Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the last meeting held on the 15^th of June 2024 were agreed as a true and accurate record. The Committee noted that its request for supplementary information on the use of digital solution and artificial intelligence in schools was being considered with the potential of the Committee receiving a briefing note.

a)    Officer presentation

b)    Committee questioning and discussion

c)     Formation of comments and recommendations

Adult Services

Attendees:

Sally Ann Jenkins – Strategic Director for Social Services
Lucy Jackson – Interim Head of Adult’s Services
Petra Sheppard – Service Manager
Helen Lloyd – Service Manager
Cllr Laura Lacey – Cabinet Member for Social Services

The Interim Head of Adult Services (IHAS) introduced the report.

Questions:

·       The Committee asked for an update on recruitment and retention within the service area.

·       The Committee asked whether there were strategies to manage the complex workload with limited resources. The IHAS informed the Committee that the service area was undergoing restructuring alongside Children’s Services to ensure efficiency and adequate capacity to respond to casework.

·       The Committee asked for an assessment of the relationship between Social Services and health services. The IHAS confirmed the ongoing commitment to working with health services and highlighted examples of partnership working such as the Frailty service, Step Up Step Down, and Parklands. The Cabinet Member for Social Services (CMSS) noted their work on the regional partnership board. The Committee expressed disappointment that the Frailty service had not progressed in dealing with bed blocking in hospitals. The Strategic Director for Social Services (SD) highlighted the focus was on preventative measures to alleviate this challenge.

·       The Committee asked what preventative measures could be developed to reduce the need for intensive interventions in the service. The SD highlighted the work of domiciliary care as a preventative measure against further escalation. They noted the support of external organisations to ensure progress in this area. They also noted the importance of managing residents’ expectations. The CMSS noted that there are responsibilities across different sectors and service areas within the Council.

·       The Committee expressed praise for the establishment of dementia hubs in the city and asked for details of where citizens can access the Dementia Hwb. The IHAS confirmed the Hwb is in Newport Central Library  in the City Centre.

·       The Committee asked what the timescales and numbers were for those coming out of hospital that NCC supported. The IHAS noted these numbers changed weekly and were often dependent on individual care requirements. The IHAS confirmed that Centrica House has now been absorbed into the Council portfolio. The IHAS clarified that Eliminate only related to Children’s Services.

·       The Committee asked whether performance targets were challenging enough. The IHAS explained that there were multiple performance indicators (PI) collected and reported to Welsh Government (WG) which didn’t necessarily demonstrate context for service delivery impact on residents’ lives. They confirmed that feedback and discussion with WG was ongoing. The SD highlighted that this was a national issue and that while they were able to compare data, it lacked context.

·       The Committee questioned what preparation had been done for the change from the Welsh Community Care Information System (WCCIS). The CMSS stated Newport is the procurement lead for the Gwent region on an 18-month programme of transition from WCCIS, and had written to Welsh Government concerning the importance of funding for this programme.

·       The SD noted that WCCIS was not used in all local authorities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

a)    Actions Arising

b)    Forward Work Programme

a)    Actions Arising

The Scrutiny Advisor noted no changes.

b)    Forward Work Programme

The Scrutiny Advisor noted no changes and that the next meeting was scheduled for the 1^st October 2024. 

c)     Outcomes Monitoring

The Scrutiny Advisor noted no changes.