Agenda item

To update the committee on the Care Inspectorate’s findings and the Department’s programme of work to respond to them. Huw ap Tegwyn and Myfanwy Moran from Care Inspectorate Wales will be attending.

a)    To accept the report and the findings of the Care Inspectorate, noting the observations made during the meeting.

b)    To accept the work programme of the Adults, Health and Well-being Department to the response

The Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being highlighted that Care Inspectorate Wales had undertaken an inspection on the performance of the Council's Adults Services during September 2022. He reiterated that the Department was aware of the matters identified.

Myfanwy Moran and Huw ap Tegwyn (Care Inspectorate Wales) were welcomed to the meeting. Members were given a presentation which reported on the findings of the Evaluation Survey of Cyngor Gwynedd's Adults Services, September 2022. Reference was made to four fields the inspectorate had investigated and to the Council's strengths when responding to those requirements. It was highlighted that Cyngor Gwynedd was expected to consider the fields noted for improvement and take the appropriate actions to address those fields. The CIW would monitor progress through its ongoing performance review activity with the Local Authority.

Gratitude was expressed for the presentation

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

·         The Department was congratulated for its work

·         Nothing astounding had been found and this was encouraging

In response to observations and questions submitted by members, it was noted:-

·         When consulting with users and carers, a sample of files had been reviewed and discussions and focus groups were held, which included workers in the field of care, Council users and users of private companies. It was reiterated that considerable work had been done in an attempt to include the voice of users.

·         There was no reference to Support Services or Support Workers due to the nature and limits of the inspection. It was noted that the 'field' and 'specific location' element was irrelevant to this inspection as the work examined the service as a whole. In the context of the Support Services elements, this would have been gathered by reviewing the files. It was reiterated that Inspectors had discussed with focus groups, Support Services in the third sector and the Council. In response, if the Council's Support Services commissioned a Support Service it was highlighted that it should be incorporated as part of the report.

·         With a lack of staff capacity and increased demand, it was noted that the inspection had identified the shortfall and had drawn attention to the matter as one that needed improving. It was added that additional funding had been identified for 2022/23 to support the work but it was difficult to attract qualified workers to work short-term contracts. However, it was accepted that there was a need to be more creative when addressing this in future.

·         Whilst accepting that considerable recruitment work had been undertaken by publishing videos and advertisements, and that the recruitment problem was a national issue, it was asked whether the Inspectorate had seen success in recruitment in other areas or whether it was money that drove the problem? A response was provided noting that some areas had different schemes. A suggestion was made to consider the modernisation of services and to consider examples of good practice from other Authorities - social enterprises were a good example.

·         Although there was no certainty that the recruitment situation had improved, it was noted that reviews were undertaken on a regular basis.

·         To improve and further develop systems to ensure quality and knowledge of performance, it was noted that bids had been submitted many times for an additional resource to strengthen the team, but they had not been successful. Although the Service had done well with some bids in the past, perhaps it was not successful enough in response to the expectations of the Government, users and growth in demand. It was intended to either apply for grants or re-use current resources. A response would have to be provided if there was a statutory demand to ensure quality.

·         The Service was open to consider structuring shifts so that carers could get stability in other employment to strengthen and improve the workforce. Reference was made to examples where students from Coleg Meirion Dwyfor had work experience in the field and went on to receive opportunities as casual employees. It was reiterated that, should anyone wish to work in the field of care, potential working hours could be discussed, and that the department was open to any ideas in order to attract more staff.

·         With the Health Board under considerable pressures and prioritising making people better, it could be argued that the partnership element was not given the same attention. However, with collaboration with Partners being part of the Improvement Plan, it was noted that there was good collaboration on a front-line level, but it was recognised that there was room for improvement on the strategic elements.

RESOLVED:

a)    To accept the report and the findings of the Care Inspectorate, noting the observations made during the meeting.

b)    To accept the work programme of the Adults, Health and Well-being Department to the response.