Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee welcomes the progress made in response to the CSSIW inspection report, including progress in reducing and managing repeat referrals, and progress made with the implementation of the new structure that was agreed at Cabinet on 16 February 2016; and 

(b)       That the Committee requests a further progress report in 6 month’s time.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced a report on the strategic action plan in relation to the CSSIW Inspection into Children’s Fieldwork Services which was carried out during May and June 2015.  He advised that the report also focussed on the referral  process in operation within Children’s Services and highlights referral sources and trends.   The Chief Officer referred to the key areas that were subject to scrutiny in the CSSIW Inspection Report.  As a result of the CSSIW Inspection recommendations were made to the Council which resulted in a robust action plan being implemented.  A copy of the action plan was appended to the report and the Chief Officer reported that a number of the recommendations had been completed and actions were being worked through.  The Chief Officer invited the Senior Manager Children’s and Workforce Services  to report on the key actions contained within the plan which are instrumental in securing significant achievement in taking forward the themes from the inspection. 

            Senior Manager Children’s and Workforce Services reported on progress concerning the implementation of a revised structure in children’s Services, developing the approach to assessment and implementation of a quality assurance framework.  He drew attention to the proposed operation structure for Fieldwork and Resources services which was appended to the report and explained that it was intended to have in place by April 2016 to meet implementation of the Social Services Well Being Act.

            The Children’s Fieldwork Manager reported on the measures taken to reduce re-referrals as detailed in the report and referred to changes in the “front door” process which was accessed by the public and other agencies to make referrals into the department.  He also commented on changes around the Early Intervention Services which are now integrated into Children’s Services with Team Around the Family and the Family Information Service forming a part of the referral process.  He highlighted data in the report to demonstrate that the issue over repeat referrals is starting to diminish and advised that it was anticipated that there would be further reduction following work completed on a regional basis with North Wales Police to look at the Police notification forms to determine what information is provided.  The Senior Manager Children’s and Workforce Services referred to the potential to tap into resources in Education Services and advised that work was currently being undertaken to see what can be done to enhance work before it becomes a referral to social services. 

The Chair thanked the Chief Officer and his team for their  presentations and invited Members to raise questions. 

Councillor David Healey welcomed how the change was being managed and applauded the improved continuity of social worker input as he had been aware of issues with continuity in the past.  He also welcomed the increased focus on other  agencies.  He  expressed concern regarding the intervention in the early years and sought assurances that if the bulk of referrals came in from one geographical area this would not mean that other areas were neglected.  Councillor Healey  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66