Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee support the proposals as set out in the report, including that of Flintshire as the host Authority;

(b)       That the Committee support the development of information protocols, to include cross county confidentiality, data protection, referral criteria and allocation from each Authority to be drawn up and agreed and an extension to the existing Section 58(1) agreement which Wrexham have in place be negotiated with the relevant agencies involved;

(c)        That the Committee support the setting up of an Integrated Family Support Service during 2013 and make recommendations to Cabinet for approval;

(d)       That an update report on the IFSS be provided to the Committee in September 2013 together with an update on exit strategies.      

The Service Manager for Childrens Fieldwork Service introduced a report to report to Members on the Local Authority’s response to the Welsh Government (WG) requirement that they set up an Integrated Family Support Service (IFSS) during 2013.

The WG had requested information from all Local Authorities in Wales on how they intend to roll out the IFSS model in their area during 2013, including information on governance and operational considerations.  Wrexham already had an established team in keeping with the IFSS guidance and following consultation, it had been proposed that an integrated team be established across the two counties hosted by Flintshire.

Councillors P.J. Curtis and S. Jones both welcomed the report with Councillor Curtis commenting positively on the recent television advertisements to highlight mental health issues.  Councillor Jones asked how referrals would be presented to the IFSS.

The Service Manager explained that referrals could be made via General Practitioners who would refer patients to the Duty and Assessment Team before being referred to the IFSS.  The team were currently working on producing exit strategies for the Service.  

Councillor D.E. Wisinger raised concerns on welfare reform, specifically the introducing of a bedroom tax, which could impact disabled people who had empty bedrooms to enable carers to stay with them.

The Cabinet Member for Social Services explained that Paul Neave, Team Manager Advice & Homeless Services was undertaking work to identify how the welfare reform proposals would impact carers.  The Chair suggested that Paul Neave be asked to provide a briefing note on the possible impact of welfare reform on service users to the Committee.   

The Director of Community Services commented on the IT systems which would need to be put in place to enable data to be collated across the border parameters for the purposes of WG reporting.  He thanked the Committee for their supportive comments and advised that the report would be submitted to Cabinet for approval. 

The Chair asked that an update report on the IFSS be provided to the Committee in September 2013 together with an update on exit strategies.    

               RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee support the proposals as set out in the report, including that of Flintshire as the host Authority;

(b)       That the Committee support the development of information protocols, to include cross county confidentiality, data protection, referral criteria and allocation from each Authority to be drawn up and agreed and an extension to the existing Section 58(1) agreement which Wrexham have in place be negotiated with the relevant agencies involved;

(c)        That the Committee support the setting up of an Integrated Family Support Service during 2013 and make recommendations to Cabinet for approval;

(d)       That an update report on the IFSS be provided to the Committee in September 2013 together with an update on exit strategies.