Issue - meetings

(a)       That the reports be received;  and

(b)       That the Head of Social Services for Children forward the report on looked after children to the Environment and Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator and the Committee Officer for submission to the Committee and Children’s Services Forum.

A report was presented for the Committee to note and consider the 2012/13 Quarter 4/year end service performance reports, note the update on the Strategic Assessment of Risks and Challenges (SARC) contained within the performance reports and note the progress made against the Improvement Targets.

Social Services for Children

The Head of Social Services for Children gave a short presentation on the performance within the service area, outlining work which had been undertaken to improve performance and areas where improvement was needed, as outlined within the report.  She reported on the appointment of an additional interim Independent Reviewing Officer to provide support on reviews to comply with statutory requirements.  She also commented on a new report on looked after children across Wales to be made available on 17 July 2013 which she would forward to the relevant officers to share with both the Committee and the Children’s Services Forum.

Councillor H.J. McGuill felt that the two Flintshire foster carers who had been included on the Honours List should be congratulated on behalf of the Committee.  The Head of Social Services for Children was aware that the Director of Community Services was due to write to them both.  The Cabinet Member for Social Services added that the achievements of the foster carers had also been recognised at the recent Cabinet meeting.

The Chair congratulated officers on the positive report in light of the budget constraints.

Social Services for Adults

The Head of Social Services for Adults gave a similar overview on the performance in his service area.

In response to a query from Councillor McGuill on workforce absences, the Head of Social Services for Adults said that measures in place addressed both Adult’s and Children’s social care services to target specific areas where issues had been identified, in accordance with the Council’s policy.  As well as long-term absences, this included cases of repetitive short-term absences.  Although figures had increased during the year, it was hoped that an improvement would be seen as some issues had been resolved.

Councillor S. Jones stressed the importance of monitoring persistent short-term absences and felt that these should be separated from long-term absences.  The Head of Social Services for Adults assured the Committee that a measured approach was taken, supported by Occupational Health, however long-term absences would reach a point where consideration needed to be given to the post and access to any other support.  He confirmed that short and long-term cases were treated differently and said that if Members were able to raise any particular cases of concern, they would be investigated.

The Chair commented that this was a positive report where some areas were showing great improvement.

Resolved:

(a)       That the reports be received;  and

(b)       That the Head of Social Services for Children forward the report on looked after children to the Environment and Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator and the Committee Officer for submission to the Committee and Children’s Services Forum.