Agenda item

To submit a report by the Interim Director of Social Services.

The report of the Interim Director of Social Services updating the Executive 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 Chair and Portfolio Member for Social Services referred to progress and delivery in Children and Families’ Services and Adults’ Services respectively under the following headlines and she elaborated on the activities, developments and successes under each heading –

•           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

Referring to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Interim Director of Social Services said that Social Services determined to persevere with development initiatives during the emergency period finding alternative processes for moving them forward whilst also fulfilling the Service’s statutory responsibilities during that time. He highlighted that the benefits package introduced to attract potential foster carers to the Council’s Fostering Services has helped to recruit 7 foster carers offering 13 new foster placements for the children and young people of Anglesey which is a gratifying outcome; the package is an important factor in attracting new foster carers as is the good reputation which the Fostering Team has been building over the last few years as the service continues to develop.

Councillor Aled Morris Jones, Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee in reporting from the Committee’s 22 September meeting which considered the progress report confirmed that the Corporate Scrutiny Committee was satisfied with the pace of progress in Social Services as evidenced in the report and was happy to recommend the report for the Executive’s approval.

The Executive welcomed the report and the ongoing progress which it reflected which had been achieved in particularly challenging circumstances and collectively it thanked the Social Services’ Management and staff for ensuring the continuation of essential services during the lockdown period. The recruitment of additional Foster Carers and the opening of the first family-style home (Cartref Clyd) which would provide for looked after children from Anglesey on the Island rather than in placements out of county, were received with particular appreciation.

It was resolved to confirm that the Executive is satisfied with the pace of progress and improvements made to date within both Adults’ Services and Children and Families’ Services.