Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were shared by Committee Member County Councillor Alwyn Evans and Officer Nina Davies (Director of Social Services & Wellbeing).

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 receive an update on Joint Inspectorate Review of Child Protection Arrangements (JICPA).

Background:

• The Cabinet Member for Future Generations presented an introduction to the item from point 2.1 – 2.3 of the JICPA Report.
• The Senior Manager for Safeguarding and Quality Assurance presented the background of the report from point 2.4 – 2.21 of the report.
• The Head of Children’s Services added that JICPA was a welcomed opportunity to check service practice, standards, processes and procedures through a multiagency lens.
• The inspection helped to inform the action plan and how to work more effectively, which fed into the Powys Local Operational Group, a local group which connected to the Regional Safeguarding Board.

To receive an update on the Integrated Disability Service Development Plan.

Background:

• The Cabinet Member for Future Generations introduced the topic, reading point 1.1 of the report.
• The Senior Manager for Care & Support in Children’s Services presented the background of the report.
• There had been lots of development in the Integrated Disability Service (IDS) over the past year alongside a development plan.
• The early help process for the IDS had been reviewed, amended, and aligned with the Children’s Services generic early help team. This had improved paperwork and closure procedures. Additionally, extensive resource sharing had been integrated across early help cases, both within the generic early help framework and the specific disability aspect.
• A key development had been the implementation of a more robust closure process, significantly enhancing communication and ensuring a clear rationale for closing a child’s case file.
• A swap audit and the implementation of an IDS funding panel had taken place. Crucial in ensuring that the needs of young people across Powys were identified and met, while also providing the best value for these young people and their families.
• The IDS funding panel was overseen by the Senior Manager for Care & Support in Children’s Services and team managers and met fortnightly. Practitioners who had conducted assessments presented information on the identified needs of each child. Discussions focused on the most robust and cost-effective ways to meet needs, ensuring the child remained at the centre of the decision-making process.
• Previously, a presentation on the transition between children’s and adult services for disabilities had been jointly presented, establishing a well-recognised process. However, it was noted that the transition process needed improvement for those who did not fall within the disability service.
• A process had been established within children’s services for transitioning to adult services and was used as a temporary measure while a review was undertaken to determine future needs.
• The service reviewed the disability register to allow online access for families across Powys, aiming to gather comprehensive information for future service planning.
• The website for IDS had been updated.
• Strong relationships had been established between the IDS team and specialist schools, fostering support for children requiring transition assistance.
• The Incredible Years Autism programme had been developed, with the IDS team working closely with health colleagues, particularly learning disability nurses, to train practitioners. This programme provided early intervention and group settings for families, offering both peer and professional support.
• The IDS service had undertaken and run independence workshops for young people with complex profound disabilities, which was a positive initiative.
• Future steps included:
  • Reviews of in-house residential options to address gaps in childcare services for children over 12.
  • Collaboration with the Family Information Service and commissioning colleagues to develop and enhance services across Powys.
  • Budget considerations included the impact of wage changes related to the real living wage and how these changes would affect the short breaks budget for the following year.
  • One area potentially lacking within Powys was short breaks foster care, which enables a child to remain within a family. This need was being incorporated into the business  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To receive updates as necessary regarding the Monthly Performance Reports for Adults and Children’s Services.

Background:

Item was introduced by the Chair.

To note the scrutiny forward work programme and open actions.

The Chair moved that this item would be picked up at the end of the meeting.

To receive a report on the Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children looked after by Powys County Council. 

Background:

• It was agreed that the introduction and background of this item would be held in public session and the discussion would be held in confidential session.
• The Portfolio Holder for a Caring Powys introduced the purpose of the report, from points 1.1-1.2.
• The Senior Strategic Commissioning Manager introduced the background of the report:
  • The report aimed to update Health and Care Scrutiny Committee on the numbers of UASChildren in Powys and how children's services were enabled to meet their needs and the associated costs.
  • The handling of UASChildren in Powys was governed by a robust policy framework that complied with national and international laws.
  • The National Transfer scheme (NTS) was a mandatory scheme which supported Local Authorities across the UK by providing specific payment arrangements. Over the last 18 months Powys had received 33 UASChildren referrals.
  • 17 UASChildren had been placed within 5 days and earned the Local Authority additional one-off funding, which had reached £15,000 per child but had now reverted to the original £5k per child.
  • As of the 31^st of October 2024, Powys was responsible for 17 under 18-year-olds and 13 over 18-year-olds.
  • Individuals were placed both within and outside Wales. The strategy shifted from urban placements to in-county placements in Powys.
  • Placing within Powys reduced travel time for social workers and aligned with the Welsh Government’s agenda to eliminate profit from care.
  • Powys Children’s Services developed properties for looked-after children and care leavers, aiding their transition to independent living.
  • External providers were engaged to develop placements within the county.
  • The regional group across mid and West Wales coordinated responses to referrals for UASChildren.
  • Training opportunities from the Home Office were shared to upskill the workforce.
  • Collaboration with education colleagues ensured comprehensive education and integration programs, including language support.
  • Challenges included resource constraints, legal complexities, and cultural barriers.

RESOLVE to exclude the public for the following items of business on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information under categories 1, 2 & 3 of The Local Authorities (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007).    

The Monitoring Officer has determined that categories 1, 2 & 3 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules apply 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 committee agreed to move into confidential session.

RESOLVED to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information under category 3 of The Local Authorities (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007).

The Monitoring Officer has determined that category 3 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules applies to the following item. 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.  Proposed by Cllr G E Jones and seconded by Cllr L Brighouse with all Committee Members in agreement.

The Committee discussed further details on this item.