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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1 - Civic Centre

Contact: Meryl Lawrence  Scrutiny Adviser

Items
No. Item

1.

Nomination of a Chairperson for the Meeting

Minutes:

Members voted for Cllr Stephen Marshall to be the Chairperson for the meeting.

2.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

None.

3.

National and Regional Adoption Services pdf icon PDF 123 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 Attendee:

-       Sally-Ann Jenkins (Head of Children and Young People Services)

 

The Head of Service presented a brief overview to the Committee and highlighted they key areas for consideration. It was explained that the reason for this report and the Fostering report has come to the Partnerships committee is that it part reflects the regional work. In relation to Adoption, it is an arrangement in statue, we can’t run our own adoption service, the terms are set out in legislation. South East Wales Adoption Service (SEWAS) neatly maps the same footprint as Health and Police colleagues in Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Caerphilly and Torfaen. Members were then advised that all three Heads of Services are still in post within SEWAS, which shows consistency.

 

It was agreed to have a single employer - Blaenau Gwent, working from Mamhilad  We all contribute. Adoption effects a small amount of children but adoption is the most draconian and life change decision for a child’s life. Whilst there is a small group of children, there is a weight of decision making for children. It was advised that there are still things to iron out regarding government. There are o powers to enforce anything. She can guide and direct, can’t enforce, which can create tension.

 

SEWAS was set up as a partnership across Wales to improve services. We know England and Wales have a number of people wanting to adopt. The creation of service and collaboration to build healthier and greater adopters.

Within the report, officers have laid out background and laid out National Adoption Service report. Key data for Newport is included. Challenges are that there is a still struggle to recruit adopters for Newport, and sibling groups for older children. It is easier to adopt babies, 2 - 3 year olds is a challenge. Finding adopters for children who have disabilities is also a struggle too, as well as children who can be challenging to care for. Whist children post adoption can settle well, when they hit High School etc, they can raise questions about their identity, which can be flare points.

 

 

Members asked the following:

 

·                  Members commented that although it is a regional report, they were hoping to see a bit more in depth how it impacts Newport and is it value for money. The issues raised in the report are generically about regions, are we doing well in areas and how many people in Newport are adopting? Members were advised that it would be difficult to give an answer for how many people in Newport are adopting, as they could adopt in other places such as Cardiff and Bristol as well.

 

·                With Newport using the pool as much as everyone else, do you feel that allocation is fair? Members were advised that it is fair, as it is about matching carers to children. There is no incentive for them to place more children in one authority, there is nothing to gain. If the match is wrong and the adoption cracks, then it raises  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

4.

Fostering Services pdf icon PDF 127 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Attendee:

-       Sally-Ann Jenkins (Head of Children and Young People Services)

-       Joanne Llewellyn (Service Manager Resources, Children and Young People Services)

 

The Head of Children and Young People Services presented a brief overview to the Committee and highlighted they key areas for consideration. Fostering, although not regional service it is important to bring to the committee as it talks about a regional service linked into regional partnerships.

The report outlines work the completed, recruitment strategy and communication panel. Fostering, like Adoption, has an aging population, fewer people wish to be foster carers. The Council has a comp need in children in foster that place a challenge in how we care for those children. 22 local authority recruitment and large number of agencies. In fostering, diff position where 22 LA, far too children involved, but also have large number of national and international agencies who recruit. More challenging area. Need more, more children to place and more competition.

The five local authorities pay different amounts and are all fishing for foster carers. Newport foster carers can foster for any other agency or authority for example a foster carer living in Rogerstone could foster for Caerphilly and Cardiff. The National Fostering Framework has looked at national issues. Some work has been done around foster agencies. Some weaknesses of the National Fostering Framework is that it isn’t strong enough about out work around agencies and is a bit slow.working regionally. There is a funded Regional Officer that is funding out of the framework which is looking at issues, but it is still slow. Newport pay less than a few other authorities and considerably less than Cardiff, and all of agencies.

 

A challenge for Fostering is branding and how do we better promote fostering. We’ve done significant amount of work but what else can we offer apart from money. Support and benefits for foster carers are also important. The support given to foster workers are link workers, training, hours of support, peer support is strong. The Foster Care Forum raised issues that when placements end it can be emotionally draining. The Council has been able to offer wider packages, such as access to Newport Live leisure facilities.

 

To advertise Fostering Services, officers attend Over 50 events, advertise through Twitter and Facebook. If people phone us, they need to speak to someone straight away, so it is important for them to be able to talk to someone who can give information and arrange a visit. 20 Reasons to Fostering is a National campaign that Welsh Government have agreed to fund. Early next year Fostering across Wales is being released. This will be interesting as Foster Wales is a national brand. We would have Foster Newport and would have our own materials for Newport. Themes will be the same, but will be customised for local use.

 

 

Members asked the following:

 

·                If people want to become foster carers how do they get in touch? It was advised that information is on the NCC website. You can  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Scrutiny Adviser Reports pdf icon PDF 123 KB

a)       Forward Work Programme Update (Appendix 1)

b)       Scrutiny Letters / Public Services Board Minutes (Appendix 2)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Attendees:

·                Meryl Lawrence (Scrutiny Adviser)

 

a)         Forward Work Programme Update

 

The Scrutiny Adviser presented the Forward Work Programme, and informed the Committee of the topics due to be discussed at the next two committee meetings:

 

Wednesday 5 February 2020 at 5pm, the agenda items;

·               Education Achievement Service (EAS) Business Plan

·               Well-being Plan Mid-Year Update

 

Wednesday 18 March 2020 at 5pm, the agenda item;

·               Regional Safeguarding