10 PERFORMANCE REPORT OF THE CABINET MEMBER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILY SUPPORT PDF 409 KB
Cyflwynwyd gan: Cllr. Dilwyn Morgan
Additional documents:
Decision:
To accept and note the information
in the report.
Minutes:
The report was submitted by Cllr Dilwyn Morgan
DECISION
To accept and note the information
in the report.
DISCUSSION
The report was submitted noting that the department was holding positive monthly performance challenge meetings that were
constantly evolving. Concerns were highlighted
about the department's capacity to be able to input information on a monthly basis
but it was explained that the next step would be for managers
to take ownership of the monthly reports. Members of the Care Scrutiny Committee who attended
the performance challenge meetings were also
thanked.
It was noted that the department's priority plans that were
seen in the Council Plan continued to progress, and the Strategy for Keeping
Families Together was highlighted. However, it was stressed that staffing
challenges were seen across the department and had been highlighted in the risk register.
In order to address the challenge, it was noted that work
was ongoing in collaboration with the Corporate Support department.
It was explained that the element regarding the Autism Strategy was not easy reading but
the plan had progressed after
writing the report and it had now been discussed at this meeting. Although
the workforce capacity was one of the main concerns of the department, it was stated, on the whole, that
the department was performing
very well.
Despite the staffing challenges, the Assistant Head added that
the department had still managed to support and safeguard children
ensuring that they could stay
at home with their families when possible.
The Corporate Director noted that there
was concern about the field particularly in terms of pressures
on staff. The staff were thanked for their
hard work and for their
ability to continue to operate during this difficult period. It was highlighted that staff were performing well despite being under constant
pressure. The good relationship between the department and Bangor University and the MA Course in Social
Services was highlighted, explaining
that this collaboration would continue to ensure that the Council attracted a good number of social workers.
Observations arising from the discussion:
¾
The department was congratulated for its work
to ensure service level but it was enquired how long it would be possible for the department to continue with a shortage of staff. It was noted that there was no easy answer
but over the years the Council had done very well in recruiting into
the field. Nevertheless, it
was stated that many staff members felt that the post was increasingly challenging and there was a need to ensure that staff were not placed under too much pressure.
It was explained that there was a national need for the sector to have better profile
and recognition for the work they
undertake.
¾
The
staff were thanked for their work,
not only for the work delivered but also for
a legible and coherent performance report.
Awdur: Marian Parry Hughes