Agenda item

To consider the Director of Social Services Draft Annual Report (Pre- Scrutiny)

The Group Director Community and Children’s Services explained to Members that the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 in Part 8 A Code of Practice states that the Directors of Social Service must prepare and publish an annual report about the exercise of the Local Authority’s social services functions and that this report must be published as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the financial year.

The Group Director along with the Director of Children’s Service with aid of a Power –Point presentation presented Members with some of the key priorities for both Adult and Children’s Services:

·         Overview of performance;

·         Response to the Covid -19 pandemic;

·           Impact on staff, Carers, adult in needing support, etc.

·          How are people shaping our services;

·         What did we plan to do in 2020- 21

·         Key Quality measurers;

·         Complaint and Compliments;

·         Welsh Language

·         Promoting and improving the wellbeing of people we help.

·         Key Priorities for 2021/ 2022

The Chair thanked the Group Director Community and Children’s Services for a very comprehensive report and presentation and opened up the meeting for Members questions and observations.

Members thanked the Group Director, Officers and staff and volunteers across Rhondda Cynon Taf for all their hard work and commitment over the last 18 months. A Member asked what impact has been had on the Stay Well @ Home Service during the pandemic and where are we now.

In response the Group Director explained that Stay Well @ Home Service has two aspects, “Stay Well@ Home1” which is focused the hospital discharge and has worked well throughout the pandemic. “Stay Well @ Home 2” link to enhancing the single point of access and extending access out of hours services. Some of this project had to be put on hold during the height of the pandemic and is slowly being reintroduced however it is too early to say the result of the project, we will bring information back in the future. Other projects had been put on hold also such as the mobile responders but have now been successfully implemented.

A Member commented on the work of the carers and stated that the work has been exceptional and they have gone above and beyond the Member gave an example of the work that has been carried out by carers. The Member also wanted to highlight that the Members helpline has proved an excellent service during this time.

 In respect of Adult Safeguard there had been 7% increase in referrals is this due to a better referral process, the Member continued and raised concerns in relation to the financial pressures on the service and wanted to know what plans are in place to deal with these pressure with our increasing elderly population.

In response the Group Director explained that in relation to safeguarding figure he did not have the information to hand but explained that there is greater awareness and this is a contributing factor.  With regards to the financial pressures the Group Director explained that there is some serious work to be done to reconcile increasing demand and complexity with finite resources also the role of preventative measures and early intervention.

 Members put forward further questions and observation relating to the report especially that of work carried out in respect of Covid – 19 and wanted clarity in respect of the high numbers of constituents having covid and wanted to understand what work was being done with partners in Health to try and address the situation.

After further questions Members RESOLVED to:

·         Acknowledge the content of the Report

·         The Group Direct Community and Children’s Services consider Member’s comments when completing his final report before it is presented to Cabinet.