Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed the attendees to the virtual meeting and an apology for absence was received from County Borough Councillor J. James.

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 the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st September 2020.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Corporate Parenting Board meeting held on the 21^st September 2020.

To receive the Tros Gynnal Plant (TGP) Cymru quarterly progress report.

Ms C. Urch, Tros Gynnal Plant Cymru provided the Board with a quarterly update of progress made by Tros Gynnal Plant (TGP) Cymru.

Members were informed that during the quarter, 22 young people accessed Issue Based Advocacy, presenting with 23 issues; and a further 12 young people were referred for the Active Offer. Ten Active Offer meetings took place, with 6 young people accepting the offer of support and progressing to Issue Based Advocacy.

Members noted that the young people referred for the Active Offer during the period had decreased since Quarter 1 but were assured by Tros Gynnal Plant Cymru that this was being worked on.

Members acknowledged that of the 22 young people who accessed Issue Based Advocacy during the period, two were not met within the five working days of the referral being accepted as both young people, residing in the same house, were unwell.

It was explained that 22 young people had completed feedback with their advocate, which was positive with all 22 stating that they would use the service again.

Members were pleased to note that despite its difficulties, the advocates and young people had effectively adapted to virtual meetings to maintain their relationships and for those young people who were in need of face to face meetings, the advocates were able to accommodate all requests and meet for walks etc. One Member questioned whether it was TGP’s intention to continue advocacy meetings in a virtual setting in the future. TGP advised that although the virtual setting allowed for more advocacy meetings per day, advocates still had concerns that the young people were not always alone during their conversations. It was explained that the option would be given to each young person as to their preference, as was the usual method where they state their preference on the referral form and at their first meeting.

The Chair thanked TGP for the informative report and Members RESOLVED to acknowledge the update provided.

To receive the report of the Group Director, Community and Children’s Services, which provides the Corporate Parenting Board with the Miskin Annual Report 2019-20 and Therapeutic Families Team Annual Report 2019-20.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, the Team Development and Performance Managers at Miskin and Glyncornel provided the Corporate Parenting Board with detailed updates on the work of the Miskin Teams and Therapeutic Families Team set out in the services’ annual reports for 2019-2020.

In respect of the Miskin Team update, Members were pleased to note that despite the increasing pressures placed on staff as a result of more complex referrals, 95% of children remained at home, living with either parents or extended family members at the end of the Miskin Intervention, where the aim was to prevent children from coming into care; and 71% of children 11-17 years of age remained living in the same foster care or residential children’s home placement at the end of the Miskin Intervention, where the aim was to prevent the placement from breaking down.

In respect of the Therapeutic Families Team update, Members learned that the new multidisciplinary team had been created to offer consultation, therapeutic assessments and interventions to children and families in Rhondda Cynon Taf. 

The officer listed the wide range of services offered to individuals, families and professionals, which included individual therapy, group therapy and trauma therapy.

Members noted that 171 referrals were made to the service during the year, which was challenging for a small team of 5; and were pleased to note that despite the pressures of Covid-19, the team had adapted were still managing to meet with families through a virtual setting.

Members thanked both officers and their teams, who despite challenges, continued to deliver with passion and enthusiasm.

The Corporate Parenting Board RESOLVED to acknowledge the update.

“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 of the Group Director, Community and Children’s Services, which provides the Corporate Parenting Board with an update and overview on RCT Children’s services commissioning and monitoring of external placements for children looked after.

The Service Director, Children’s Services provided the Corporate Parenting Board with an update and overview on RCT Children’s services commissioning and monitoring of external placements for Children Looked After.

Following discussion, the Corporate Parenting Board RESOLVED to note the content of the report and the actions being taken to ensure externally commissioned placements are of high quality and are able to meet the needs of RCT children and young people looked after.

To receive the report of the Group Director, Community & Children’s Services, updating members on the Regulation 73 visits and the current position within RCT’s Residential Children’s Homes and the impact of the current Covid-19 Pandemic on service delivery to children and young people.

The Residential Services Manager provided the Corporate Parenting Board with an update on the functioning of RCT residential children’s homes and the impact of the current Covid-19 Pandemic on service delivery to children and young people.

Following discussion, the Corporate Parenting Board RESOLVED:

1.    To note the content of the report; and

2.    That the Chair sends a letter on behalf of the Corporate Parenting Board, to thank staff for going above and beyond in what has been a very difficult year.

To receive the report of the Group Director, Community & Children’s Services providing the Corporate Parenting Board with an overview of the operation and effectiveness of the statutory Social Services complaints procedure.

The Service Improvement, Engagement & Complaints Manager provided the Corporate Parenting Board with an overview of the operation of effectiveness of the statutory Social Services complaints procedure between 1^st July 2020 – 30^th September 2020.

The report contained information on the number of complaints received, the nature of the complaints and any lessons learnt, as well as detailing Councillor, A.M and M.P enquiries and the number of complaints received.

Following consideration, Members RESOLVED to acknowledge the content of the report.

To receive the report of the Group Director, Community and Children’s Services, which provides the Corporate Parenting Board Members (CPB) of the contents and recommendations, of a concise Child Practice Review (CPR); conducted by Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Children Board (CTMSB).

The Corporate Parenting Board received a presentation from the Head of Safeguarding, which informed Members of the contents and recommendations, of a concise Child Practice Review, conducted by Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Children Board (CTMSB).

Following a lengthy discussion, the Board RESOLVED to note the content of the report.