Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed Members and Officer to the Corporate Parenting Board Committee.

Apologies were received from County Borough Councillors L Hooper, and Councill E Griffiths.

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct

Note:

1.     Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest: and

2.   Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

To approve, as an accurate record, the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 31^st January 2022.

To approve as an accurate record, the minutes of the meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board held on the 31^st January 2022.

To receive a report from Voices From Care Cymru which provides the Corporate Parenting Board Committee with an overview of the preparedness for Care Day 22 and approach adaptions to meet young people where they are. 

The Development Officer presented a report to the Corporate Parenting Board Committee which provided Members with a summary of the achievements made by VfCC towards the outreach of Young People and an overview of Care Day 2022.

The Development Officer introduced a young person representative to the Board and presented a written response from the young person representative based on a key theme of Care Day 2022 surrounding ‘What Makes You Thrive’. The young person representative advised the Board that what makes her thrive was knowing that there are numerous services and supporting networks which can assist in any queries or concerns she may have. She acknowledged the support service channels available, which provide her with confidence in everyday life.

The Chair thanked the young representative for her response and acknowledged the support and guidance which she provides to others.

The Development Officer began by advising Members of the importance of engagement within the group. It was advised that during the quarter, engagement had been encouraged through promotions on social media by maintaining connections with regular contact and information sharing directly with members of the group, and professionals within the Local Authority. The engagement was focused on bringing members of the group together in order to seek innovative approaches to engage with younger children aged 14-22; through collaboration with Actif Woods. The Development Officer confirmed to Members that their next collaboration with Actif Woods is scheduled for April 11^th. The Development Officer acknowledged the low participation figures which were a result of the Pandemic and Storm Franklin. This led to the cancellation of face-to-face groups, Workshops, and outdoor activities; However, as a resolution, services were provided through online activities.

The Development Officer advised Members of Care Day 2022; throughout this time, the team supported care experienced young people within Rhonda Cynon Taff (RCT) to link with care experienced people from across the 5 Nations (Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and England); This permitted young people to share their thoughts and feelings about the support provided. The Development Officer advised Members on the feedback received from young people surrounding what they needed as care experienced children or young people to thrive.

The feedback provided focused on the following: -

-       More Counselling and Mental Health Services

-       Further emotional Support (as young people felt that there was not enough understanding of their feelings and trauma/behavioural responses.)

-       Wanting consistent and positive relationships with Social Workers who could inform them of their rights.

-       Continued support for post 25 from the LA through an outreach model; and

-       Continued support to manage longer term aspirations i.e., buying a car, insurance, job opportunities etc.

The Development Officer continued by advising Members on project successes surrounding care experienced parents within RCT. The Officer advised of the support provided to local group members and other care experienced parents from RCT to contribute to several consultation opportunities throughout the last quarter. The Officer confirmed the contribution of care experienced parents to the Welsh  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

To receive the Young Carers Annual Report 2021/2022.

The Service Manager, Carers, Engagement and Direct Payments presented a report which updated Members on the work with young carers in RCT during 2021/2022.

To begin, the Service Manager, Carers, Engagement and Direct payments informed Members of the difficulties and impacts faced during the Pandemic which resulted to higher rates of referrals for young carers assessments. Due to the changes in restrictions, young cares support services were provided in smaller group sessions and individual sessions by Action for Children. The Service Manager, Carers, Engagement and Direct Payments advised Members of the Pandemic’s negative impact towards the mental health and wellbeing of young carers as they felt more isolation and anxiety.

In relation to support provided to sibling cares, the Service Manager, Carers, Engagement and Direct Payments advised Members of funding which has been allocated by the Welsh Government to provide tailored support for the group.

The Service Manager, Carers, Engagement and Direct Payments noted the importance of sibling support as it provides opportunities for sibling cares to spend quality time with a parent/ carer, something they often miss out on due to care needs of there brothers/sisters. As part of Carers Respite Grants and funds from an additional Winter of Wellbeing Grant, sibling carers and parents were given the opportunity to attend cooking activities, Winter Wonderland and Zip World.

The Service Manager, Carers, Engagement and Direct Payments informed Members of Young Adult Carers Service (YAC) for those aged 18-25. The Service Manager, Carers, Engagement and Direct Payments recognised the limited support that was provided to the group due to staffing issues; however, a new YAC worker had been appointed in January to fill the post. Similarity to young carers, mental health and wellbeing have impacted the group due to the Pandemic.

The Service Manager, Carers, Engagement and Direct Payments highlighted to Members some of the services delivered to young carers; these include the Young Carers Card, Carers Covid Film and Young Cares School award.

The Young Carers Card is a Welsh Government initiative which is primarily used for identification of young cares in schools, health and other settings as young carers have repeatedly indicated this as a need. The Service Manager, Carers, Engagement and Direct Payments informed Members that RCT was the first adopter of the scheme and thus far has had positive feedback. As part of the Carers Card improvements, the aim is to increase the benefits such as discounts in local cinemas and national retail shops.

Members were informed of the Carers Covid Film; the film featured young cares, young adult carers and adult cares. The film aimed to highlight the experience of unpaid carers of all ages during the Pandemic.

The Service Manager, Carers, Engagement and Direct Payments advised Members of the Young Carers School Award; the Award has had slow progress compared to previous years due to the impact of the Pandemic. The aim as highlighted by the Service Manager, Carers, Engagement and Direct Payments is to increase the awareness of the Award across schools in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

“That the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972 (as amended) for the next item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 13 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Act.”

It was RESOLVEDthat the press and public be excluded from the meeting under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) for the following items of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of the exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of the Schedule 12A of the Act.

To receive the report from the Group Director, Community & Children’s Services, containing exempt information

The Residential Services Manager provided the Board with an update on the Regulation 73 visits undertaken at the three children’s homes – Beddau, Bryndar Nantgwyn and Carn Ingli.

The Officer outlined a summary of the inspection outcomes, and it was RESOLVED:

-        To note the contents of the report

To consider any urgent business as the Chair feels appropriate.