Wrthi'n llwytho
Y penderfyniadau fel y mae cofnodion y cyngor yn eu cofnodi. Bydd crynodeb mewn iaith glir yn dilyn pan fydd wedi'i ysgrifennu.
RESOLVED: 1. To note the presentations.
RESOLVED: 1. To consider the information contained in the quality of care review report.
RESOLVED: 1. To consider the information contained within the report.
RESOLVED: 1. To note and endorse the progress made by Cwm Taf YJS since the HMIP Inspection to deliver the recommended improvement areas. 2. To consider the information relating to the service developments, resource challenges and risks contained in the report.
RESOLVED: 1. To acknowledge the information contained within the report. 2. To agree to the implementation of the recommendations detailed in Section 8 of the report, to improve the support and opportunities available to young carers.
RESOLVED to defer this item to the next meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board.
RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of the exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of the Schedule 12A of the Act.
The Chair opened the meeting and advised that due to unforeseen circumstances, she was unable to Chair this mornings meeting, as she was waiting for an urgent phone call. The Chair asked for nominations of a chair for the meeting. It was RESOLVED that Cllr Caple be elected as Chair of the Corporate Parenting Board for the duration of the meeting.
Apologies for absence were received from the Vice-Chair, County Borough Councillor R Lewis, the Director of Social Services, Mr N Elliott, the Senior Employment Education & Training (EET) Co-ordinator, Ms E Brabon, the EET Manager, Ms S Woolson, Ms M Davies, TGP Cymru.
In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.
To approve as an accurate record, the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board held on the 26th January 2026.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: 1. To note the presentations.
The Director of Children’s Services began by thanking colleagues for their attendance and emphasised the strong partnership approach to supporting care-experienced young people. She highlighted that services are evolving and on a journey of development, with the purpose of the item being to update the Corporate Parenting Board on recent developments that complement existing Children’s Services support, including work aligned with the Children Looked After Therapeutic approach. The Director of Children’s Services then handed over to the Head of Educational Psychology, RCT who took Corporate Parenting Board Members through a presentation on the 7 Minute Briefing, Relational trauma informed support Educational Psychology working with Children’s Services. A Member highlighted the vital importance of the service, noting its significant positive impact on a school they chair, particularly in supporting staff and children. They expressed appreciation for the difference made through morning support and thanked the team for their valuable work. A Member welcomed the encouraging report, praising the collaborative support network and the move away from a one-size-fits-all approach in favour of targeted, individualised support based on a shared understanding of complex needs. He also highlighted the importance of ongoing training and support for staff, recognising the significant pressures they face in corporate parenting roles, and expressed reassurance that this investment will help sustain and retain the workforce. A Member welcomed the discussion and was reassured by the focus on staff wellbeing when supporting children with complex needs. The Members asked whether, based on recent experience, current staffing levels are sufficient to meet demand, or whether additional resources and staff should be considered to better support the service. The Director of Children’s Services explained that workforce capacity has been a key concern in recent years, but progress through the workforce strategy and social work academy has significantly improved staffing stability. Reliance on agency staff has reduced, vacancies are now minimal, and there is greater confidence in future workforce supply. The strategy has also emphasised the importance of a strong skills mix and a practice model that responds to changing needs. Reconfiguration into dedicated looked after children’s teams has improved both service quality and staff sufficiency, although challenges remain around support roles, which continue to be addressed through ongoing discussions and workforce planning. A Member shared positive feedback from recent frontline visits, including a visit to the 14+ Children Looked After team. Staff reported manageable caseloads, strong managerial support, and effective multi-disciplinary working. The collaborative approach was described as increasingly embedded, with clear improvements being seen in the quality of service delivered, making the visits a very positive experience. The Consultant Clinical Psychologist, CAHMS, then took Corporate Parenting Board through a presentation in respect of Developments in Psychology and Psychotherapy within CTMUHB including a pilot project called ‘Here & Now’. The Chair noted the tremendous work in this area and asked how the Consultant Clinical Psychologist saw this progressing and how the results would be measured in respect of the pilot. The Consultant Clinical Psychologist explained that work is underway to develop materials and structures with the CAMHS Youth Panel and families, alongside the SHINE in?reach team working in schools. The focus is on collaboratively agreeing with children and families what success looks like and how impact should be measured, including service use. As the service aims to evidence preventative impact, developing meaningful measures is complex. This development phase will continue over the coming months, with the service due to go live in October. The Member welcomed the proposal, noting from frontline visits that many young people who do not meet