Agenda and minutes

Contact: Lisa Richards 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

There  were no apologies for absence.  However, it was noted that due to an administrative oversight, the Portfolio Holders for both Childrens and Adults Services had been omitted from the invitation to the meeting.

2.

Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of interest from Members.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

3.

Disclosure of Party Whips

To receive disclosures of prohibited party whips which a Member has been given in relation to the meeting in accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure 2011.

 

(NB:  Members are reminded that, under Section 78, Members having been given a prohibited party whip cannot vote on a matter before the Committee.)

Minutes:

Ther were no disclosures of party whips.

4.

PtHB/PCC integrated Care Home Policy pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To consider the PtHB/PCC Integrated Care Home Policy.

Minutes:

Documents:

·         PtHB/PCC Integrated Care Home Policy

·         Care Homes MDT Briefing

(Agenda Items 4 and 5 were taken together)

 

Discussion:

·         The Policy is a joint one between the Authority and the Health Board supporting integrated working

·         The focus is on adult settings

·         The Policy represents a co-ordinated response to supporting the market by supporting staff and block booking beds

·         The Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) meets daily

·         An escalation framework is in place

·         The right support and advice is provided to homes to provide for an individual’s clinical needs

·         Currently five care homes have Covid infections

·         The service is working with both private and in-house care homes

·         If any infection is present, Covid or otherwise, Environmental Health Officers work closely with providers to assess processes and procedures

·         A weekly Provider Forum meets – over 70 providers attend virtually

·         The Policy has not yet been considered by Cabinet

·         After the current crisis is over, a full review will take place and the work will be embedded in S33 agreements.  Meetings will resume on 3 July and any opportunities to improve will be considered.

·         The Corporate Director was asked for the total number of Covid related deaths in care homes.  There had been three deaths the previous week.  In total, there had been 75 deaths in Powys and this figure could be broken down to residences.  There had been many Covid cases but not all had been hospitalized.  Any client being admitted to hospital, for whatever reason, is now tested for Covid prior to discharge.

·         Powys remains in an average position for deaths in care homes over a three-year period

·         Members asked for clarity regarding residential/nursing homes and whether sufficient skills were in place to support the different challenges for palliative care for those with Covid.  The Corporate Director informed the Committee that nursing staff were responsible for care in dual registered homes.  In a residential setting, a District Nurse or community provision provides the health element.  A clinical plan will be in place for any individual with Covid.  There is an executive oversight group which is jointly chaired by the Corporate Director and the Director of Nursing.

·         The Government has announced an extra payment for care staff and Members asked if systems were in place to ensure the payments could be made.  All front-line care staff were eligible for the payment.  The Authority will also take the lead for payments to provider staff and those in receipt of Direct Payments.  Final guidance was awaited but payment was likely in June or July.  £32M across Wales would be paid out.

·         Oxygen could not be provided without appropriate authorisation for clinical need

·         Dental services were severely restricted due to Covid with only emergency services being provided.

 

Outcomes:

·         If any Member had further questions these could be emailed to the Corporate Director or Scrutiny Officer

5.

Care Homes MDT Briefing pdf icon PDF 222 KB

To note the Care Homes MDT Briefing.

Minutes:

Considered above.

6.

Children's Services pdf icon PDF 363 KB

To consider the Chilren’s Services update as at 14 May 2020.

Minutes:

Documents:

·         Head of Service report

·         Performance – April 2020

(Items 6 and 7 were considered together)

 

Discussion:

·         Members were pleased that visits were being maintained and thanked officers for their good work.  Were there any particular concerns or problems that needed to be brought to Members’ attention?  Children’s Services were maintaining service and were bridging the gap left by school closures.  As other agencies return to business as usual, there is likely to be an increase in referrals.

·         Early Help Service to prevent the escalation of need is working well.  Only 64 cases have been referred for statutory assessment – of these, 59 had not engaged with Early Help Service

·         There were concerns that parents were unable to register births and therefore could not claim benefit.  The Corporate Director indicated that this was not a Social Care responsibility, but she would speak to the Head of the Registration Service for a response.

·         A Select Committee had heard that there had been an increase in the complexity of cases across Wales and the Corporate Director was asked if the Authority was equipped and had sufficient resource to deal with this?  The Corporate Director was not aware of a huge increase in complexities.  Challenges have arisen where other agencies have changed their service.  An open dialogue is being encouraged to ensure a joint approach.  204 staff have been redeployed within the service to respond to increased demand across adults and children’s services.

·         Members asked if there had been an increase in domestic abuse? The Service had been concerned at the drop in enquiries in domestic abuse and safeguarding, but this was returning to normal after promoting awareness and how to contact appropriate agencies.  A broader briefing on domestic abuse would be provided to a future meeting.

·         There had been an increase in Children Looked After.  Members were concerned that children were suffering through not being in school.  All schools have now been provided with a document on mental health.  The Service is working closely with Education to alleviate these issues.  The priority before Covid had been wellbeing including mental health.  There has never been more collaborative working.

·         A question was raised regarding the efforts being made to ensure priority children were using the hubs – how many were using the hubs, and how many should be?  The Corporate Director agreed to find out and report back.  A risk assessment has been carried out for every child.

·         Complaints had fallen, but were there trends?  There were likely to be themes, particularly access to provision.

·         Agency staff had reduced from 45 to 29

·         It had been noted from a newspaper report that children who had been in care were twice as likely to die early.  The Corporate Director offered to refer this to the Director of Public Health and suggested that this issue could be reconsidered after Covid.

 

7.

Children's Services - Performance April 2020 pdf icon PDF 235 KB

To consider the Head of Service’s report and Performance Report for April 2020.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Considered above.

8.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on 10 June 2020 between 2pm and 3pm.

Minutes:

·         The next meeting would be on 10 June 2020 between 2pm and 3pm

·         A pre meeting for Members would commence at 1.30pm

·         Written questions to be submitted prior to the meeting