Issue - meetings

That the CSSIW evaluation of performance and the Authority’s response to areas that have been identified for improvement, be noted.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced the Care & Social Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW) annual report on the evaluation of performance of Flintshire Social Services for 2013/14.

In presenting the report, Mr. Rob Gifford of CSSIW advised that previous feedback on paragraph numbering had been taken on board for future reports.  Councillor David Mackie conveyed Members’ appreciation for this.  Mr. Gifford provided background to the self-assessment of performance of Social Services carried out within each Council which, together with a range of supporting evidence, contributed to the publication of the CSSIW Annual Report.  In summarising the key messages for Adult services, he stated that there was evidence of progress in a number of areas, leading to more individuals living independently and fewer requiring residential care.  Less consistent performance was found on Children’s services, with some areas requiring strengthening, although there had been evidence of recent signs of improvement.  However, it was indicated that there had been an increase in the number of referrals to Children’s Services and those on the Child Protection Register.

Mr. Gifford drew attention to the Council’s response on progress to address areas for improvement identified for 2012/13, together with information on visits undertaken during the year and areas for follow-up next year.

The Chief Officer thanked Mr. Gifford for the report and said that the Council worked closely with CSSIW on performance issues and shared best practice throughout the year.  Within the Service Plan Improvement Priorities appended to the report, he drew particular attention to progress made on:

·         Ability to influence locally focussed strategic planning with BCUHB - where a high level of activity had been undertaken across the Council.

·         Initial child protection conference timescales / statutory visits for looked after children / timely personal education plans (PEPs) for looked after children - some areas had been identified as requiring further investment and the approach taken forward to look at the stories behind indicators to improve the quality behind statistics, for example the joint working with Education colleagues to improve PEPs.

·         Addressing the fall in numbers of known young and adult carers - good progress had been achieved through the resolution of data collection issues.

·         Reviewing the impact of recent senior management structural changes - significant progress was reported in moving to a new operational structure, with agreement of the senior management model and a third member of the team due to start in February 2015.

·         Absence Management outcomes and impact upon capacity - where significant improvements had been shown in the last year and would continue to be monitored for 2014/15.  The importance of considering the detail behind statistics was highlighted to ensure that individuals complied with reasonable expectations in terms of attendance.

In highlighting two areas of significant challenge, the Chief Officer referred to Health assessments for looked after children and work by the Council in encouraging Health partners to improve their performance.  He said that adult high quality nursing care was a national issue and that despite progress made in Flintshire, as indicated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41