Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Nina Davies, Director of Social Services and Wellbeing and Steve Holcroft, Policy and Customer Care Manager.

To receive declarations of interest from Members.

There were no Declarations of Interest from Members relating to items to be considered on the agenda.

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.)

The Committee did not receive any disclosures of prohibited party whips which a Member had been given in relation to the meeting in accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure 2011.

To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the previous meeting held as follows as a correct record: 5^th May 2024.

The minutes from the previous meeting held on the 5^th of May 2024 were not available and would be brought to the next meeting of the committee.

To receive and consider an update presentation on the Health and Social Care Academy.

Background:

·       The Strategic Workforce Lead for Health Care and Partnership gave a presentation to update the Committee on the Health, Care and Social Care Academy (slides would be shared with the committee following the meeting).

·       The Workforce Futures Partnership was established as an enabler to the Health and Care Strategy and the Health Care and Social Care Academy wasone of the key pieces of work sitting under the Workforce Futures Partnership.

·       The leading focus identified was around how the academy worked with schools and colleges to link apprenticeships ‘grow our own future’ workforce in Powys, which stemmed from a pilot project with two secondary schools.

·       In the 2023-2024 academic year, the pilot was scaled up to become the Academy Careers Education Enterprise to gain more understanding on what a whole school approach for secondary aged learners could look like. The aim was to expand understanding with four pilot schools but actual reach was 10 secondary schools and two college campuses.

·       Over 3,800 learners engaged with the Academy in 2023-2024.

·       A further phase of learning was conducted for those pupils enrolled in health and social care courses who benefitted from an enhanced programme of work, more frequent contact with the Academy team, including scenario-based and practical learning experiences.

·       Evaluation figures for the enhanced programme of work showed that 90% of learners reaffirmed that they would be interested in learning about health and social care.

·       The evaluation had concluded for the 2023-2024 academic year. Going forward, all 13 secondary schools have engaged with the programme. Next year there would be an improved online presence with resources to supplement learning. The Academy were working with the Powys County Council Business Intelligence Team to strengthen the approach towards evaluation and monitoring learners over time for scheme impacts to be compiled.

To receive and consider the social services complaints, compliments and representations annual report 2023 - 2024.

Background:

·       The Annual Complaints and Compliments Report 2023-2024 provided information around the number, type, activity and improvements undertaken.

·       The sector continued to see a general reduction in the number of complaints received and an increase in the number being resolved informally. Believed to be due to increased learning and improvement in system usage.

·       A new customer service feedback system had been implemented and data would be provided in the next report.

·       Learning had been taken from the complaints process and a review had been undertaken to provide more understanding.

·       These examples of good practice had been being used in the induction system and a new eBook had been produced for Adult Services.

·       Communication would be a key focus for the near future to improve how Teams respond to queries.

·       There was a general increase in the number of compliments received.

The Committee were pleased that compliments were being captured and disseminated as previously recommended.

To receive and consider a presentation regarding the Respite Provision for Young People with Learning Difficulties.

Background:

• Short breaks offered a spectrum of services from universal services including theatre groups, holiday clubs, after school clubs and sports clubs, to targeted support including hospice services, Powys childcare team, Credu support and charitable support for holidays. Specialist assessed support was open to the Children Integrated Disability Service, and would be looking at direct payments, foster care, respite, care agency support, residential day support and overnight stays.
• The focus for development was to create the best outcomes for the child and family as well as offer a more cost-effective approach than overnight stays. Foster care respite was an underdeveloped aspect of the work, which was cost effective and allowed a child to stay in a family setting.
• Budget was overspent for 2023-2024, with a total spend of £1.2million. In addition to the budget there was also the commissioned PCAN (Powys Can) Project via Action for Children.
• The Short Breaks budget for the year 2024 - 2025 was just over £1million. The project was projected to be within budget, demonstrating the work that had been done to evaluate spending, setting targets and ensuring identified needs could be met.
• A fortnightly review mechanism was in place with senior management oversight, to ensure cost effectiveness.
• The Service was linked into the fostering business case. Which helped to support the fostering service to understand what was needed around short breaks and inputting into carer training.
• The Integrated Disability Service (IDS) criteria had been reviewed to make it more specific and easier to understand.

