Agenda, decisions and minutes

 To Elect a Chairman for this Committee for 2020-21

Councillor Dewi Wyn Roberts was re-elected as Chair of this committee for 2020/21.

RESOLVED to re-elect Councillor Dewi W Roberts as Chair of this Committee for 2020/21.

To Elect a Vice-Chairman for this Committee for 2020-21

Councillor Beth Lawton was elected as Vice-chair of this Committee for 2020/21.

RESOLVED to re-elect Councillor Beth Lawton as Vice-chair of this Committee for 2020/21.

To receive any apologies for absence

Councillors Menna Baines, Linda A Jones and Linda Morgan

To receive any declarations of personal interest

Declarations of personal interest were received as follows in relation to item 7 on the agenda:

·       Cllr R Medwyn Hughes – Member of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

          The member was of the opinion that it was a prejudicial interest, and he did not participate in the discussion on the item.

·       Cllr Eryl Jones-Williams - Has a relative who is a wheelchair user

·       Cllr Rheinallt Puw - Employed by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

·       Cllr Dewi W Roberts - Member of the Working Group

·       Cllr Angela Russell - Member of the Working Group

          The members were of the opinion that these were not prejudicial interests and they participated fully in the discussion on the item.

None to note

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on the 30th January 2020, be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this Committee held on 30

January, 2020 as a true record.

To Receive a Progress Report on the on the Recommendations of the Scrutiny Investigation on Supporting the Disabled People of Gwynedd (Wheelchair Service)

The contents of the report and the appended documents were accepted, noting the observations.

Assurance was sought that the Service was keeping an eye on what was happening.

Gratitude was expressed for the progress report, following the submission of the matter to the Scrutiny Committee in September 2019. A request was made for comments on the actions as a result of the recommendations, and it was noted as follows:

It was confirmed that the Cabinet Member had written to Vaughan Gething in 2019, drawing attention to the report, but he noted that no response had been received, however it was felt that the matters arising from the recommendations were for  local action.  He noted that the work had highlighted the collaboration between the Council and the Health Service and it was felt that a number of the recommendations in the Report were directed to the Health Service.  Consequently, the importance of keeping communication live with the Health Board was expressed.  The Senior Adults, Health and Well-being Manager confirmed that the response of the Health Service to the recommendation was in the report.

A report on matters specific to the Health Service was given (see below), which showed a shift in the matters; however, progress had slowed down due to COVID.

It was confirmed that the Regional Partnership Working Group was yet to be established but that local arrangements had been established between the Posture and Mobility Service and Gwynedd Council to improve collaboration.

The appointment of an Occupational Therapy Leader for Gwynedd Council has facilitated communication and collaboration with the Health Service.

Electronic referral documents were currently being trialled by Health Service and it is intended to introduce an electronic referral procedure soon.

Joint training is taking place between the Posture and Mobility Service and the Gwynedd Community Resources Team.

Concern was expressed regarding the delay in terms of home environment assessments, along with a concern that occupational therapists were not receiving training, and it was questioned whether this had been resolved?  It was confirmed that it is the responsibility of the Council’s Occupational Therapists to carry out a home environment assessment and that it is the responsibility of the Posture and Mobility Services’ occupational therapist’s to complete assessments for specialised equipment.  There is no further developments regarding an agreement by the Health Service for Occupational Therapists from Local Authorities to receive specialised training.  Nevertheless, there has been an increase in the joint visits between the Local Authority’s therapists and the Posture and Mobility Services’ which improves collaboration and reduces the delay in ensuring suitable and timely equipment.  It was confirmed that any developments would be shared with the Committee.

It was confirmed that the members of the working group had spoken with some patients about the impact/shortcomings and confirmation was received that the Working Group had been able to improve the service and that the Health Board had moved on, and that much had changed, for the better, whilst the investigation had been in progress.

Pride was expressed when reading the recommendations; however, the substantial difference between North and South Wales was noted.  It was noted that it was important not to forget the recommendations, to continue  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider a report on Looked After Children and Young People

The report was accepted and the observations noted

It was noted that the report was being submitted with pride in the staff and foster parents.  A report was given on how the Service had responded to continuing with the Service during this difficult period and responding to the demand during the lockdown period.

          It was confirmed that there were 294 looked after children at the end of September 2020, and that they were being looked after for various reasons.  It was noted that placing a child in care was the last resort, but sometimes, there was no other choice.

Reference was made to the figure of 27 first-time looked after children in the period between April and September - i.e. they were not known to the Council prior to this period, whilst accepting also that anonymous referrals had increased to 71%.  On the other hand, it was confirmed that 24 had left the service during the period.  In relation to the children who were the subject of a Care Order, it was confirmed that collaboration had taken place with the parents.

          Reference was made to the attachment, which detailed numbers and placements, noting that some children were at home with family or members of the extended family.

          In terms of fostering resources, it was noted that 72 placements had been registered that had the capacity to offer placement for 139 children, along with 60 other fostering placements by means of extended family.  It was confirmed that additional placements had been registered during the period, and that the method of holding meetings had changed and that a recruitment campaign had taken place.

          It was confirmed that it was difficult to obtain placements for a small percentage, which was the Council's responsibility, and that the real last resort was to place in unregulated placement.  It was confirmed, during the past five years, that seven such arrangements had taken place for a period of three weeks at the longest.

          Reference was made to Welsh Government policy to reduce the number of looked after children.  The Committee was reminded that the policy direction was given the highest priority some years ago and the Government had been informed at that time that Gwynedd would not set a target, and avoid previous targets: this was not an easy stance.

          It was noted that Covid had introduced new challenges and that the workforce had been incredible in adapting quickly, and had dealt with matters such as:

          Continuing to carry out Assessments

          Continuing to keep in contact with parents

          Closing Hafan y Sêr

          Collaborating with the Education Department

Virtual Reviews for Looked After Children

Establishing a Helpline

Assistance to access materials such as medicines and baby food

Later on, matters such as the following were dealt with:

Re-opening Hafan y Sêr

Re-commencing contact arrangements between children and parents (with PPE of course)

Continuing to work from home

Concern was noted about staff and it was noted that the Service executed its responsibilities in full, albeit in a different way.

In relation to the staff, it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.