of 2023/24 and 2024/25 and identified ongoing areas for action in 2025/2026. While this report provided an update on the work and ongoing efforts across all departments within Carmarthenshire Council to safeguard children and adults at risk, it did not include a comprehensive update on the statutory functions for children and adults which are reported separately. A number of questions were raised to which officers responded. The main matters were as follows: • A concern raised regarding the increase in the total number of reports of child exploitation received during the year and the increase quarter on quarter, it was asked if there was an adequate number of specialist staff available to deal with the reports of exploitation when received. The Head of Children and Families advised that the data within the report was regional data but that the authority was ensuring it had a robust response on issues regarding child exploitation. It was stated that work was on-going with partners and that a regional strategy was being developed and would be adopted in Carmarthenshire. • In relation to the governance arrangement, it was asked what the ‘golden thread’ meant. The Committee was advised that golden thread means that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and that previously the Authority was not always aligned with internal and external governance arrangements. The revised governance arrangements, structure and processes has meant there is now a complete oversight – golden thread. • Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, but people are not always prepared to take the next steps. It was asked if following training were staff more prepared to report cases. The Senior Manager – Adult & Corporate Safeguarding advised that training had made it clear that as an employee staff have additional responsibility when working for a statutory organisation, but they also felt they had the protection of the Authority when reporting a case. This was evidenced by the increasing number of concerns being reported. • The Committee noted that some of the data within the report was regional data and asked for sight of Carmarthenshire only data. • In relation to a concern regarding the backlog of Adult (DoLS) applications, officers assured the Committee that Welsh Government funding had enabled the Authority to reduce the backlog and that the cases were on a reducing trajectory. Officers advised that proportionate assessments had been introduced and that this approach was helping to reduce the backlog. RESOLVED that the report be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be received.
The Committee considered the Mid & West Wales Safeguarding Children & Adults Boards Annual Report 2023-2024. The report outlined the progress that had been made against the outcomes set by CYSUR and CWMPAS as part of the joint Annual Strategic Plan for the year 2023-24. It was noted that significant investment and time has continued to be dedicated to supporting the development of the new Single Unified Safeguarding Review (SUSR) process, following the development of the draft statutory guidance published earlier this year. The report mentioned that this year had seen the publication of several Practice Reviews and assurance was given that the Board was committed to embedding any learning identified as part of those reviews into practice. Following presentation of the report by the Regional Safeguarding Board Manager, a number of questions were raised to which officers responded. The main matters were as follows: • Clarification was sought on the data shown in the graph in relation to domestic incidents involving adults. The Committee was advised that the data was split between the 4 regions, but the regions had been anonymised for publication of the report. The Regional Safeguarding Board Manager advised that she would be able to share this data with the Committee following the meeting. • Reference was made to the expenses incurred to fund legal counsel in respect of a judicial review application against the CYSUR Board and a concern was expressed regarding potential future applications. The Regional Safeguarding Board Manager advised that the board had identified this as a risk area, however in most cases the Board would not be legally responsible but that was not to say that the Board would be complacent. It was also stated that the case would stand the Board well for any future applications as a precedent had been set for any future challenges. The Head of Adult Social Care advised that the concerns raised by the Committee would be raised at the next meeting of the Mid & West Wales Safeguarding Children & Adults Board. • In reference to the statement within the report regarding the need for improved understanding and knowledge of the key principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005), officers advised that an audit had been undertaken and that training was widely available and undertaken. The issue in this context was in relation to roles that fell outside of the core safeguarding roles e.g. domiciliary care. The Committee was advised that a programme of training was being rolled out to these groups. RESOLVED that the report be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be received for further consideration by Cabinet.
The Committee considered the Early Help report that provided information on the work to implement the Early Help approach in Carmarthenshire. The Committee was advised that the data within the report covered a 3-year period that illustrated the changes in demand. The report included information on: • the approach • Principals • Service Providers • Service Data • Step Up & Step Down • Parenting & Family Support • Integrated Children’s Centres • Action for Children • Tim Camau Bach • Domestic Abuse Stops Here (DASH) • Youth Health Team • Targeted Youth Support • Early Help Hub A number of questions were raised to which officers responded. The main matters were as follows: • In reference to the data for service demand, it was asked if the figures for 2024/25 (6 months) were likely to be much higher now. The Senior Manager, Early Help and Assessment Education advised that the figures were anticipated to be double for the current year. It was stated that it wasn’t just about the complexity of cases but also the demand. • It was asked how quickly help was provided to families and if there was a waiting list for support. The Senior Manager advised that ideally the first connection would be the following day. • Reference was made to the Sign Language Awareness Week and the support network available for the deaf community who may only be able to communicate via sign language. The Senior Manager advised that there were currently no facilities for the deaf community however, it was high on the agenda and that work was being done in developing other ways that families could contact the authority for support such as the use of apps and on-line facilities. In response it was asked if contact could be made with Llanelli Centre for the Deaf regarding the work with the deaf community. · In response to a query regarding Youth Work and the level of collaboration with voluntary organisations and the barriers to gaining engagement, officers advised that communities-based approach was a focus for the team. During a recent review it was established that the majority of the projects were school based roles however, these have been flexed to allow support to be undertaken in the community. The Committee was advised that mapping work was being undertaken with partners and via direct engagement with young people on how the Early Help approach could meet their needs moving forward. The Committee asked that the result of the mapping exercise be fed back to Scrutiny. • In response to a query regarding support for Carmarthenshire school children attending school’s outsider of County, officers advised that cross border arrangements were in place and that regional meetings were held. RESOLVED that the report be received for further consideration by Cabinet.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be received.
