Agenda item

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Christine Jones introduced the Social Services Annual Report and explained that the Statutory Director of Social Services was required to produce the report, summarising their view on their local authority’s social care functions, and priorities for improvement, as legislated in the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and the Regulations and Inspections Act (Wales) 2015.

            The purpose of the Social Services Annual Report was to set out a self-evaluation with priorities for improvement.  The report would form an integral part of Care Inspectorate Wales’ (CIW) performance evaluation of Social Services.  The evaluation also informed the Wales Audit Office’s assessment of the Council as part of their annual improvement report.

            The Chief Officer (Social Services) explained that the style of the report followed that of previous reports and would be produced in an electronic friendly style by Double Click.  The report would also be translated and be made available in a bi-lingual format on the Council’s website following approval.

            The annual report outlined the improvement priorities identified for 2020/22 and they were detailed in the report, including the extension of Marleyfield and the implementation of the ‘Mockingbird Model’ of Fostering.

As Chair of Social and Health Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor McGuill asked a number of question which had been responded to directly via email, as detailed below:

Q - How many micro care units are up and operating caring for how many clients (lot of money going into this and perfect timing with lockdown to grow these businesses)

A - As described within the report this is a Pilot with funding coming WG Rural Communities and Economic Challenge grants, significant amounts of work had been undertaken pre Coronavirus, and we were at the point of having a number of Micro care interested and ready to go.  However this has halted due to the C19 regulations PHW guidance. We continue to develop and advertise the work we are doing and will be ready move forward with at least two micro cares once lock restriction are eased.

Q - Technology usage has expanded massively across all ages and abilities what are we doing to capture this and again grow this form of contact with people? Training is one field but so many others now is the time to “go for it”.

A - As part of the regional transformational projects, which Flintshire leads on, we have launched the get checked out website for people with a learning disability, this is a live website and it will evolve as people begin to use this, we will know how many hits we’ve had on this.  There is excellent use of technology in children’s service and this has proved to be a really popular medium during lock down, staff are reporting the young people are very engaged so good learning for the future use of tech in this area.  Alongside this our training team are using technology including Zoom and other online training resources to ensure staff are well trained and supported. Ipads are being used with individuals to help them stay in touch with family and this will continue.

Q - We state our aim is prevention rather than relying upon mental health services but how? There will certainly be more need for these services very soon.

A - We have a very successful programme of work for people with enduring mental health by way of wide ranging recovery classes and back to work schemes.  We are working with health colleagues and part of the North Wales Mental Health Transformation work to open Ican centres, one will be based in Flint Library.  This was due to open in the spring, unfortunately that is now on hold but once there is easement on the regs we will pick this work back up.  

Q - Where we are weekly testing staff in social care settings and our homes, and i am also assuming domiciliary care staff, what testing are we doing in order to protect our users?

A - Whilst this is not a question for the Director’s report, in short there are significant amounts of work going on re testing all social care staff across the sector. Residential care staff are the focus of the work at the moment as the Coronavirus is more prevalent in care homes and less so for those in receipt of care in the community. PHW website has all the details. To confirm Flintshire Social Services has led the North Wales silver Cell and are very well sighted and proactive in our approach to supporting the whole sector.    

Q - Arosfa is this being used since March? If so how?  Is there still a cost to us?

A - Yes this facility is still being used and complying with PHW regulations in relation to numbers, social distancing and priority needs for disabled children. We continue to fund Arsofa as the facility is open albeit for fewer young people.  Irrespective of whether it’s open or not there is national government guidelines in place regarding funding for services, as part of the Governments Furlough arrangements.    

Q - Day services like Hwb Cyfle - same is it being used? Costs etc.  

A - Yes this facility is still being used as above and priority needs for people with a learning disability, in addition there is significant on line work and regular contact with this group.     

Q - Assessment centre Ewloe - Social Services development team - is this a dedicated training centre?  Where is it?

A - The workforce development team are now based in Ty Dewi Sant and we have training rooms in the basement of the building to deliver training as well as having use of the auditorium for larger training sessions.

Two errors one is page 21 second column first sentence and also the third column.  Also page 37 insight twice.  

Noted and thank you.

RESOLVED:

That the annual report be approved and adopted.