• A project would be conducted to consult with parents and stakeholders around the PCAN Project to consider the next steps.
• This consultation would finish in September 2024 and hoped to develop a new pathway forward by April 2025.
• The Service reviewed the Disability Service Triage, and a new funding panel was developed. Every child’s care package was to be assessed every six /seven months as a minimum, to ensure reviews were in line with policy and law.
• The service was continuing to project the need and best value alongside transition planning into adulthood and beginning to link up to Adult Services around mental health pathways for children.
• It was commented that there had been an increase of children moving into the area over the last 12 months, which was being monitored.

To receive and consider a presentation of the annual update on the Extra Care Strategy.

Background:

·       Presentation was provided to the Committee (slides would be shared with all councillors in the council).

·       Learning from existing Extra Care Arrangements were built into the new developments.

·       The project put Powys County Council in line with other Local Authorities.

·       This project was built upon a Market Position Statement which was undertaken in 2018.

·       Work had been conducted to refresh the statement to ensure that the data and trajectory for the demand for extra care was in place with a strong evidence base.

·       It was noted that Extra Care demands were high around Brecon and Welshpool, which was where it was planned that future developments would be focussed.

·       The Cabinet Report in May 2019 allowed mandate authorisation to develop five new Extra Care Housing Schemes in Powys.

·       It was an integral part of the Health and Care Strategy, the Regional Partnership Board and the Corporate Improvement Plan.

Neuadd Maldwyn, Welshpool

·       Building work had progressed but was slightly delayed due to the finalisation of the fire strategy, which was awaiting final sign off.

·       The care provider had been commissioned and appointed in February 2024 and beginning to recruit.

·       Due to openin late autumn 2024, the Senior Strategic Commissioning Manager was confident this date could be met.

Pont Aur, Ystradgynlais

·       Pobl owned existing sheltered housing provision.

·       Significant delays were experienced due to the liquidation of the original contractor.

·       Phase one was nearing completion and the full care scheme was expected to be opened in November 2025.

Brecon

·       Planning approved by Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (BBNPA). However, the conservation planning application was under consideration and a further meeting would be held in August 2024.

·       If everything remained on track and was approved, it would be expected to open in early 2027.

Machynlleth

·       Not yet in the formal development stage.

Extra Care Potential

·       Potential options in Builth Wells, Llanfyllin and Presteigne.

·       Options were being explored, these were in the very early stages and formed part of the options appraisal around the Powys own Care Homes; all of which would be coming to scrutiny.

Resolved: The Committee noted the presentation and welcomed the update on the various schemes.

To receive and consider the Out-turn Report in respect of Adult Social Care and Children’s Services.

Background:

·       Children’s Services were utilising grant funding to support the budget.

·       Head of Adult Services commented on the income that came in at the end of the quarter.

Resolved: The Committee noted the report.

To note the scrutiny forward work programme.

Resolved: The dates of upcoming meetings were noted and the Chair and Vice Chair would meet with officers to determine the ongoing forward work programme - items subject to change.

The Monitoring Officer has determined that category 3 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules applies to the following items. His view on the public interest test (having taken account of the provisions of Rule 14.8 of the Council's Access to Information Rules) was that to make this information public would disclose information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).  

These factors in his view outweigh the public interest in disclosing this information. Members are asked to consider these factors when determining the public interest test, which they must decide when considering excluding the public from this part of the meeting.

The Monitoring Officer has determined that category 3 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules applies to the following items. His view on the public interest test (having taken account of the provisions of Rule 14.8 of the Council's Access to Information Rules) was that to make this information public would disclose information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). 

These factors in his view outweigh the public interest in disclosing this information. Members are asked to consider these factors when determining the public interest test, which they must decide when considering excluding the public from this part of the meeting.

To receive and consider the Children’s Services Residential Care Report.

Resolved: The Committee noted the presentation