Wrthi'n llwytho
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AGREED – That the Work Programme, attached as Appendix 1 to the report COGC/90/24, be agreed. .
AGREED: That officers be thanked for the report which was noted accordingly
AGREED – (i) That Officers be thanked for the report (ii) That Committee recognise the progress made, particularly relating to training and the level of resource required (iii) That the Committee recognise the potential difficulties of moving children who were in successful placements
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Annette Davies and Malcolm King
AGREED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 October 2024 be signed as a correct record
No declarations of interest were made at this meeting.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED – That the Work Programme, attached as Appendix 1 to the report COGC/90/24, be agreed. .
The Chief Officer Governance & Customer submitted a report (COGC/90/24) asking Members to consider the Committee’s work programme. The Scrutiny Facilitator presented the report and highlighted the main points within it drawing Members’ attention to Appendix A. · For committees between December to March, each had slot available, however both April & May were item free therefore consideration could be given to these · The item inviting HMP Berwyn to the committee will be in April. · Two other considerations are Health / Social Care Winter Outcomes 2024/2025 and also a Progress update on Core Transformational Projects for both Children’s & Adult’s · That an item be included at January Committee on Together Achieving Change (TAC) – a topic selection form has now been being completed and has been circulated for information. AGREED – That the Work Programme, attached as Appendix 1 to the report COGC/90/24, be agreed. .
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED: That officers be thanked for the report which was noted accordingly
The Lead Member for Children’s Services submitted a report (COSC27/2024) to provide an update to the Safeguarding, Communities & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee of the progress made within the action plan to deliver the Corporate Safeguarding Policy The Corporate Safeguarding Policy was originally approved by Executive Board in June 2016 and a revised policy was approved by Executive Board in February 2022. An Action Plan was subsequently agreed in order to embed the Corporate Safeguarding Agenda throughout all Council Services Whilst the Social Care department takes the lead on behalf of the Council, safeguarding is everyone’s business within the council, every staff member, councillor, volunteer and service provider has a responsibility in the field of safeguarding. A set of policies and procedures are in place to provide formal assurance and specify management roles for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. The Corporate Safeguarding Panel meet on a quarterly basis and have been working on key areas of work for 2023/24 and on new areas of focus for 2024/25. Members of the Committee considered the report and during debate made reference to the following matters: · The Chief Officer confirmed that Social Services take responsibility on behalf of the whole authority. · There is an action plan which is updated and there will always be the need for an action plan. The plan was created to outline key actions required to support the Corporate Safeguarding Panel to meet its responsibilities. · Clarification sought on the methods used to raise awareness for staff · Every Department within the Council has a key role to play and must take full ownership of safeguarding matters. There is a need to ensure that clear arrangements and procedures are in place across the Council to ensure that investigations into allegations / concerns that a child or adult is experiencing or is at risk of abuse, neglect or other kinds of harm are reported in line with the requirements of the Wales Safeguarding Procedures. · In addition, every department needs to understand where safeguarding issues are most likely to arise in their particular service and ensure they adhere to the Corporate Safeguarding Policy in managing them safely. · Formal arrangements and structures to support Corporate Safeguarding helps to ensure that the Council has in place, and is operating, effective management and assurance processes and controls for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and fulfils its duties corporately and in partnership with other statutory agencies. · A request was made for an update to members on the DBS situation corporate wide · Areas of new development and focus for the immediate future include: Ø Delivery of training in line with the Wales National Safeguarding Training Standards Ø Improvements to the Disclosure & Barring Service process by creation of a corporate-wide system for monitoring DBS renewals Ø Production of an Annual Modern Slavery Statement Ø Review of Corporate Safeguarding Policy Ø Review of Communications Plan Ø Safeguarding Week 2024. AGREED: That officers be thanked for the report which was noted accordingly
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED – (i) That Officers be thanked for the report (ii) That Committee recognise the progress made, particularly relating to training and the level of resource required (iii) That the Committee recognise the potential difficulties of moving children who were in successful placements
Introducing the report the Lead Member for Children’s and Family Services informed committee that the report was to provide an overview of progress of the Care Closer to Home project and that the work links to the recent new Health & Social Care Bill that is concerned with the Removal of Profit from the Care of Children The Council have two key strategies, firstly to increase the number of foster carers so that children are able to stay in the local areas which increases their ability to thrive. Secondly, to increase the level of registered children’s homes. Regular meetings are held to consider how to purchase more suitable homes to maximise the offer to allow children to have the chance to live locally. Different types of properties are considered during the selection process and recognition that some homes are not suitable for some children. Confirmation by Chief Officer that residential provision was being developed by us and in partnership with others. The setting up and opening of new homes can involve various factors including, correct registration, getting staff in place and training. We aim to do this quickly and properly to support young people to get the right outcomes. Members considered the report and asked questions of the Lead Member and Officers present. During debate reference was made to the following: · The Chair updated the committee that in September 2024 a letter had been sent to the Dawn Bowden, Minister for Children and Social Care in relation to concerns of the dual cost to the authority for out of county care whilst setting up care in our own area. The chair expressed disappointment in the response received to the letter and hoped continued pressure would help moving the agenda forward. · Recognition was given to the work carried out with a view to removing profit from care, however moving children around would require careful consideration · Assurance by officer that the utmost care and planning is given when a child is moved from external placement in residential back to in-house provision. · Further information was requested on the potential purchase of further accommodation and the budget available to purchase such properties · The Lead Member informed committee that the monies were all grant awarded and it was applied for every year. A property would be identified and a business case would be put forward in applying for the funding. · Was any of the funding provided by the housing department? · Confirmation that each property in terms of capital costs had different history. · Any new properties will come through the same capital source · Setting up of the homes involves recruiting the appropriate workforce. Following recruitment there is a robust induction followed by training, continuing with ongoing supervision and positive leadership · Emphasis was placed on the career pathways and opportunities that are open to employees joining in children’s care sector · Confirmation given that the level of training we are required to provide is extremely varied and is ongoing, this in turn means we are stabilising our workforce and will give us a workforce in the future with a wealth of skill base and knowledge AGREED – (i) That Officers be thanked for the report (ii) That Committee recognise the progress made, particularly relating to training and the level of resource required (iii) That the Committee recognise the potential difficulties of moving children who were in successful placements
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