Agenda and minutes

Councillor P Bright.

None.

The minutes of the previous meeting held 12^th July 2022 were accepted as a true and accurate record.

Invitees:

Sally-Anne Jenkins - Strategic Director of Social Services

Councillor Stephen Marshall – Cabinet Member for Social Services

Councillor Jason Hughes – Cabinet Member for Social Services

The Cabinet Member for Social Services highlighted the continued work of staff thanked them.

The Strategic Director introduced the report.

The Strategic Director highlighted that part of the year was subject to pandemic restrictions however staff continued to deliver almost all services. The Strategic Director highlighted the dedication and commitment to the vulnerable by staff.

The Strategic Director informed the committee an assurance check had been performed by the Care Inspectorate Wales and their comments showed that the services had been delivered safely and effectively. The Strategic Director felt that the report showed that staff in Children’s Services continued to work creatively and innovatively despite past and continued challenges.

The Strategic Director highlighted the continued development in residential care and stressed that they had a strong commitment to developing enhanced provision for the children of Newport. The Strategic Director commented that Newport City Council was ahead of other Local Authorities ending profit in children’s social care and this was due developing its own provision.

The Strategic Director informed committee that Windmill Farm should be opened shortly and that the builders were expected to handover Social Services within the fortnight.

The Strategic Director informed committee that they had been able to support asylum seeking children not only within Newport but regionally due to the level of their expertise.

The Strategic Director acknowledged that there had been an underspend but informed committee that this was not an indicator that the service areas did not need the resources allocated. The Strategic Director informed committee that they had received funding and grants from Welsh Government that had assisted in their budget, but that was coming to an end.

The Strategic Director highlighted that they were keen to drive Corporate Parenting forward and to act proactively but there had been delays nationally. The Strategic Director echoed the Cabinet Member’s words of thanks and congratulations to service area staff.  

The committee thanked the Strategic Director and her teams for the work done despite the challenges and added their appreciation for the videos.

Questions:

The committee asked whether the Strategic Director of Social Services foresee any challenges resulting from the Basic Income Pilot for care leavers?

·       The Strategic Director acknowledged the concern for the safety of young people within the pilot and any resulting challenges. The Strategic Director assured committee that the primary focus would be on supporting young people within the pilot to remain safe. The Strategic Director highlighted that they had successfully raised with the Welsh Government to change payments from monthly to a fortnightly and rent would be payable directly to Landlords. The Strategic Director informed committee that they had already identified all 43 children within Newport that would be eligible for the pilot. The Strategic Director felt that the small number would enable the service area to work closely with the identified children.
 

The committee asked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Invitees:

Mary Ryan – Head of Adult Services

Councillor Stephen Marshall – Cabinet Member for Social Services

Councillor Jason Hughes – Cabinet Member for Social Services

The Cabinet Member for Social Services introduced the report. The Cabinet Member for Social Services thanked staff for their work and resilience.

The Head of Adult Services presented the report.

The Head of Adult Services felt positive despite increasing pressures. The Head of Adult Services informed committee that there are issues with staffing and so was important to be mindful when delivering services to ensure that the most vulnerable receive help.

The Head of Adult Services highlighted the emphasis on ensuring that people are being kept out of hospital during winter where possible and safe and cared for at home. The Head of Adult Services informed committee that this has been done by using funding to concentrate on carers who support people in the community.

The Head of Adult Services informed the committee about the accreditation that Newport gained as an Older Person City.

Questions:

The committee asked whether there was a date for the development of a regional appointeeship service to begin.

·       The Head of Adult Services informed committee that they had been working closely with Caerphilly and that the appointeeship service is almost self-funding. The Head of Adult Services informed committee that there is also a deputyship that helps ensure that money is used wisely and those who required a deputyship will have been managed by Caerphilly with the next step being the appointeeship. The Head of Adult Services confirmed that they were satisfied with the partnership with Caerphilly and that the scheme needed to grow. The Head of Adult Services explained that there was not a timescale in having a regional service as the work is ongoing. 
 

The committee asked for an explanation of appointeeship and deputyship.

·       The Head of Adult Services explained that an appointeeship was a service supplied by the council to help those who couldn’t manage their own money by giving them allowances and supporting them to manage their own finances. The Head of Adult Services explained that a deputyship dealt with those who had a considerable amount of money to ensure that they are looking after that in the most effective way as a form of safeguarding.

The committee what was being done to address staffing shortages and reduced capacity in home care.

·       The Head of Adult Services informed committee that they had taken part in panel groups that have looked at what could be done at every level. The Head of Adult Services informed committee that Newport outsources its domiciliary care and has been in a good position working with a range of providers. The Head of Adult Services expressed concern for the future as many carers are leaving the profession which is causing the shortage in addition to the need for consistency for cared for people 

The committee queried grants and funding for carers such as grants to assist with driving lessons.

·       The Head  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Following the completion of the Committee reports, the Committee will be asked to formalise its conclusions, recommendations and comments on previous items for actioning.

The committee felt that the reports were comprehensive and thanked the Officer’s and their teams for their hard work throughout their service areas.

The committee asked that a copy of the letter provided to Children and Young People’s Services regarding the Care Inspectorate Wales’ findings be circulated to committee for information.

The committee asked that a breakdown be provided detailing where the underspend for Children and Young People’s Services be circulated to committee for information.

The committee asked that once a date is confirmed for the handover of Windmill Farm, a visit be arranged to site for committee.

The committee asked that information sessions be scheduled for them and Heads of Services/Strategic Directors to detail the differences between DOLS and LPS and to go through national performance measures in more detail.

The committee asked that information specific to the Newport area be provided regarding the Home First initiative.

The committee raised some comments on presentation:

·       They noted that the Service Area Risk graph and table could be presented on its own page with context provided for both reports for clarity.

·       They noted that they found it misleading where areas were a) marked complete but work was still ongoing and b) a N/A was shown where work was still ongoing.

The committee welcomed the partnership between the Cabinet Members and Directors/Heads of Service.

a)      Actions Arising (Appendix 1)

The Scrutiny Advisor reported to the committee that there was not a Forward Work Programme at that time, and it would be presented to committee as soon as possible.

13^th September 2022 at 10am.

13^th September 2022 at 10am.