Issue - meetings

The current provision and available resources need to be scrutinised in order to deliver the strategy.  

1.    To accept the report.

2.    To note appreciation of the work being done by the officers of the Children and Families department.

3.    To express concern about the way the service is being funded in the short term and the impact of that on the service and the workforce.

4.    To request a report on the Derwen Service review when appropriate.

5.    To request further details of the collaboration between teams implementing the Keeping Families Together Strategy and Education Department officers. 

6.    To ask the Council to ensure that all services remain available despite maternity leave periods and ask for an update on how this is being achieved.

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for Children and Supporting Families. It was explained that this work focused on providing timely and specific support to assist families and keep them together and safe. It was noted that the Department's strategy was based on a clear principle, to keep families together before they reach a crisis and to prevent children and young people from entering care. It was noted that the main aim of the Department was to keep children and young people with their families if it was safe to do so and to reduce the need for statutory intervention. It was noted that the strategy brought together a range of preventive services within the Children and Supporting Families Department, including: 

·               Families first 

·               Team Around the Family 

·               Family Support Team  

·               Trobwynt  

·               Derwen  

·               Hafan y Sêr  

It was emphasised that multi-agency collaboration was at the heart of this approach with partners such as health, education, housing and the third sector contributing to supporting families. The report highlighted the increasing demand for these services, the increasing complexity of family needs and the pressure on resources, including reliance on grant funding. Attention was drawn to the content which demonstrated that this preventative work was making a positive difference, in helping to establish families and reduce the need for children to enter care. It was noted that the community hubs also help promote information for the families. 

The members gave thanks for the report and praised the work that was proceeding in the Department by protecting Gwynedd's most vulnerable families. It was recognised that the service was complex and multi-layered and the dedication of staff to supporting and safeguarding the county's children and young people was praised. 

During the discussion, the following comments and questions arose; 

In reference to section 4.16 of the report, it was asked whether the numbers of children and young people awaiting an ASD/ADHD assessment also included autism assessments. In response, it was confirmed that the number of children and young people referred to in the report included a wide range of children and young people who are neurodivergent, including those with autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia, etc. 

Reference was made to a recent meeting of the Corporate Parenting Panel attended by a representative of the Health Board, noting that waiting lists for these conditions were increasing. Disappointment was expressed about this, and it was noted that diagnosis for these conditions by a psychologist was of paramount importance for the health and well-being of individuals. It was trusted that the Health Board was now investing in this work to ensure that waiting lists come down and meet the increased demand and ensure that no child waits more than 3 years for an assessment. It was hoped that 2 years will be more common soon regarding waiting time. It was reinforced that the work of the Autism Team in Gwynedd supports this work and strategy while offering vital and comprehensive expertise. It was noted that they worked very closely  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5