Issue - meetings

To submit a report by the Head of Children’s Services.

It was resolved that the Executive confirms it is satisfied with the pace of progress and improvements made to date within Children and Families Services.

The report of the Head of Service on progress and improvements to date within Children and Families’ Services was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Chair and Portfolio Member for Social Services highlighted the statistical information contained within the report which provides tangible evidence of the improved performance in Quarter 4 2018/19 against the key service indicators documented, and which also reflects the positive changes and developments that are happening within the service as a whole. The Service is now working to a new 3 year, 5 themed Service Development Plan which has replaced the previous Service Improvement Plan. The Chair reported that the Corporate Scrutiny Committee in considering the report had acknowledged the progress made and had congratulated the Service thereon and had also endorsed the formation of a Social Services Improvement Panel which will see the same level of scrutiny applied to Adults’ Services as Children’s Services.

The Head of Children and Families’ Service referred to the complaints and positive comments received by the service with Quarter 4 seeing a reduction in Stage 1 complaints whilst 12 compliments were logged during the quarter. Over the course of the year the Service received 30 Stage 1 complaints and 2 Stage 2 complaints; there were no Ombudsman investigations and a total of 68 compliments were received indicating appreciation for the way staff communicate and listen, their professionalism, knowledge and efficiency and the support provided. During the period new Aftercare policies have been developed and implemented as well as a policy covering financial matters for looked after children. The new Fostering Package has generated a number of enquiries about fostering some of which have progressed to assessment; it is hoped that the renewed interest will translate into additional placements on Anglesey for children who are looked after.

The Executive in congratulating Children and Families’ Services on their ongoing progress sought more information about the impact which investing in preventative measures has had and how those measures might be providing added value.

The Head of Children and Families’ Services clarified that the Resilient Families Team which seeks to provide timely intervention for families in need of support is currently working with 71 children 50 of whom could potentially have been placed in care had there not been an input by the team.

It was resolved that the Executive confirms it is satisfied with the pace of progress and improvements made to date within Children and Families Services.

It was resolved that the Executive confirms it is satisfied with the pace of progress and improvements made to date within Children and Families Services.