The Committee considered the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report in relation to the Health and Social Services, which provided an update on the latest budgetary position as at 31st December, 2024 in respect of the 2024/25 financial year. The Health and Social Services was projecting an overspend of £7,278k on the revenue budget and net variances of -£271K against a net budget of £728k on Social Care projects and a £14k variance against the Children Services projects net budget of £136k. The Committee noted that Welsh Government had provided additional grant funding in respect of the April 2024 NJC pay award. A sum of £230k was allocated to Communities Department and £285k to the Department for Education, Children & Family Services at a departmental level. These figures were excluded from the December budget monitoring being presented in the appendices. Allocations to service areas would be incorporated in the February 2025 budget monitoring report. Following presentation of the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring report by the Cabinet Member for Resources, a number of questions were raised to which officers responded. The main matters were as follows: • In response to a concern raised regarding the delayed progress within supported living, the Head of Adult Social Care advised that the development of in-house provision was a long process. It ranged from identifying suitable properties, procurement of the property (or new build) and staffing of the site while adhering to policies, procurement rules and standards. The development of 7 new schemes this year had been a major undertaking and that this work would be on-going while also planning for a sustainable future. • In reference to Older People – Residential Care Homes (Local Authority Provision) and the overtime/casual and agency costs, it was asked how the in-house agency pilot which began in May last year was contributing to the reduction in cost. The Head of Adult Social Care advised that they had seen significant savings as a result of the in-house agency pilot and that the pilot had been recently reviewed. Initially the plan was to roll the pilot out to Home Care but it had been assessed that the priority was to roll it out to Children Services area next and then Home Care. • Further information was requested on the Learning Disabilities Accommodation Developments. The Head of Adult Social Care advised that generally in terms of Learning Disabilities there was an improved position and that the reduction in overspend was due to an accommodation efficiency programme and the strengthening of governance. Collaboration with commissioning and housing had assisted with the development of alternative accommodation. The Committee was advised that progress was not as fast as hoped and that it was challenging developing the initiatives while still meeting the increasing demands. The Committee noted that 7 new projects were in the plan for this year but that focus was also needed on the Mental Health area. • In response to a query regarding the ICF Main Capital Programme the Senior Business Support Manager confirmed that Carmarthenshire was the host authority therefore the Authority held the money and that contributions were shown on the accounts. RESOLVED that the report be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the report be received.
The Committee considered the 2024/25 Quarter 3 Performance Monitoring Report relevant to this Scrutiny. The report set out the progress against deliverables (actions and measures) linked to the Corporate Strategy and the Well-being Objectives. A number of questions were raised to which officers responded. The main matters were as follows: • In relation to the off target objective WB01 it was asked why the data for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 was not available for the number of new assessments completed for children during the year. The Head of Children and Families advised that she did not know but would look into the matter and provide the information following the meeting. • It was asked if progress had been made on the review and update of the existing S.33 agreement as the original target date for completion was March 2022. The Head of Adult Social Care advised that the Acting Head of Integrated Services had been tasked with completing this action and was confident that the revised target date of May 2025 would be met. • In response to a question regarding the re-design of the Family Support Service and the fact that there was no target set, the Head of Children and Families advised the development of the Family Support Service was an important part of their work. The Committee was advised that the current service was funded entire through grant funding and the allocation for the coming financial year had not been received from Welsh Government which has delayed the ‘stand up’ of the service. RESOLVED that the report be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted and that the Social Services Sustainability Plan be submitted to Committee for consideration at its next meeting on the 30th April, 2025 .
The Committee received an explanation for the non-submission of the following scrutiny reports. • Living Well in Carmarthenshire (Prevention Strategy) • Social Services Sustainability Plan • Communities Annual Safeguarding Report RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted and that the Social Services Sustainability Plan be submitted to Committee for consideration at its next meeting on the 30th April, 2025 .
UNANAMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 3rd February, 2025 be signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on the 30th April, 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on the 30th April, 2025 be noted.
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