Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Menna Baines, Beca Brown, Annwen Daniels, Anwen J Davies, Gareth Tudor Morris Jones, Olaf Cai Larsen, Linda Morgan, Peter Read and Elwyn Jones (ex-officio member). Also, apologies were received from Marian Parry Hughes (Head of Children and Supporting Families Department) and Councillor Dafydd Meurig (Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being).

To receive any declarations of personal interest.

Councillor Dewi Wyn Roberts noted that his relative was currently receiving an autism assessment.

Councillor Linda Ann Jones noted that she used to be the director of Seren but she had now resigned.

The members were not of the opinion that they were prejudicial interests, and did not withdraw from the meeting during the discussion on the items.

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chair wished to extend condolences to Marian Parry Hughes and her family for their recent sudden bereavement.

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on the 30^th September, 2021 be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this Committee held on 30 September 2021 as a true record.

To provide an overview of the Autism Plan 2021-23 within the Children and Supporting Families Department.

a)    To receive/accept the report which provided an overview of the Autism Plan 2021-23.

b)    To send correspondence to Cabinet members recommending that they support and approve the Plan and the bid for permanent funding at its meeting on November 30, 2021, setting out the main observations of the Care Scrutiny Committee.

The report on the Autism Plan 2021-23 was submitted by the Cabinet Member for Children and Supporting Families. The Cabinet Member elaborated on the content of the report noting that this Plan was one of the Council's improvement priority projects, namely to ensure that Families and Children with autism had access to the support they needed to thrive.

It was added that work on the Plan had continued during the recent difficult period and the opportunity was taken to thank Council Officers for their work along with other partners including the Health Board. It was noted that the Health Board had recognised the importance of this Plan in the midst of recent busyness and had played a key role to bring the Plan together.

It was reported that the Strategy was innovative, this was confirmed by the specialist Advisor who had noted that what Gwynedd and partners were doing was progressive and leading the way for others. It was recognised by the Senior Operational Manager that the work of the Learning Disabilities Senior Managers within the Adults Department was essential as autism transitioned to this Department as well as the Children's Department.

It was summarised by noting that there was a desire for this Strategy to be a live Strategy that could evolve in accordance with any legislation and the strategy would be reviewed regularly. Members were invited to ask questions and offer observations.

During the discussion, the following observations were submitted by members:

·         The Autism Plan 2021-23 was welcomed by Members. It was noted that it was now important to look ahead towards the Plan's future.

·         It was suggested that autism service users and their families should be consulted on the Plan and that regular feedback should be received from them about the service.

·         It was questioned what role would the Education Department have in the Strategy as this had not been highlighted in the Plan and it was enquired what would be the intervention level of the Education Department. It was believed that it should be ensured that collaboration with the Education Department was highlighted in the Plan.

·         It was expressed that many parents were concerned about the time it took for children to be diagnosed with the condition and about the time to wait for an assessment. It was asked whether it would be possible to do something to improve this.

·         There was a desire to receive an information session for Councillors in order to improve understanding of the field. It was reiterated that this training should be held before April 2022.

·         It was added that it should be ensured that suitable training was available for all, including Council staff, in order for them to be aware of trends e.g. that women could hide the condition better than men.

·         The importance of all School staff members receiving training so that they could identify the condition early, was reiterated. The Senior Operational Manager acknowledged that this was an important point that would receive appropriate attention.

·         It was enquired  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.