CAMHS thresholds still require support. She expressed strong support for the initiative and requested to receive updates on the scheme’s progress as it develops. A Member asked for clarification on the timescales between an initial referral to CAMHS and engagement with the young person. The Consultant Clinical Psychologist explained that, following receipt of a referral, there is a 28?day timescale to complete the initial Part 1A assessment with the young person. She noted that performance is measured against this requirement, although specific percentages were not available. The Head of Fostering Residential & IFSS then took Corporate Parenting Board through a presentation in respect of National Practice Guidance for Therapeutic Support for Care-Experienced Children and Young People. A Member acknowledged the strengths of the multi?agency model but raised concerns about the risk of delays or communication breakdowns between partners. The Member asked what safeguards are in place to ensure effective coordination, including regular meetings, team?building arrangements, and ongoing training to support consistent and inclusive multi?agency working. The Head of Fostering, Residential & IFSS explained that all referrals for therapeutic support are considered through a fortnightly Therapeutic Support Panel, where needs are allocated to the most appropriate intervention and progress is tracked. Any delays are reviewed by the panel, supported by outcome reports from services to ensure accountability and follow?through. A monthly Complex Needs Panel also allocates and monitors multi?agency actions, with escalation where necessary, and has had a positive impact on complex cases. Multi?agency collaboration is further strengthened through regular training, including monthly workshops delivered via the Behaviour Support Clinic, alongside individual agency training programmes. A Member highlighted that support for children should not be dependent on receiving a diagnosis, recognising both the lengthy diagnostic process and the impact of trauma on behaviour. She expressed strong approval of the trauma?informed approach and commended the work of the Resilient Families service. The Chair wished everyone well with the initiative and requested that an update on progress be brought back to the committee in the near future. Following consideration of the report, the Corporate Parenting Board RESOLVED: 1. To note the presentations.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: 1. To consider the information contained in the quality of care review report.
The Service Manager – Foster Wales RCT, advised that the purpose of this report is to update members on monitoring carried out under the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016, the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, and the Local Authority Fostering Services (Wales) Regulations 2018, before taking Members through the report. The Chair thanked the officer for the overview, noting the current challenges facing foster carers e.g., safeguarding, lack sufficiency of placements, placement breakdowns, with clear plans to address all this. It was noted that this was UK wide issue. The Chair acknowledged the vital and highly valued role played by foster carers. A Member noted the importance of ensuring that foster carers are appropriately supported and asked for clarification on the arrangements in place for respite care, including whether there is sufficient capacity to meet the needs of carers. The officer explained that foster carer wellbeing and respite support are considered holistically, recognising that respite may be required either to meet a child’s needs or to support the foster carer. It was noted that the fostering community provides strong peer support, including practical assistance such as transport or short?term care. However, capacity for overnight or longer respite can be challenging due to regulatory limits on placements. Where possible, additional support is provided, including access to a pioneer scheme involving experienced foster carers, external support through the fostering network helpline, and internal wellbeing services such as counselling. A Member asked about the challenges in recruiting foster carers and sought clarification on the factors contributing to these difficulties, including whether they related to the increasing complexity of children’s needs or the necessary rigor of the vetting and assessment process. The officer advised that recruiting foster carers has historically been challenging and remains a complex issue. It was explained that changing community demographics, rising living costs, increased employment pressures on households, and local housing constraints, particularly limited bedroom availability, have reduced opportunities for people to come forward. The increasing complexity of children’s needs was also identified as a factor influencing recruitment. The officer noted that the service actively seeks feedback on barriers to fostering and works regionally with neighbouring authorities to understand shared challenges. A structured programme of recruitment activity is in place throughout the year, including attendance at events and engagement with experienced foster carers to share lived experience. While vetting requirements remain a necessary benchmark, the service continues to explore creative approaches to overcoming recruitment barriers. The Chair commented that, while times have changed significantly in recent years, foster caring remains as relevant and important as ever. The Chair noted that a plan was in place to respond to an evolving context and wished the service well, adding that the Committee looked forward to receiving future reports. Following consideration of the report, the Corporate Parenting Board RESOLVED: 1. To consider the information contained in the quality of care review report.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: 1. To consider the information contained within the report.
