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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 minutes of the previous meeting of the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6 March, 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED- That the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Plan (FWP), together with the combined FWP be approved.
RESOLVED: That the Strategic Multi Agency Panel’s Annual Report 2022/2023 be acknowledged. RECOMMENDATION TO CABINET: That Cabinet note the Strategic Multi Agency Panel’s Annual Report for 2022/2023.
RESOLVED: That the Annual Corporate Parenting Report 2022/2023 and areas of success achieved by the Corporate Parenting Team during the reporting period and the key priorities going forward be noted.
An apology for absence was received from Councillor Cathy Augustine.
None.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6 March, 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the previous meeting of the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6 March, 2024 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6 March, 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Plan (FWP), together with the combined FWP be approved.
The Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer presented the individual Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined FWP. The following points were highlighted: • The following reports had been scheduled for the meeting on 17 July 2024: - The role and profile of Social Work, including sustainability of the workforce. - Child Exploitation and broader learning from Child Practice reviews. - The Director of Social Services Annual Report. - The annual update on the Children and Communities Grant. • Further discussion would take place with the Chair and Vice-Chair on the scheduling of reports as the July and September, 2024 meetings were too congested. • Following the Scrutiny Self-Assessment Workshop, a report would be presented to the Democratic Services Committee to consider the views of Members and identify if any changes were needed to the current scrutiny arrangements. RESOLVED- That the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Plan (FWP), together with the combined FWP be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Strategic Multi Agency Panel’s Annual Report 2022/2023 be acknowledged. RECOMMENDATION TO CABINET: That Cabinet note the Strategic Multi Agency Panel’s Annual Report for 2022/2023.
The Cabinet Member for Children, Family, and Safeguarding Services presented the Strategic Multi-Agency Panel (SMAP) Annual Report 2022-2023 and the Head of Children, Family and Safeguarding Services provided the detail in relation to the membership of the Panel, its core functions, details of spend and financial pressures and statistical information about the number of children in residential settings outside of Conwy County. In scrutinising the report, reference was made to the following: • In terms of how the SMAP multi-agency approach could be improved, Alison Cowell (Assistant Area Director for Central (Children) – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), who was in attendance at the meeting, highlighted the importance of attending SMAP meetings and advised Members that BCUHB was intending on reaffirming their processes/systems with the SMAP, in order to ensure a better understanding amongst partners. In addition, an invitation had been extended to the Cabinet Member for Children, Family, and Safeguarding Services to attend SMAP meetings going forward. • Concern was expressed regarding delays in young people receiving timely assessments e.g. 18-month waiting list for a neurological assessment and how it impacted on the ability to source suitable placements. • The increased complex needs, behavioural challenges, demand for residential placements and lack of supply locally, which often resulted in having to work with providers operating without registration to support children and young people, was also a concern. • Concern was expressed regarding the Welsh Government (WG) Eliminate Profit agenda. In response, Members were advised that, as an alternative to independent placements, Conwy was redeveloping its own residential service e.g. Glan yr Afon and Sylva Gardens. In addition, collaboration with the local third sector providers was continual in order to try and mitigate risks. The Cabinet Member advised that she was meeting with the WG Minister shortly and would, once more, be highlighting concerns surrounding the Eliminate Profit agenda, which was echoed across the region; feedback from the meeting would be provided accordingly. • The processes of external bodies no longer being fit for purpose, together with the unpredictability of funding, placements and the impact on families was highlighted. • The importance of hearing from the ’voice of the child’ was highlighted. Members were informed that a presentation on such matters was soon to be presented to the Member Development Information Forum (MDIF). • The need for open discussion surrounding diversity needs and discrimination was considered vital. Members thanked the teams involved for their hard work and dedication. RESOLVED: That the Strategic Multi Agency Panel’s Annual Report 2022/2023 be acknowledged. RECOMMENDATION TO CABINET: That Cabinet note the Strategic Multi Agency Panel’s Annual Report for 2022/2023.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Annual Corporate Parenting Report 2022/2023 and areas of success achieved by the Corporate Parenting Team during the reporting period and the key priorities going forward be noted.
The Cabinet Member for Integrated Adult and Community Services presented the annual report of the Corporate Parenting Team 2020/2023 and the Service Manager Children Looked After detailed the role and responsibilities in relation to corporate parenting, the progress made during the reporting period and some key performance information. In scrutinising the report, reference was made to the following: • The collective responsibility as Corporate Parents, to ensure the best care and protection was given to children looked after, together with the collaborative work with partners from both statutory and voluntary services. • The challenges and key steps taken to ensure the best possible outcomes in life was acknowledged, together with the prevailing risk to the Local Authority of having to meet demand and commission independent foster and residential placements . • The resources to begin to expand the number of Foster Carers across the County, which included the appointment of two new recruitment officers, a marketing campaign and review of allowances and benefits for Foster Carers was praised. Furthermore, it was acknowledged that Members played a pivotal role, within their communities, in promoting and encouraging recruitment. • Seeking best practice and reviewing models proven to be successful and sustainable in other Local Authorities were being considered e.g. The Mockingbird Family Model. • When presenting the next Corporate Parenting Annual report it was suggested that more data (such as the number of young people who went to university, gained A Levels/GCSEs and went missing from placements) and in line with the questions encouraged to be asked within the WLGA Corporate Parenting Workbook, be included within the report. • Sustainability of the workforce and the importance of continual staff development and training to help further understand complexities in relation to emotional and self-regulation needs. Members were informed that Conwy had implemented the Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy (PACE) model and the Reinforce Appropriate, Implode Disruptive (RAID) approach, together with a raft of other services, including counselling for emotional and self-regulation needs. In addition, a report regarding the sustainability of the workforce was due to be presented to the Committee in July, 2024. Conwy’s positive attitude towards the role of Corporate Parenting was praised, together with the dedication and hard work of the staff within Social Care and Education Services. RESOLVED: That the Annual Corporate Parenting Report 2022/2023 and areas of success achieved by the Corporate Parenting Team during the reporting period and the key priorities going forward be noted.
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