Loading
The Scrutiny Performance Panel for Child and Family Services met on 18 June 2026. It appointed Cllr Mark Tribe as Convener, agreed its role, and heard a verbal update on the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) inspection of the service. It also reviewed April 2026 performance and agreed a 2026-27 work plan that adds the full CIW inspection report for the July meeting.
Cllr Mark Tribe was appointed as Convener of the Panel.
No disclosures of interest were received.
No declarations were made.
Panel agreed the Minutes of the meeting on 24 February 2026 as an accurate record of the meeting.
Letter to Cabinet Member following the meeting on 24 February 2026 was noted.
No questions were received.
Panel agreed its role.
Julie Davies, Head of Child and Family Services provided a verbal update on the recent CIW inspection which took place 16-19 March 2026. Key Points: • Positive feedback from CIW on areas of strong practice and leadership • High levels of engagement from children, families, staff and partners during the inspection process • Confirmation areas for improvement have been identified and are being progressed through an action plan • The report (under embargo at the time of the meeting) was due for publication the following day. The Panel was encouraged to hear the overall findings are positive and aligned with performance reporting. Panel agreed that the full inspection report should be considered in detail at the next meeting. Actions: • Add item ‘CIW Inspection of Child and Family Services – Full Report ‘to agenda for Panel meeting on 28 July 2026.
Alyson Anthony, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families and Julie Davies, Head of Child and Family Services introduced the report for April 2026, highlighting both performance and pressures across the Service. Key Points Made: • Rising demand, including a 21% increase in contacts, largely linked to partner enquiries. • Safeguarding pressures, driven mainly by larger sibling groups entering the system. • Placement challenges, including use of unregulated arrangements to keep children local. • Workforce position, including 66 vacancies, with most posts in recruitment or at offer stage. Key questions from Members: • What are the main drivers of rising safeguarding demand, including increases in child protection activity and public law proceedings? • What actions are being taken to prevent escalation and reduce demand? • What is the impact of 66 vacancies on service delivery and how is workforce stability being maintained? • Why are vacancies not always visible on council job listings? • Is sickness absence primarily short-term or long-term, and how is it being managed? Panel noted the proactive measures to manage demand and support families, welcomed improving workforce resilience and reduced sickness absence and recognised ongoing risks relating to demand, placements and workforce capacity.
Panel reviewed the draft work plan and agreed its Work Plan for 2026-27 with the addition of the item ‘CIW Inspection of Child and Family Services – Full Report’.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.