The EET Coordinator (Children Looked After) advised that the purpose of the report was to provide the Corporate Parenting Board with an update on the Council’s dedicated programmes, Step in the Right Direction and Care2Work, which support care experienced young people into employment, education and training. This work is a priority within the Corporate Parenting Pledge. The officer took Members through the report. The Chair commented that he had been involved in a number of the celebrations and noted how appreciative and grateful the young people were. The Chair welcomed the expansion of the scheme, including partnership working with South Wales Police, the Health Board and the College, and highlighted that it was an ever?growing initiative, with participants demonstrating humility and appreciation for the support provided. A Member thanked the officer for an excellent presentation, commended the quality of the programme, and expressed the hope that it would continue to develop successfully. A Member stated that the figures presented were encouraging, particularly in relation to young people moving into employment. However, concern was expressed about those who were not engaging. The Member sought clarity on the scale of the issue, including the number of young people aged 16–24 being targeted, the proportion currently being supported, and the approach taken to reach those who choose not to engage. The Member also asked what further actions could be taken to encourage disengaged young people to participate and recognise the benefits of engagement. The officer explained that, although there is a high number of care?experienced young people who are not in education, employment or training, the service works intensively with a smaller cohort due to limited staffing and the resource?intensive nature of the support provided, including at least weekly interventions. Most referrals are received from Children’s Services, and where young people are not referred or engaged, this is often due to instability in areas such as housing, mental health, or substance misuse, meaning they are not yet ready for employment or training. The Officer emphasised the importance of establishing stable foundations to avoid further setbacks. It was noted that engagement can be challenging for those content with welfare support; however, peer influence and word?of?mouth promotion from successful participants have proved effective in encouraging engagement. While there is a desire to support more young people, it was acknowledged that non?engagement is not solely a referral issue but often reflects professional judgement about readiness for support. The Member asked for clarification around the small cohort, asking if this was due to the team being small or if there was capacity to do more. The Director of Children’s Services emphasised a strong commitment to improving outcomes for care leavers, with key priorities including stable accommodation, better emotional wellbeing, and the relationship between employment and wellbeing. While many young people are engaged in education, employment or training, a number face significant challenges such as poor mental health and substance misuse. A small but particularly vulnerable group are not in work or seeking employment; these care leavers are experiencing complex trauma and require the greatest level of targeted support. Following consideration of the report, the Corporate Parenting Board RESOLVED: 1. To consider the information contained within the report.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: 1. To note and endorse the progress made by Cwm Taf YJS since the HMIP Inspection to deliver the recommended improvement areas. 2. To consider the information relating to the service developments, resource challenges and risks contained in the report.
The Head of Cwm Taf Youth Justice Service explained the purpose of this report is to provide Corporate Parenting Board with an update on the work and progress made to implement the recommendations from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) Inspection of the Cwm Taf Youth Justice Service (YJS) during April and May 2024. The Officer then provided further updates on service developments, resource challenges and risks impacting upon current and future service delivery acknowledging that the report highlighted ongoing funding pressures and risks affecting early intervention and prevention services, despite their critical role in reducing youth entry into the criminal justice system. While initiatives such as the Young Futures Prevention Panel and the MoJ Turnaround Programme have strengthened early intervention and evidence-based practice, recent confirmations mean future funding will be flat and, in some cases, reduced, creating sustained pressure on service capacity. Longer-term certainty is also limited for Welsh Youth Justice Services due to unresolved devolution discussions. Although Children and Communities Grant funding continues to provide important support for prevention activity, the Management Board recognises the need to closely monitor resources and risks. The Chair thanked the Officer for the report and acknowledged this was an honest appraisal of the challenges facing Youth Justice, particularly the ever changing world and regarding the exploitation and effect on young children. The Chair noted the many challenges for the future and felt it was important to have a further update come back to Corporate Parenting Board, in a timely fashion, to raise the concerns in relation to all the changes that will affect youth justice. There were no questions from Members. Following consideration of the report, the Corporate Parenting Board RESOLVED: 1. To note and endorse the progress made by Cwm Taf YJS since the HMIP Inspection to deliver the recommended improvement areas. 2. To consider the information relating to the service developments, resource challenges and risks contained in the report.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: 1. To acknowledge the information contained within the report. 2. To agree to the implementation of the recommendations detailed in Section 8 of the report, to improve the support and opportunities available to young carers.
The Organisational Change and Transformation Officer advised that the purpose of the report is to provide an overview of the support for young carers with reference to the legislative duties, where we are now in terms of current provision and performance, the young carers voice feedback and options for re-tendering including regional options and recommendations. The officer took Members through the report including the background, at Section 3, the data at Section 4, the current provision for young carers in RCT, at Section 5, the consultation at Section 6, what had been learned at Section 7 and the recommendations at Section 8. The Chair thanked the Officer for the report and noted this was another positive pathway forward for children’s services. A Member thanked the Officer for the report, noting the things that needed to be improved, whilst endorsing the recommendations detailed in Section 8 of the report, to improve the support and opportunities available to young carers. Following consideration of the report, the Corporate Parenting Board RESOLVED: 1. To acknowledge the information contained within the report. 2. To agree to the implementation of the recommendations detailed in Section 8 of the report, to improve the support and opportunities available to young carers.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to defer this item to the next meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board.
Members RESOLVED to defer this item to the next meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of the exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of the Schedule 12A of the Act.
It was RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of the exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of the Schedule 12A of the Act.
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