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Agenda item

Director of Social Services Annual Report 2018-2019

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Social Services presented to Council the Annual Report of the Director of Social Services.

 

This was not normally presented by the Cabinet Member however the Corporate Director had retired in November 2019. 

 

Performance adults – strong performance generally

Hospital Discharge is just above where it should be but this is a complex area of work and the figure is representative of greater activity in the hospitals.

 

Initiatives such as In Reach where Social Workers start to work with patients to plan their discharge whilst still on the ward and the availability of Reablement services lead to faster turnaround times that can result in increased pressure on community based social care services

 

Reablement is having a positive impact with 84% of people discharged from the service with no further support needs or with a reduction in their care plan.

 

To further support and develop this culture we are moving towards a an intake model of Reablement which means that even people who have never had a care package are given Reablement upon discharge to ensure their independence is  maximised.

 

Performance children – the end of year figures are reasonable within the context of increasing number and complexity of referrals.

58% of the measures are green – nine measures have shown an improvement against the previous period. A growing degree of complexity and increased demand has had a significant impact on the ability to meet WG targets

 

The number of children supported to remain with their family is 8% below target and joint working arrangements between Barnardo’s and NCC staff have been improved with the introduction of Family Group Conferencing where families work together with professionals in a structured way to resolve their issues.

 

The number of children returned home from care should be at 13% and it is at 8.3%.  This reflects the level of complexity around cases and reassurance can be given that all children are regularly reviewed and the best option is found for the child

The percentage of children who have had 3 or more placements is at 15.63% against a target of 9%.  To mitigate this the Corporate Parenting Forum has been reinvigorated and consultation opportunities with children and young people have been improved to ensure we have sufficient resources to support children when they first come into care.

 

Levels of homelessness within care leavers has increased to 21% against a target of 10%.  This reflects National trends but focussed work is being undertaken in Newport to review all of the 16+ accommodation.  Additional properties have been sourced and a Service Manager supported by a Team Manager oversees all  accommodation related services

Care leavers in education, training or employment 12 months after leaving care is recorded as 36.36% against a target of 50%, the number improves at 24 months to 49%.  This has been a trend in past years but work will be focussed in 2019/20 to improve choices for work experience, apprenticeships and training opportunities.

 

The Welsh Government were currently consulting on a new set of measures that will be implemented on a phased basis from 2020.

 

Early Intervention & Prevention

 

Adults

Information, advice and assistance - First Contact Team is where people can be signposted by a multi-disciplinary team including Safeguarding, OT’s and Housing Advice, sensory impairment, direct payment and financial advice.

 

79% of adults who received advice and assistance from the First Contact Team did not make a further enquiry within 6 months – indicates the provision of appropriate support at the earliest point.

 

The citizen survey recorded that 66% of adults received the right advice and information when needed

 

Home first is an example of a WG transformation programme regional initiative that has extended the offer of IAA to the hospital setting as the team offer support to people on pre admission wards with a view to preventing admission.  The initiative started in November 2018 and indications are that it is becoming embedded into hospital culture and is now a key partner in the process of discharge planning.

 

The report was the Director’s evaluation of 2018/19 performance for Social Services.  It conformed in format and content with the statutory requirements for the Director’s Report.

 

Comments from Councillors:

 

§  Councillor Truman noted the report showed evidence based, very good work, intertwined with the wellbeing objectives and thanked all the officers, carers, families and volunteers, who had often faced difficult times and this should be applauded and in particular the volunteers who were the unsung heroes.

 

§  Councillor Giles agreed entirely with Councillor Truman and thanked all those involved for their outstanding work.  There was a need to focus on the young carer service and the knock on effect in their home life and school work.  The support for young carers was fantastic, with the provision of away days and support groups with an opportunity for children to meet up in similar circumstances.

 

§  Councillor Jeavons echoed the comments of his colleagues and referred to the reduction in custodial sentences; only four for the period, which was the lowest recorded in Newport.  Councillor Jeavons asked that this be raised in Primary Schools within Newport.

 

§  Councillor Guy highlighted that this was an important service that covered all ages and back grounds and if this service fell down, would have serious consequences. 

 

§  Councillor M Evans mentioned that the Conservative group welcomed the report although it was not all a bed of roses.  Homelessness figures with 10% of young people leaving care which had doubled from 12.5% to 22%.  It was therefore hoped there was a significant improvement since the report for 18/19 was published. Secondly the report referred to the excellent work Barnardos had undertaken to keep families together and it was hoped the budget cuts would not have an impact on this service.  Finally, concern was raised at the Scrutiny Management Committee in November in relation to performance measures required by Welsh Government.  There was an inconsistent interpretation and methodology recorded across Wales were not robust; such as dental care for children which was low in percentage.  Councillor Evans therefore welcomed the Cabinet Member writing to the Welsh Government and requested that he write again regarding these issues.

 

§  Councillor D Williams drew attention to positive comments from young children put in the report of their experience with Newport, notwithstanding the issues raised by his colleague.

 

§  The Deputy Mayor invited the Cabinet Member to reply.  Councillor Cockeram had raised concerns with the Minister, as mentioned by Councillor Evans and would take on board the comments regarding Barnardo’s.  This was currently out  for consultation.  Homelessness was an issue and Newport must do more and provide floating support.

 

Resolved:

The Council unanimously agreed to receive the Annual Report of the Director of Social Services, 2018/19.

 

Supporting documents: