Agenda item

The information in the report was accepted and noted.

The report was submitted by Cllr Elin Walker Jones

DECISION

The information in the report was accepted and noted.

DISCUSSION

Members were reminded that the department put the people of Gwynedd at the centre of its services and that its success in doing this was measured through regular Performance Challenge meetings.

It was reported that the department was leading on two of the Council's Plan projects. It was stated that one of these was the 'Small Group Homes Scheme'. It was explained that the department developed registered residential homes for small groups of up to two children which would allow them to receive care in Gwynedd, attend local schools, and participate fully in the life of their communities. It was confirmed that property visits had taken place in order to move the project forward and a house had been considered. It was stated that a plot of land in another area of Gwynedd was being considered for building a house for the purposes of this scheme. It was explained that a project group would be established in 2024 which would include officers from the Children, Housing and Property, Education departments and the Health Service to oversee the scheme. It was ensured that an additional £50,000 had been allocated to the project recently from the RIF fund underspend.

It was reported that the second Council Plan project led by the Department was the 'Autism Plan'. It was explained that autistic children, young people and adults faced challenges in receiving the necessary specialist support. A commitment was made to improving the service, making it easier for individuals to receive services. It was confirmed that a forum had been set up to look at the referrals that reach the Council. Information was provided about the launch of the Service at this year's National Eisteddfod which had been very successful. It was reported that many Council staff had now been given the opportunity to board the Autism Reality Experience Bus which gave a similar experience to how an individual with Autism sees the world around them. It was explained that Cyngor Gwynedd staff were required to complete level 1 and 2 Autism training. Assurance was given that the department worked closely with the Neurodevelopmental Team and Derwen Team on the plan.

It was acknowledged that the department's workforce situation remained a matter of serious concern. Despite this, it was confirmed that the department was making efforts to stabilise the situation for the future through collaboration with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and visits to Health and Care students to inform them of the employment opportunities available.

It was confirmed that the department continued to see profound and complex matters coming to the Council's attention and that the number of open cases was increasing. It was stated that the numbers of cases open to the Post-16 Team were at their highest ever, with 210 cases being dealt with. It was considered that this went hand in hand with an increase in homelessness contributions and therefore the department was working with the Homelessness Team to try to find suitable accommodation. It was acknowledged that this was an immense challenge.

It was noted that the effects of the pandemic, the costs crisis and stress led to higher numbers of people contacting the department for information and support. It was explained that 1,894 people came into contact with the department between July and September 2023, which was a significantly higher figure than was witnessed prior to the pandemic.

It was emphasised that this department was a part of the 'Maethu Cymru' national campaign to attract people to consider fostering. It was noted that the campaign had been very active over the summer by attending several events including the Royal Welsh Show and the National Eisteddfod where a 'Friendly Employer Panel' and a 'From the heart' conversation were held on the topic. It was elaborated that a number of businesses had been very supportive by displaying banners and posters. It was confirmed that the Care Friends app had been launched in September which rewarded foster carers when they shared information about fostering with their contacts and encouraged them along their journey to be foster carers. It was explained that every time users referred someone to the department, they would collect points which could be converted into cash to help them with everyday costs.

It was confirmed that the department had realised its total Savings Plans of £44,010 for the year 2023-24. It was expanded that the Department had received £130,000 as a one-off bid towards continuing to employ three social care practitioners. It was explained that a bid had been completed to make the position permanent for 2024-25 and it was hoped to hear the outcome of that bid in January 2024.