Agenda item

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

The Group Director Community and Children’s Services thanked Members for the opportunity to present to them the Draft Director of Social Services Annual Report for 2020/2021 year. The Group Director explained that with the aide of a Power-Point both he and the Director of Children’s Services would present Members with the key areas. It was explained that Members are asked to consider the draft version of the report before going to public consultation and reminded Members that feedback from this meeting will be considered before the final report is presented to Cabinet for its approval.

Members were reminded that the Social Services and Well- being (Wales) Act 2014 includes in Part 8 A Code of Practice with regards to the role of the Director of Social Services. The Code of Practice states that the Director of Social Services must prepare and publish an annual report about the exercise of the Local Authority’s social services functions and that the annual report must be published as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of the financial year.

The Group Director gave an overview of the response to the COVID -19 Pandemic, graphs were presented to the Committee for consideration showing the rates of cases across the Authority. Members also consider the impact on the staff across the services throughout this time. Members took time to acknowledge the work that has been carried out by staff across the sector and asked for it to be recorded that Members thanked all staff for their hard work and resilience throughout these unprecedented times.

Officers explained that staff wellbeing has been at the forefront for the service and a new staff wellbeing model has been developed.  Members were presented with an overview of the community and wellbeing support that was delivered during the last twelve months.

The Group Director gave a summary of the financial support for the service, he also highlighted the ongoing work with partners such as Health etc.

The Director of Children’s Services gave an overview of the work throughout the last year within Children’s Services under the following headings:

·         Demand on the Service;

·         Child Protection Register;

·         Children Looked After;

·         Improving Performance , Working towards improvement;

·         Work of Children’s Services;

·         Future development

·         Challenges.

Finally the Group Director concluded by explaining to Members of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee that the service will continue to work towards strengthening family support, ensuring where possible that children looked after accommodation is brought as close to home as possible, listen to the voice of the young person when developing interventions and making early intervention and prevention key priority.

The Chair thanked the officers for a very informative report and opened up the meeting for Member’s questions and observations.

A Member asked a question on support for staff whilst working from home during the pandemic especially those single parents having to trying to adapt with our digital policy and could we have a look at the policy to take into account these situations. He also wanted clarity on the work of CAMHS and asked if there could be an update from schools that have had input from the service.

The Group Director explained that in general terms the Council had reacted quickly to agile working and provided equipment to staff across the authority to carry out their roles. The majority of instances staff have welcomed this and this was reflected in a staff survey that had been carried out with good response.  In terms of CAMHS Members will be able to put their points to officers responsible for CAMHS when they attend Scrutiny later this year but Members may wish to explore acess and waiting times and the range of services available.

Members asked for more qualitative data than quantitative data in the report and felt this would show more of individual story going forward. Officers acknowledge the request and would consider this going forward.

Members put forward comments on the support for young people during the summer holidays, the work of the resilient families’ service and whether families and young people’s needs are being met especially with the lack of face to face interaction. Officers replied that work is being carried out to ensure support is available even though it may be via a hybrid approach and anyone one needing face to face contact is able to under strict guidelines.

One main concern for Members is that of staffing and staff retention especially with the sickness rates and the amount of people being contacted by the track and trace application for Covid -19.

Members asked what procedures are in place to try and attract staff to the service and also wanted clarity on what the authority had in place to retain staff as they are crucial in providing a safe haven for our child and young people and families across the County Borough.

The Chair asked if there could be a staff survey to get an understanding of what the authority can do to retain staff within the service and develop their knowledge.  The Chair also raised concerns in respect of the provision of mental health and wellbeing services for our children and young people especially after what has been a very stressful twelve months.

Officers explained that there is work being carried out in respect of a pay review also looking at strategies to develop the service however this is very challenging and we will continue to work with staff etc. to get the best outcomes for our children and young people.

In relation to the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people officers explained that they are working with health and regional  partnership board to develop new strategies for the future, joint planning workshops are considering  new strategies and officers would bring any information back to the Committee when they are able.

After further discussion Members RESOLVED to:

·         Acknowledge the content of the report;

·         Receive reports back in relation to staffing recruitment and sickness absences when they are able;

·         That feedback from the Committee would be consider when finalising the report.