Agenda item

Short Term Recovery Plan

To consider the short term Recovery Plan.

Minutes:

Documents:

·         Short Term Recovery Plan – June 2020

 

Discussion:

·         All services of the Authority have been required to complete a short term recovery plan which will be reviewed regularly

·         Not all sections are able to implement recovery plans – for example, within Adult Services many staff are still redeployed to business-critical roles

·         Within day care it is not possible to manage social distancing and a lot of clients are shielding or vulnerable.  Discussions are ongoing with clients to assess how they can be supported in a different way.

·         Support to the market has been intensified to aid sustainability

·         Section 33 meetings will be reconvened from 3 July 2020.  Lessons learned throughout the period will be taken on board to improve future responses to a further outbreak of Covid 19 or winter pressures.  The Corporate Director chairs a formal Board and a Section 33 Operations Group has been set up to consider how demand might change in the future and what future services may look like.  There is an input from GPs on the Operations Group.  A joint appointment has been made for a Section 33 Pooled Funds Manager to oversee all projects.

·         The Corporate Director and Head of Commissioning have met Care Forum Wales to discuss the practicalities and trialling of innovative practices

·         Lessons learned across all authorities will be brought together to move delivery of service forward to ensure better outcomes, best use of resources and how to be best prepared for any future spike in the pandemic

·         There is likely to be an increase in referrals as other agencies return to business as usual. 

·         Winter pressures will also lead to an increase in referrals

·         Staff wellbeing has been paramount throughout the pandemic.  A Wellbeing Protocol is in draft.  It is recognised that agile working does not suit everyone, but many have welcomed the new working arrangements.

·         Business continuity activities continue alongside the recovery process.  The service is also mindful of the need to be Inspection ready

·         Priority 2 visits will not restart in the current period.  Before any visits are reinstated, a review will take place of an individual’s needs.

·         There has been significant support for providers during the period.  Weekly meetings have been held, fact sheets sent out and questions answered.  A survey has been sent out to the market.  Generally, providers have welcomed the support that has been in place.

·         The service will work with the market to shape future delivery

·         The Start Well, Live Well, Age Well partnership boards will continue

·         Other issues, such as people delaying access to health services, will also be considered

·         The Portfolio Holder for Young People was asked if there were any particular issues that were causing concern in Children’s Services?  She responded that one area of concern had been the lack of reporting of domestic abuse.  Following a campaign which engaged with local communities, an increase in contact with the front door had been reported during May.

·         Children’s Services and Education have worked closely together

·         The emphasis must remain on prevention

·         Placement stability is good – the KPI is based on the number of Children Looked After with three or more moves.  The average for Wales is 10% but within Powys it is 3%. 

·         Assessments through March and April were 336 but increased to 478 in May

·         The proposed children’s home in Ystragynlais was in the process of being registered.  Bids for other homes had been submitted and conversations have recently recommenced.

·         There were no KPIs for respite care and Members expressed some concern that this was no longer available.  The Portfolio Holder indicated that this was now referred to as short breaks.  Bannau Camlais has not been closed but is delivering support in a different way.  Families have not been left unsupported.  Good feedback has been received regarding creative interventions.

·         Members asked that a report on Finance be brought to the next meeting – the Corporate Director agreed that Period 3 reporting could be considered if the information was readily available

·         Members were also concerned about the length of time taken for test results to be available – this was a matter for the Health Authority but the Corporate Director would endeavour to access some performance data in this regard

·         Were childminders and nurseries given advice regarding the disposal of waste?  The Portfolio Holder indicated that the Strategic Programme Manager was working closely with child-care settings.  Such settings were also regulated by CIW.

 

Outcomes:

·         A Finance report would be considered at the next meeting

Supporting documents: