To receive and consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Transformation.
Minutes:
Documents Considered:
Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Transformation.
Issues Discussed:
· The Chair noted that the items raised in the risk register have already been considered in the Children’s Services budget, the domiciliary care pressures in the workforce.
· The only other issue was the WCCIS system which was not considered to be fit for purpose.
Questions:
Question |
Response |
Could the Committee receive and update on digital transformation, how are systems working and is the risk starting to de-escalate. |
Officer Response: The Director of Social Services indicated that WCCIS is not fit for purpose which impact on the Service areas in carrying out operational duties. Following updates the current feedback from officers is there is a general improvement, with the platform being more stable.
In the summer a digital transformation of Social Services project was commenced led by ICT in collaboration with staff from across Social Care. As part of this review, early next year, will be the consideration of options for a data management system including remaining or update the current system or moving to a new platform.
The feedback from practitioners is that WCCIS remains slow with outages, and it is still not as intuitive as it could be, so there is a level of dissatisfaction amongst practitioners. Staff are very reliant on the system to make evidenced based practice decisions. In relation to the digital transformation project the group is in the process of arranging four demonstrations for alternative or updated systems to soft test the market. Then there will be a procurement exercise if that is deemed to be the next step. |
What are other Local Authorities in Wales doing in terms of their use of WCCIS. Are they looking at the same options as Powys. |
Officer Response: Other local authorities are aware of Powys’ intentions and watching what we are doing. Not all Welsh Local Authorities signed up to WCCIS initially so there is mixed provision in relation to these data management systems. Some local authorities have moved onto WCCIS and others have remained with their bespoke platforms. |
Due to the historic WCCIS issues, the Chair had asked Heads of Service whether any service users been put at risk due to the system. The previous Head of Children’s Services suggested that this may have been the case whilst it was not the case for the Head of Adult Services.
Are service users being put at risk due to the issues with the platform. |
Officer Response: In relation to Adult Services the Head of Service was not aware of any individuals placed at risk. However, when the system does not work it has a significant effect on staff morale. However, whilst no residents have been put at risk it is a serious enough problem that needs to be rectified.
In relation to Children’s Services no child has been placed at risk due to WCCIS issues. It is around staff morale and the ability to record information in a timely manner. The system does cause frustration which has a direct impact on staff.
|
Are the risks on this register only those which are Red or above. Are there other risks being managed rated as green and amber? |
Officer Response: In both Adult Services and Children’s Services there are a range of risks which have not reached the threshold in terms of probability or impact score to move them onto the strategic risk register.
The Service Risk Registers are reviewed on a quarterly basis. |
Outcomes:
· Noted.
· That a link to Service risk registers be made available to the Committee through the Teams area.
Supporting documents: