Agenda item

(a)       That the Quarter 2 Improvement Plan Monitoring Report for the Living Well priority be noted;

(b)       That regular updates on the situation with the red risk issues be received; and

(c)       That the Committee notes the work being undertaken and the actual position.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced the regular update report to consider progress towards the delivery of the impacts set out in the 2016/17 Improvement Plan, focussing on the areas of under-performance relevant to the Committee during Quarter 2.

Reasons were given for under-performance on the timeliness of child protection conferences, where the vast majority of cases had met the target.  Whilst this remained a high priority for the service, resources were often at full capacity to respond to an increasing demand and a number of conferences were being held simultaneously.  As the only red risk area, the fragility and sustainability of the care home sector remained a challenge.  Events were being held with key partners to identify improvements, positive discussions were ongoing with colleagues in Health and a newly appointed Project Manager, Gill Bailey, would be working with independent sector providers.

Councillor Dave Mackie referred to improving access to Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and said he had been informed there was no waiting list.  The Senior Manager (Children & Workforce) advised that BCUHB was reporting positive progress in refocusing its procedures and reducing waiting times.  He advised that a request would be made for information about assessment target timelines for inclusion in the next quarterly report.  In response to further queries, the Senior Manager (Safeguarding & Commissioning) shared details of the e?learning training platform to raise awareness of safeguarding amongst the workforce.  The Chief Officer advised that the draft Safeguarding Policy included a recommendation for mandatory safeguarding training to Members.  He also clarified that the report would be corrected to reflect that the Facebook page for care homes was now live.

In response to queries raised by Councillor Andy Dunbobbin, the Senior Manager (Safeguarding & Commissioning) spoke about the development of one page profiles of care homes and the format/frequency of meetings of the corporate safeguarding panel.  She accepted the point that wording on the target for the number of care homes as a ‘service of concern’ and those in ‘escalating concerns’ could be misleading.

On the delayed transfer of care, the Senior Manager (Integrated Services, Lead Adults) said that cases involved a range of complex needs and that more detail would be shared in the report scheduled for January 2017.

Councillor Hilary McGuill commended the services provided by Marleyfield Daycare Centre but raised concerns that this facility was being underused.  The Senior Manager agreed to provide a response to Councillor McGuill once her rota visit report had been received.  She gave assurance that daycare was not being reduced by stealth and that all available options were explained to individuals as part of the ‘What Matters’ conversation which enabled them to make an informed choice.  Individuals were instead choosing alternative options such as Dementia Cafés.  Councillor Christine Jones pointed out that Dementia Cafés were open every day in six different communities and also offered support for carers.  Discussion took place about the various names given to Dementia Cafés and the relocation of the facility in Buckley.

On the safeguarding training for Members, Councillor Ian Smith asked that consideration be given to evening sessions.

In addition to the recommendations, the Chair proposed that regular updates be given to the Committee on the red risk issues and to note the work taking place.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Quarter 2 Improvement Plan Monitoring Report for the Living Well priority be noted;

(b)       That regular updates on the situation with the red risk issues be received; and

(c)       That the Committee notes the work being undertaken and the actual position.