Agenda item

To consider feedback from CIW in relation to the Performance Evaluation Inspection and Improvement Conference.

Documents:

·         Performance Evaluation Inspection letter (English and Welsh)

·         Improvement Conference letter (English and Welsh)

Discussion:

·         The Corporate Director, Children and Adults, summarised the findings and was pleased to report that CIW were sufficiently assured to step down enhanced monitoring.  She paid tribute to staff and Members for the way in which they have worked together for the benefit of the service.  There has been significant amount of hard work with teams having to deal with the pandemic alongside improvement work in recent months. 

·         The Portfolio Holder echoed the sentiments and thanked the Committee as this was now more robust and was trusted to hold the service to account

·         Members welcomed the report and the improvements that had been made.  They also paid tribute to the hard work of staff and the stability of the management team.

·         Members would welcome the return of Laming visits albeit virtually, and would also like to talk to those in receipt of service.  The service was currently under severe pressure and the Corporate Director could not commit to such meetings.  However, she agreed to consider how to facilitate Members attending existing meetings.  This was unlikely before spring 2021.

·         The Lead Member of the Adult Services Working Group suggested that there were three areas for that Group to focus on:

o   Mental Capacity Assessment – ensure fit for purpose

o   Service gaps and pressures identified through the staff survey

o   Community care issues

·         Attention was also drawn to the fact that practitioners were more sceptical about the ability to meet domiciliary care needs

·         The need for greater collaboration with other agencies is recognised and this must be led by Cabinet.  This must be continually reinforced to ensure that Senior Managers have the authority to take relationships forward.

·         Whilst credit is due to all staff, the focus must remain on providing the best service for clients

·         The Leadership Team was committed to continued improvement.  They had been open and transparent with CIW regarding areas for further improvement.  Positive feedback had been received from other agencies, but it must be recognised that different partners have differing priorities.

·         The Committee recognised that the service cannot be complacent

·         Some time ago there had been meetings between councillors and staff which enabled each to understand issues from another perspective.  The Corporate Director suggested that political awareness training for officers could be considered.

·         The Committee were pleased to note that a wide spectrum of activities had been considered by the CIW

·         In response to a question regarding the next steps, the Head of Children’s Services identified a number of priorities including the right placements for children.  A new home in Ystradgynlais is opening soon.  A report regarding safe accommodation for children with complex needs was to be considered later in the meeting.  The service must continue to invest in staff – ‘grow our own’, succession planning and provide the right training and development for staff to ensure retention.

·         The Corporate Director went on to say that her aspirations for the service were greater than the requirements for CIW and that she embraced future challenges.

Outcomes:

·         The feedback letters were welcomed, and future challenges noted