Agenda item

To consider a report by the Corporate Director of Social Services (copy enclosed) which sets out the key issues arising from the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) evaluation of Denbighshire Social Services performance for 2013-14.

 

A copy of a report by the Director Social Services (DSS), which set out the key issues arising from the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) valuation of Denbighshire Social Services performance for 2013-14, had been circulated previously.  A copy of the full evaluation had been included as Appendix I.

 

The Chair welcomed Mr Hugh Morgan, Area Manager for CSSIW (AMCSSIW), and the Principal Manager – Business Support to the meeting.

 

The report detailed the performance evaluation for Social Services including areas of progress, areas for improvement and risk.  Every year CSSIW undertake a comprehensive evaluation of each Local Authority’s Social Services performance.  The evaluation draws on a wide range of evidence, including: the Director of Social Services annual report on performance and plans for improvement in their local authority area; CSSIW’s regulatory work; and the views of other auditors and inspectors.   The evaluation had been moderated to ensure a consistent, transparent and proportionate approach.

The evaluation of Denbighshire Social Services had highlighted that there was clarity and focus in the report which outlined the direction of travel for social care in Denbighshire and in particular:-

 

·                 There is powerful evidence of a strategic approach taken to meeting demographic challenges.

·                 The Council has implemented innovative models of practice and integrated partnership development.

·                 There is robust scrutiny particularly through service challenges and listening to views of people underpinning the modernisation agenda.

·                 A strong commitment and forward planning in relation to Welsh language

·                 Performance of the service is strong.

 

A number of specific areas for improvement had been identified in the report.  The Council’s progress in relation to these would be discussed during regular meetings between the Senior Management Team and the CSSIW.  The areas for follow-up by the CSSIW next year included:-

·                     The impact of changes to the POVA (Protection of Vulnerable Adults) infrastructure.

·                     The establishment of a rigorous research approach to capturing and responding to the views of children, young people and their families.

·                     Improving the quality of provision and outcomes for looked after children.

 

Appendix II provided an overview of the areas which were identified for improvement in the performance evaluation, and information about how the Council was responding to the areas identified for improvement.

Areas identified as requiring improvement were in line with the Director’s self-assessment and had been embedded within Service Business Plans for 2014-15.  The plans were formally monitored each quarter by the services, and many elements were reported bi-annually to Performance Scrutiny and Cabinet as they formed part of the Corporate Plan.  Each service also had an annual Service Performance Challenge which examined progress against Service Business Plans.

Significant progress had been made against the areas of improvement highlighted within the 2011-12 performance evaluation report.  It had been recognised that progress had not been as significant as anticipated in respect of performance relating to looked after children.  However, significant improvements had been made since the inspection with 100% success in key areas.

 

The AMCSSIW introduced and summarised the CSSIW Performance Evaluation Report and the following salient points were highlighted:-

 

-                  It had been recognised that the Council had engaged in a strategic five year modernisation plan, and the resulting considerable changes had been noted with a reshaping of service provision.

-                  There was a good level of scrutiny through the Service Challenge process.

-                  Areas of strength were noted and three key areas requiring improvement had been identified:-

(i)              How the service listened and responded, reference to the collection of data.

(ii)             Concerns pertaining to looked after children, particular reference to areas of health and education.

(iii)            The safeguarding of children and adults in particular.  Reference made to the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA).

-                  The remit of the work of CSSIW with regard to POVA, and the respective policy developments.

 

In response to questions from the Chair, the DSS outlined developments and explained that the Social Services and Well-being Wales Act had required a fundamental review of the adult safeguarding processes in Wales, and the group charged with examining the process would be reporting in the near future.  Reference was made to case law which had widened the scope of legislation and increased the volume of work for Councils with a significant influx of cases.  She stressed that it was a fundamental aspect of social care to protect those who were most vulnerable and to ensure that there was no deprivation of liberty unless in their best interest.  All homes in Denbighshire had been made aware of the judgement    and additional training had been provided for staff as best interest assessors. 

 

The Committee were informed that the Adult Safeguarding Board would present an annual report to Scrutiny, and monthly meetings held to discuss level 6 training.  The HIA confirmed that Internal Audit would be undertaking work on a wide ranging report on Corporate Safeguarding procedure to be presented to the Committee. 

 

The DSS responded to a question from Councillor S.A. Davies and explained that WG funding had been received, through the intermediate care fund grant, to assist with addressing issues relating to delayed transfers of care for social care reasons.

 

The Chair highlighted the areas identified within the report as requiring improvement, the need for progress and the importance of monitoring the work undertaken.  He made reference to the significant decrease in the number of qualifications obtained by looked after children, and to the importance of ensuring that research undertaken was utilised to improve outcomes.

 

Difficulties in attaining the views of young people were outlined by the DSS.  She emphasised the importance of engaging with them in a receptive manner and explained that a mechanisms had been introduced to meet these requirements.  The DSS explained that performance was important but this would be exceeded by the requirements of individual children and their respective circumstances. 

 

In response to a question from the Chair seeking clarification of the statement that “the pathway and outcomes for people who do not meet the threshold for care and support from social services was unclear”, Mr Morgan (CSSIW) explained that there had been an attempt to ascertain or capture evidence of how the specific needs of the individuals were being addressed, and observe if adequate research had been undertaken to address these issues and if the individuals had been directed to other service providers for support and assistance.  The DSS explained that there had been a new configuration of service and outlined the monitoring procedures introduced.

 

The HLHRDS responded to questions from the Chair on the level of work by Legal Services, in respect of Care Orders, reflecting the implications of the work undertaken by the Family Support Team.  The DSS explained that the process of taking a child into care could be perceived as a failure of society and it would be important to assist in preventing such action.  Mr P. Whitham highlighted the reference made to the fluidity of looked after children but expressed concern regarding the lack of the provision of numbers involved, the Principal Manager, Business Support confirmed that the figures were available. 

 

The Chair confirmed that it would be important to monitor the work identified in Appendix 1, which related to Children and Family Services, particularly areas of performance around health and education of looked after children.  The DSS explained that the actions identified would be monitored within the Business Plan, the Service Challenge process and in addition would also feature in the DSS Annual Report which would be presented to the relevant Scrutiny Committee and Council.

 

At the request of the Chair, the DSS agreed to circulate an e-mail to all Members detailing the discussion at the meeting, and informing them that the Corporate Parenting Panel were seeking nominations for additional Members.

 

Following further discussion, it was:-

 

RESOLVED – that:-

 

(a)            that the CSSIW evaluation and the associated progress report from Social Services be received and its contents noted.

(b)            the issues and concerns highlighted by Members be noted, and

(c)            an e-mail be sent by the DSS to all Members informing them that the Corporate Parenting Panel were seeking nominations for additional Members.

    (NS to Action)