Wrthi'n llwytho
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AGREED:- That, subject to the above changes, the Work Programme at Appendix 1 be agreed.
AGREED:- (i) That the Safeguarding, Communities and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee thanked Officers and Lead Members for the thorough report and appreciated the detail provided, which gave Councillors a clearer understanding of how the department operated during challenging times. (ii) That the Committee wished to pass their thanks to all employees for their efforts over recent years.
Apologies of absence were received from Councillor Annette Davies and Malcom King OBE.
AGREED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2025 be signed as a correct record.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED:- That, subject to the above changes, the Work Programme at Appendix 1 be agreed.
The Chief Officer for Governance and Customer submitted a report (COGC/77/25) that updated members with the draft work programme of the Safeguarding, Communities and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee attached at Appendix 1. The Scrutiny Facilitator presented the updated work programme, noting key changes and additions. As follows: a) November would include HMP Berwyn and the Community Safety Plan, whilst December would retain Community Agents and the Library Review. b) The Toilet Strategy was scheduled for January as a pre-decision item c) Two topic selection forms have been incorporated into the January to June schedule, which had been provisionally populated. d) Limited flexibility remained in May and June due to larger items such as safeguarding and winter health and social care outcomes. e) Budget discussions were planned for February or March, with remaining items to be scheduled later. Members responded with a range of queries and suggestions: · Members requested that the HMP Berwyn report include recent incidents such as drone activity and arson, along with toilet provision data for rural and city areas. · It was confirmed that whilst social care input was included, a full review of mental health services would require a separate topic request and joint report with relevant agencies. Members agreed to consider submitting this. AGREED:- That, subject to the above changes, the Work Programme at Appendix 1 be agreed.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED:- (i) That the Safeguarding, Communities and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee thanked Officers and Lead Members for the thorough report and appreciated the detail provided, which gave Councillors a clearer understanding of how the department operated during challenging times. (ii) That the Committee wished to pass their thanks to all employees for their efforts over recent years.
The Chief Officer for Social Care submitted a report (COSC/16/25) that updated the Safeguarding, Communities and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee on progress made by the Social Care Department against actions agreed by the Accelerated Improvement and Transformation Board. The Lead Members for Children’s Services and Adult Social Care introduced the report, outlining developments since the board’s formation in 2020, originally as the Children’s Services Improvement Board. As follows:- · The board focused on improving adult services and transforming both children’s and adults’ services to address budget pressures and deliver strategic goals. · Annual outcomes were aligned with Welsh Government standards and aimed to raise ambition and encourage innovation. · The report reviewed progress against 2024–25 targets and identified priorities for the year ahead, with financial resilience remaining a central theme. The following was discussed: · Two new children’s homes opened, enabling one child to return locally and three to remain in the area. Four homes were operational and at full capacity, with two awaiting registration. · Recruitment continued for additional homes, with plans to expand as children transitioned out of care. · The Kickstart provision for young people aged 16+ progressed, with two new properties were expected by April 2026. The service, delivered by a non-profit provider, promoted independence and flexible placements. · Tapley expanded with a self-contained annex and operated at full capacity, supporting families with disabled children. · Workforce development remained a priority, with NVQ Level 3 required for children’s care officers and Level 2 for adult support workers. · Staff progression and retention were supported through training pathways and the successful Grow Your Own programme. · Children’s services, no longer under special measures, remained actively involved in the board, focusing on staffing, placements, and sustainability. · Members emphasised the need for ongoing improvement and financial reform due to rising social care costs. · Staff were based at Wrexham Community Hospital and the Maelor Integrated Learning and Assessment Unit (MILA), supporting hospital discharge and improving coordination with health services. · Performance workshops were restructured to improve engagement, using themed sessions and co-production to identify solutions. · Children’s Social Care audits were managed by the Performance and Quality Assurance Team, with monthly themes based on complaints, priorities, and performance concerns. · Audits were conducted by experienced staff, with findings informing action plans and service development. · Assessment timeliness benchmarks applied only to children’s services; the example cited met the expected timeframe based on working days. · Performance metrics used a colour-coded system, with some indicators marked red due to staffing challenges. Improvements were underway. · Members praised the department’s achievements despite financial and staffing pressures, noting strengthened collaboration and increased recruitment of social care assessors. · The Early Response Team and the Single Point of Access (SPOA) were enhanced to improve front door services, offering advice and informal support to reduce formal assessments. · Six social care assessors supported this function, helping streamline pathways and improve outcomes. · Social care made significant progress over five years, with children’s services no longer requiring an improvement plan following regulator assurance. · Adult services joined the improvement programme in 2022, focusing on a small number of achievable priorities. · Transformation work continued with support from HR, education, and other departments, guided by clear and realistic goals. · Oversight was maintained through regular performance reporting, quality assurance, and logic modelling. · A new brokerage model was introduced, transferring placement sourcing from social workers to the contracts team, improving efficiency. · Alternative models for day services and work opportunities were being developed, with a report due in February. · Employment pathways were supported through partnerships with organisations such as HWB and the recruitment of a young person into social care. · Members highlighted the success of the Grow Your Own programme and the need for sustainable funding beyond current grants. · The committee formally recognised the dedication of staff across departments and proposed a recommendation to thank all employees for their continued efforts. AGREED:- (i) That the Safeguarding, Communities and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee thanked Officers and Lead Members for the thorough report and appreciated the detail provided, which gave Councillors a clearer understanding of how the department operated during challenging times. (ii) That the Committee wished to pass their thanks to all employees for their efforts over recent years.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
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