Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

There were no declarations of interest. 

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2019

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2019 were submitted.

Councillor David Wisinger moved that the minutes be approved as a correct record and this was seconded by Councillor Gladys Healey.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

(a)       That the draft Forward Work programme as submitted be approved;

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee be authorised to vary the forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

(c)        That the progress made in completing the outstanding actions be noted.

The Facilitator presented the Forward Work Programme and drew attention to the items to be considered at the next meeting of the Committee on 30 January.  She referred to a presentation on the North East Wales Community Equipment Store (NEWCES) to provide Members with an update on the work undertaken at the equipment store.  The Facilitator also reminded Members that the meeting of the Committee scheduled for 26 March 2020 would be held at Hwb Cyfle.  She invited Members to contact her or the Chair with any further items they wished to add to the Forward Work Programme.

The Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator  presented the progress report on actions arising from previous meetings.  She reported that there were no actions outstanding. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the draft Forward Work programme as submitted be approved;

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee be authorised to vary the forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

(c)        That the progress made in completing the outstanding actions be noted.

(a)          That the Committee receives  the Annual Report  (April 2018 – March 2019);

(b)          That progress be noted in relation to the Review of the North Wales Adoption Service (Autumn 2019); and

(c)          That the Committee receives an updated report on the North Wales Adoption Service in March 2020

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced a report to provide an overview of the performance and quality of the work of the North Wales Adoption Service.    He advised that the report identified the key activities for the period April 2018 – March 2019 and provided an update on the re-design/re-structuring of the North Wales Adoption Service (2019/2020) and the introduction of the new service element for post adoption from Spring  2020.  He invited the Resources Service Manager to present the report,

The Resources Service Manager  provided background information and referred to the Annual Report and Quality of Care Review (2018/19) and the Business Case for the review of the North Wales Adoption Service which were appended to the report.  He explained that the Annual Report was a wide ranging document which sought to capture the work and the legal, financial, and staffing arrangements of the North Wales Adoption Service.  He reported on the key areas as detailed in the report.

Members asked how the North Wales Adoption Service compared with the service offered to potential adopters in the private sector. The Resources Service Manager  explained that there was no evidence to suggest that potential adopters received a better or worse service in the private sector than that provided by the North Wales Adoption Service and said it was a matter of individual choice.  However, he commented on the ongoing quality of support and guidance provided to adopters by the North Wales Adoption Service.

Councillor Paul Cunningham spoke in support of the excellent work undertaken by the North Wales Adoption Service and the Adoption Panel. 

Councillor Dave Mackie expressed concerns around the issue of recruitment and referred to the proposals on the ‘business case’ which was appended to the report.  The Chief Officer responded to the questions raised and said he was not aware of any specific issue around recruitment in the host Authority.  Commenting on the proposal in the ‘business case’ to create additional staff posts he advised that grant funding was available from the Welsh Government to support the cost.   In response to the further comments and questions raised by Members it was agreed that a further report to provide an update on the North Wales Adoption Service be submitted to the Committee in March 2020.

The recommendations in the report were moved by Councillor David Wisinger and seconded by Councillor Mike Lowe.

RESOLVED: 

(a)          That the Committee receives  the Annual Report  (April 2018 – March 2019);

(b)          That progress be noted in relation to the Review of the North Wales Adoption Service (Autumn 2019); and

(c)          That the Committee receives an updated report on the North Wales Adoption Service in March 2020

That the updates on the four extra care schemes be noted and the Extra Care strategy in Flintshire be supported.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) invited Mark Holt, Registered Manager Resources and Regulated Services, to provide an update on the three operational extra care schemes and the fourth scheme which was due to open February 2020.

The Registered Manager Resources and Regulated Services provided an overview of the extra care schemes at Llys Eleanor, Shotton, Llys Jasmine, Mold, and Llys Raddington, Flint.  He reported that the schemes provided a supported accommodation solution that exceeded other forms of provision and were very successful and oversubscribed.  A fourth scheme (Plas yr Ywen, Holywell) was scheduled to be completed in January 2020 and opening on 24 February 2020 and he invited the Committee to visit to see the new facilities provided. 

During discussion the Registered Manager responded to the questions raised by the Chair around the provision of end of life care.   Councillor Paul Cunningham asked if applications from local residents for the extra care schemes were given preference to applications from people who lived outside Flintshire.  The Registered Manager advised that there was strict criteria around the allocation of apartments and people either had to live in Flintshire or have strong connections to Flintshire. 

In response to the comments from Councillor Carol Ellis about the need for an extra care scheme to be provided in Buckley, the Registered Manager  explained that based on the success of extra care to date and the projected needs of an ageing population, Flintshire could accommodate a further scheme at some point in the future if the right location became available for development.  The Chief Officer referred to funding for new development in the Buckley area and said a report would be submitted to the Committee in the New Year.

The recommendations in the report were moved by Councillor Paul Cunningham and seconded by Councillor Mike Lowe.

RESOLVED

That the updates on the four extra care schemes be noted and the Extra Care strategy in Flintshire be supported.

(a)       That the report on Flintshire Safeguarding for the period 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019 be received:

(b)       That the Committee takes due regard to the variety of activity across the Safeguarding Unit and the continuing development and improvement in service provision and the impact of the additional demands.

The Senior Manager, Safeguarding and Commissioning, introduced a report to provide information on the Joint Adults and Children’s Safeguarding provision within the county boundaries.    She advised that the report provided key statistical and performance related information about children and adults at risk for which the Authority had significant safeguarding and corporate safeguarding responsibilities.  The report also  highlighted the variety of work covered by the Safeguarding Unit and the activity undertaken and summarised some of the key learning from Child and Adult Practice reviews and Domestic Homicide Reviews.

The Safeguarding Unit Service Manager reported on the main considerations, as detailed in the report, regarding the activity of the Safeguarding Unit and referred to work related to the core responsibilities around Child Protection, Adult Safeguarding, Adults at risk, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS), and Looked After Children (LAC). The Safeguarding Unit team were also involved in regional groups, delivery groups, delivery of training for both adults and children, child practice and adult practice reviews and investigations. Key messages from the last quarter Regional Board meetings were available in the appendices to the report.

The Safeguarding Unit Service Manager reported that the Safeguarding Unit had had two successful CIW thematic inspections this year; the Adult and Children’s Safeguarding service was inspected in February and the Looked After Service was inspected in October with other areas of Children’s Services. 

During discussion Officers responded to the comments raised by the Chair around safeguarding provision  for young adults leaving the care services. 

The recommendations in the report were moved by Councillor Andy Dunbobbin  and seconded by Councillor Gladys Healey.

RESOLUTION:

(a)       That the report on Flintshire Safeguarding for the period 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019 be received:

(b)       That the Committee takes due regard to the variety of activity across the Safeguarding Unit and the continuing development and improvement in service provision and the impact of the additional demands.

To receive a verbal report from Members of the Committee.

That the information be noted.

Councillor Dave Mackie reported on his visit to Marleyfield Residential Home and commented on the ‘home from home’ atmosphere which prevailed.  He said the visit had been enjoyable and there were no matters to report.

RESOLVED:

That the information be noted.

There were no members of the press or public in attendance.