Agenda item

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 noted as follows:

Health and Safety Procedures were tight

Managers were in regular contact

The management team and managers had had three sessions, giving an opportunity to report on challenges and concerns

 

Gratitude was expressed for the extensive report and questions were asked as follows:

 

In terms of the point 'At times, the ability to find a suitable residential placement is impossible', it was questioned whether this was a major risk for the staff?  It was also questioned how the risk to staff could be reduced.

It was noted that some individuals needed a response to their special needs.  Unfortunately, not only could private providers name their price, but also, placements were not always available.  It was confirmed that the solution was very difficult.  It was noted that when the situation arose, there was never a lack of staff who were prepared to volunteer to do the work.

It was questioned, if this was a national problem, then shouldn't the Government be challenged, accepting that it would not be easy?  Was there possibly a work stream here to consider the matter and proceed with it nationally; despite the fact that the issue was an old problem? The Committee was glad that the Head of Children and Supporting Families Department was Chairing the discussion Group on this.

 

Concern was expressed about the pay-freeze, especially when staff were doing their best.  It was noted that the high care figures showed that the Service looked after children and pride was expressed that the children were in good hands.

 

In terms of the Government's target of reducing the number of looked after children, support was expressed to Gwynedd's stance of not setting a % target, confirming there would be no more children in care than those who were in genuine need of being looked after.  In addition, it was also noted that setting a target was not the answer, but rather to improve, and it was confirmed that there was a need to show clearly and regularly what improvements had been made and what barriers had been overcome.

 

The fact that more children had come into care now as a result of telephone calls from individuals was questioned - why was this?  In response, it was noted that the individuals maybe had concerns, people were working from home and they saw or heard more or there were more eyes in our communities.  It was noted that the Service continued to see anonymous referrals.

 

The Cabinet Member gave thanks for the work, and he referred to the challenges, including:

the government's target and the fact that Gwynedd had come under pressure, but continued to refuse to set a target.

A Care Inspectorate Inspection was in the pipeline, which had come at a difficult time

Staff well-being matters

Financial challenges, where no stone was left unturned to see whether a saving could be made, although safety was paramount

It may be interesting, and useful, to submit a case study of an individual in the system to the Committee in the future

 

The Head and the Department were thanked for the way they had responded to the situation.

         

 

RESOLVED to accept the report and note the comments.

 

 

The meeting commenced at 10.00 and concluded at 11.45

 

 

 

 

 

CHAIR