Agenda item

Social Services Progress Report

To present the report of the Interim Director of Social Services.

Minutes:

The report of the Interim Director of Social Services updating the Committee on progress in the Social Services was presented for consideration. The report summarised recent developments within Children’s and Adults’ Services with reference also to the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic and the response of Social Services during the lockdown period.

 

The Leader and Portfolio Member for Social Services provided an overview of recent activity; the Interim Director of Social Services and the Interim Head of Adults’ Services reported in greater detail on delivery in Children and Families’ Services and Adults’ Services respectively under the following headlines –

 

           Increasing the number of Local Authority Foster Carers

           Opening the first Cartef Clyd which will enable looked after children from Anglesey to receive care on the Island

           Opening a training flat for young people leaving care to support them to live independently for the first time

           Continuation of planning work for a new extra care housing provision in the south of the Island

           Developing the Shared Lives Programme to support people living with dementia and their carers as well as design a Dementia Strategy in line with Welsh Government’s Dementia Plan

           Developing opportunities for people with mental health needs to participate in community based group activities

           Increasing participation levels in the community hub models by promoting and developing the hubs across the Island; working to establish 3 community resources teams in Amlwch, Ysbyty Penrhos Stanley and Llanfairpwll

           Engaging and consulting with users on the Adult Learning Disability Day Opportunity Strategy to create a greater range of high quality day opportunities for individuals in their communities.

           Delivering on all statutory duties during the Covid-19 lockdown period

 

Councillor Richard Griffiths, the Committee’s representative on the Social Services Improvement Panel gave an update on the deliberations of the Panel from its meeting on 10 September (section 2 of the report refers) drawing attention to the Panel’s recommendation that the Corporate Scrutiny Committee could refer specific areas of work to the Panel for in-depth scrutiny within the broader context of the parent committee’s work programme on the Council’s response to Covid-19. Councillor Griffiths further referred to the Fostering Panel which had also met recently. The Committee noted the information and thanked Councillor Richard Griffiths for it.

 

The Committee considered the update and discussed the following matters –

 

           The Service’s plans for the medium and longer term taking into account the impact of Covid 19. The Interim Director of Social Services advised that planning ahead in any meaningful way is difficult because of the uncertainty around both how the Covid-19 crisis will continue to evolve and what its consequences will be for local government funding next year and beyond. The Leader clarified that the focus recently for local Authority Leaders in Wales has been on ensuring that pressure points are identified sooner rather than later so that Welsh Government can be lobbied promptly and also on achieving parity of treatment for Social Services with Health. A further priority has been reaching a clearer understanding of winter pressures funding for the coming winter and the availability of the Winter Pressures Grant. In the short-term the objective is to see the winter through to the end of this financial year; however it is hoped that local government’s crucial role in responding to the Covid-19 emergency will be recognised leading in the long-term to fair funding for local authorities.

           Recognising the importance of early intervention for individuals with dementia and the work being done in this respect, the Committee sought clarification of the problem in accessing GP services in the first place and thereafter in seeing a specialist for timely diagnosis. The Interim Head of Adults’ Services agreed that because of Covid-19 obtaining a GP appointment can now be a longer and increasingly virtual process. Diagnosis and support are provided through the Memory Clinic which is Health Board responsibility. As with other health matters the Authority does work closely with BCUHB on this issue and also has close contact and a good working relationship with support organisations for Alzheimer and independent providers who are able to pick up on the early signs of dementia.

           The planned extra care provision in the South of the Island currently on hold due to the decision to rescind the previous decision on the future of Ysgol Gynradd Beaumaris. The Committee enquired whether the location still meets the need for this type of provision,  whether other locations in the South of the Island are being actively considered and whether there are risks in the medium to long-term of not proceeding. The Interim Head of Adults’ Services confirmed that locations in the South of the Island are being explored whilst also considering opportunities for implementing Extra Care Light based on developing and extending existing sheltered housing provision in combination with the care available through extra care to provide community support. Alternatively, where there is sheltered housing in close proximity to a care home, care options that bridge the two provisions and allow individuals to remain within their immediate community are being looked at. Extra Care forms part of the Service’s Independent Living Strategy the aim being to seek a variety of provision to be able to meet the differing needs of the Island’s communities and enable individuals to safely remain at home for longer.

           The risk which a potential second lockdown poses to the realisation of the Service’s improvement aspirations and plans in the short-term. The Chief Executive whilst acknowledging that there is a risk advised that planning and research work can and must continue in the background as part of the process of planning for recovery and the future shape of services within communities.

           Increased Mental Health costs in Children and Families’ Services and a request for a breakdown of the costs. The Interim Director of Social Services advised that as the information was not immediately to hand he would report back to the Social Services Improvement Panel with an update to the next meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee.

 

It was resolved –

 

           To confirm that the Corporate Scrutiny Committee is satisfied with the pace of progress and improvements made to date in Social Services and

           To recommend to the Executive that progress and pace of improvements in Social Services are adequate.

 

ACTION: The Interim Director of Social Services to report back to the Social Services Improvement Panel with a breakdown of the increased Mental Health costs in Children and Families’ Service and to update the Committee on the same at its next meeting.

 

Supporting documents: