Issue - meetings

To consider the report.

To accept the report, noting the observations received during the meeting.

The report was presented by the Senior Executive Officer, Children and Supporting Families Department, Interim Head of Resources - Children Department, Workforce Support Team Leader, Corporate Leadership Team and the Assistant Head of Adult Services, Adults, Health and Well-being Department. She referred briefly to the following main points:

It was reported that the Children and Supporting Families Department and the Adults, Health and Well-being Department promoted the Welsh language in all aspects of their work.

Attention was drawn to the 'More than Just Words' scheme, a Strategic Framework published in 2016 for Welsh Language Services in the areas of Health, Social Services and Social Care. It was emphasised that this framework was central to the work of the Departments to ensure that an active offer of Welsh language care was implemented in practice within the services.

Pride was expressed in the development of the 'Niwro' app, an innovative resource for supporting neuro-diverse individuals through the medium of Welsh. It was noted that the use of this app raised the status of the Welsh language in an area where it had not been properly considered in the past.

Reference was made to the development of the Small Group Homes scheme for looked after children, a scheme that allowed looked after children to remain within their Welsh speaking communities and continue to feel a sense of belonging to the local language and culture.

It was noted that schemes within the Early Years service to extend play opportunities and offer activities through the medium of Welsh contributed to creating a natural environment where children could use the language effortlessly. It was further noted that plans to develop the workforce's language skills was also essential to ensure accessible and bilingual services.

An example of the cross-departmental collaborative ‘Croesi’r Bont’ project was shared. This project confirmed that there was seamless communication in Welsh between services. This allowed the user to be at the centre of the processes.

Members were reminded that the Adults, Health and Well-being Department had a strong focus on projects linked to the 'A Caring Gwynedd' project within the Cyngor Gwynedd Plan. These included the modernisation of care homes, community resources and accommodation for the residents of Gwynedd. It was emphasised that the use of technology for identifying local needs was essential to the work, confirming that there was close collaboration with the Health Service to promote adult health.

It was noted that the Adults, Health and Well-being Department was continually striving to change the culture in order to secure services for the future. It was also noted that training schemes were being held to ensure that the workforce was qualified to address the future needs of Gwynedd's residents. It was also explained that a sustainable care system was in place to promote the well-being of adults, and it was confirmed that maintaining this system was a priority for the department.

It was reported that there was ongoing work to ensure that fit-for-purpose technology was operational within the field of care, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7