Agenda item

(a)       That the reports be received; 

(b)       That Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board be advised about the concerns of Members about care for those with dementia and that they be asked for an update on the specialist dementia nurse; and

(c)        That a written response be provided on performance indicator SCY/001a in the Social Services for Children report (the percentage change in the average number of hours of suitable education, training or employment children and young people receive while within the youth justice system by children and young people of statutory school age).

The Environment and Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator introduced a report to request that the Committee note and consider the 2012/13 Quarter 3 service performance reports, note the update on the Strategic Assessment of Risks and Challenges (SARC) contained within the performance reports, note the progress made against the Improvement Targets and note the further detail relating to Disabled Facilities Grants.   

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. 

            In response to a request from Councillor H.J. McGuill on further information on indicator SCY/001a, the Head of Social Services for Children advised that she would provide a written response.  Councillor M. Bateman felt that an explanation including the numbers of those affected should be shown alongside the percentage figures.  Councillor S. Jones asked about the average of 350 calendar days taken to deliver a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).  The Head of Social Services for Adults said that said that adaptations for children were more complex than those for adults but said that it was hoped that there would be an improvement in the figure in the future.  The Head of Social Services for Children added that the adaptations had to be sustainable. 

            Councillor McGuill sought assurance that assessments were future proof but the Senior Manager for Partnership, Development and Performance advised that it may be obvious at the time of the assessment that a child would require a wheelchair in the future, but the parents may not be ready to accept that and therefore some of the delays in DFGs occurred because of the need to identify the right solution for the longer term. 

            Development and Resources

                        The Director of Community Services gave a short presentation on the performance within Development and Resources, outlining work which had been undertaken to improve performance and areas where improvement was needed, as outlined within the report. 

                        He explained that an open day for Llys Jasmine was to be held at the Daniel Owen Cetnre on 24 April 2013.  Of the 60 units at Llys Jasmine, 15 were designed specifically for people with dementia. 

                        In response to a question from Councillor S. Jones on the relationship with the Local Health Board and the impacts on public and primary health, the Director said that there were some signs of encouragement but that further work still needed to be undertaken.  He spoke of home enhanced care provision and on the issue of dementia, he said that there was a need to ensure that there was not significant movement of patients from hospital into the community without the required funding.  He spoke of proposals around a community based service and the Head of Social Services for Adults said that enhanced care was a challenge and that the resources needed to be in place to support those who needed assistance. 

                        The Cabinet Member for Social Services advised that the Authority was working with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) about funding for the enhanced care service.  Councillors McGuill and Bateman raised concern about care for those with dementia and Councillor D.I. Mackie suggested that the issue could be included in the Forward Work Programme.  The Environment and Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator suggested that the issue could be raised when BCUHB attended the Committee meeting in June 2013.  The Head of Social Services for Adults also suggested that BCUHB provide an update on the specialist dementia nurse. 

            Social Services for Adults

            The Head of Social Services for Adults gave a short presentation on the performance within Adult Social Services, outlining work which had been undertaken to improve performance and areas where improvement was needed, as outlined within the report. 

            In response to a question from Councillor D.E. Wisinger about the impact of the ‘bedroom tax’, the Head of Social Services for Adults explained that the impacts had not fed through yet but that the situation, including the impact on mental health, would be monitored. 

            Councillor H.J. McGuill asked whether the ‘man in the van’ pilot had finished.  The Head of Social Services for Adults confirmed that the pilot scheme had ended and that an update would be provided in the quarter 4 report. 

Councillor McGuil said that she found the process map on the Disabled Facilities Grants confusing.  The Head of Social Services provided further detail and explained that the process map would not apply if it was a life threatening case.  He also provided a detailed response to a question from Councillor McGuill on the table on page 127. 

Resolved:

(a)       That the reports be received; 

(b)       That Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board be advised about the concerns of Members about care for those with dementia and that they be asked for an update on the specialist dementia nurse; and

(c)        That a written response be provided on performance indicator SCY/001a in the Social Services for Children report (the percentage change in the average number of hours of suitable education, training or employment children and young people receive while within the youth justice system by children and young people of statutory school age).