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.
AGREED:- (i) That, subject to the changes outlined in the report, the committee considered and agreed the draft work programme, as attached at Appendix 1. (ii) That more detailed information be provided on the item titled "Transformation Project (3) Supported Living." (iii) That the "Social Care Budget" item be heard first at the February meeting to ensure adequate time for discussion. (iv) That the "Library Review" item for the February meeting be amended to include the relevant lead members and officers.
AGREED: (i) That the committee expresses gratitude to officers and lead members for their efforts and looks forward to further evidence of the pilots' success. (ii) That a report be submitted to the committee in approximately six months to provide an update on the pilots, including findings and how they fit into the department's wider change program. (iii) That any relevant updates on broader reviews be included in the report, where available. (iv)That the committee finalises the details of the update during future planning meetings.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Beryl Blackmore, Annette Davies, Marc Jones Malcom King OBE and Derek Wright.
AGREED: That the minutes held on 10 December 2024 be signed as a correct record.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made:- Item Agenda 5- Child Poverty Together Achieving Change (TAC) Pilots Councillor Krista Childs– Personal and non-Prejudicial – A family member works for flying start. The Councillor remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED:- (i) That, subject to the changes outlined in the report, the committee considered and agreed the draft work programme, as attached at Appendix 1. (ii) That more detailed information be provided on the item titled "Transformation Project (3) Supported Living." (iii) That the "Social Care Budget" item be heard first at the February meeting to ensure adequate time for discussion. (iv) That the "Library Review" item for the February meeting be amended to include the relevant lead members and officers.
The Chief Officer for Governance and Customer (COGC/02/25) submitted a report asking Members to consider the draft work programme of the Safeguarding, Communities and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee attached at Appendix 1. The Scrutiny Facilitator provided a concise update on the work programme, highlighting the changes made in the December meeting. AGREED:- (i) That, subject to the changes outlined in the report, the committee considered and agreed the draft work programme, as attached at Appendix 1. (ii) That more detailed information be provided on the item titled "Transformation Project (3) Supported Living." (iii) That the "Social Care Budget" item be heard first at the February meeting to ensure adequate time for discussion. (iv) That the "Library Review" item for the February meeting be amended to include the relevant lead members and officers.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED: (i) That the committee expresses gratitude to officers and lead members for their efforts and looks forward to further evidence of the pilots' success. (ii) That a report be submitted to the committee in approximately six months to provide an update on the pilots, including findings and how they fit into the department's wider change program. (iii) That any relevant updates on broader reviews be included in the report, where available. (iv)That the committee finalises the details of the update during future planning meetings.
(Members declarations of interest in relation to this item are set out in Minute 40 above). The Chief Officer for Social Care submitted a report (COSC/01/25) that provided an information report to provide background to the presentation being made to the Safeguarding, Communities & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee in respect of an overview of the two TAC pilots, with outcomes achieved to date as a preventative model to address child poverty. The Lead Member for Children’s and Family Services introduced the report, highlighting key points, and welcomed Rhian Thomas, Senior Head of Children's Social Care, Helen Edwards, Head of Service Safeguarding & Quality Assurance, and representatives from the Together Achieving Change (TAC) team. A presentation was made outlining the following topics: • Overview of TAC, including referral trends from 2019-2024, types of referrals, and waiting lists. • The need for change and the TAC Pilot 1, which implemented a relationship-based practice model (RBPM), highlighting objectives, resources, and engagement with young people. • Current findings on engagement, closures, home visits, and case studies. • Overview of Pilot 2, a locality delivery model, its objectives, resources, and impact on waiting lists, along with feedback and next steps. Arising from the presentation the following points were made:- Pilot One Discussions • It was explained that TAC has always used its own referral form for prevention, which included an initial assessment of the issue and a follow-up to measure progress. • A national review was underway to create an All-Wales referral form that will streamline referrals for early help, prevention, and safeguarding into one form, simplifying the process for professionals. • The change to the referral process aims to address challenges faced by services. Despite these challenges, there has been strong commitment to the TAC referral process. • It was highlighted that not all of the 16,172 contacts received by children’s services were safeguarding referrals or cases requiring intervention. Many were requests for advice, assistance, or information. The increase in contacts was part of a nationwide trend observed since COVID-19. • Concerns about small team sizes managing this high workload and it was explained that the council was testing a resource-efficient prevention model through targeted early help services. This approach aimed to reduce safeguarding referrals and statutory interventions. This was more cost-effective and aligned with the council's long-term strategy. • Providing the right support to families at the right time could reduce the need for children to enter care, leading to cost savings. • Over the past four years, the TAC team has received significant budget investment and increased staffing to pilot new approaches. These pilots were being carefully managed to assess their effectiveness. • Members were reassured that officers will continue to lobby the Welsh Government for additional funding, as much of this work was supported by the Families First grant, a national funding mechanism. • The pilot will be reviewed in March 2024, and plans for phased implementation across the Authority will follow to ensure all areas benefit. This aligns with the broader prevention services review. • Concerns were raised about increasing waiting lists, with year-on-year growth in demand for prevention services. Whilst some individuals on waiting lists were now receiving interim interventions under the pilot, delays remain a concern. • The urgency n scaling up successful initiatives to reduce long-term pressures on statutory services, citing the need for greater support and resources Pilot Two Discussions • The goal was to implement changes comprehensively rather than piecemeal, ensuring the pilots were strengthened and more effective. • Officers must consider population differences in each locality to determine the appropriate team structures. • Officers will review and analyse resource needs to determine whether smaller teams or a larger, centralised team would be required, and will provide recommendations after the review is complete. • There was a two-way relationship between the Information Shop, where staff may refer young people requiring coordinated family support to the TAC team, whilst the TAC team may direct individuals to the Information Shop for specific services, such as sexual health support. • The locality pilot has further strengthened collaboration between the TAC team, youth services, and the play development team to provide holistic support for families and young people. • Officers explained that support varies based on family needs, including financial advice, domestic violence support through the "Own My Life" project, leisure activities for youth, and therapeutic counselling via commissioned services for TAC families. These interventions aimed to address immediate needs while fostering long-term resilience. • The success of the locality model, particularly in the South areas, was highlighted. Co-located teams have strengthened professional collaboration, such as joint visits for tenancy support. • Both primary and secondary schools were engaged and the pilots were extensions of the original TAC model. • The pilot's progress will be reviewed by March 2025, with findings integrated into a broader transformational program for Children’s Services. • This program aims to ensure consistency and avoid creating disparities in service quality across areas. Findings will be reported to the Transformation Board in April-May 2025, with further decisions about rollout and future reporting aligned with the overarching review of preventative services and sustainability efforts. • The importance of supporting areas with less established community infrastructure, whilst acknowledging the benefits of place-based locality models. • Officers explained that the pilot was part of a broader review of preventative services aimed at building community capacity in areas of need. This included leveraging existing organisations, early help programs, and Families First-funded initiatives. • The South was chosen for the pilot specifically due to its weaker infrastructure on the basis that if it could be delivered here, it could be replicated in other areas. AGREED: (i) That the committee expresses gratitude to officers and lead members for their efforts and looks forward to further evidence of the pilots' success. (ii) That a report be submitted to the committee in approximately six months to provide an update on the pilots, including findings and how they fit into the department's wider change program. (iii) That any relevant updates on broader reviews be included in the report, where available. (iv)That the committee finalises the details of the update during future planning meetings.
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