Agenda item

To consider the report.

To accept the report and to note the observations received.

The report was presented by the Welsh Language Learning and Development Officer, and she briefly drew attention to the following main points:

Members were reminded that the Language Designations project was commissioned by this Committee in 2015 and was operational until 2023. It was explained that the purpose of the project was to ensure the consistency and appropriateness of the language requirements of the Council's posts, while the Council prepared for the statutory requirement of the Language Standards introduced in 2016, to keep a record of the language levels of its staff. It was added that the other purpose of the project was to ensure that support was available to staff members to use the Welsh language and continue to learn it, reducing the risk that Council staff would not be able to provide bilingual services to the people of Gwynedd.

It was noted that all posts advertised prior to the implementation of this project denoted 'fluent' language requirements and a detailed and ongoing record of the language proficiency of Council staff was not officially kept. It was added that the wording of the language skill levels differed from those used nationally which caused challenges when researching suitable training for similar language levels.

It was explained that the first part of the project was completed by the Human Resources service in 2016, where Welsh language skills levels were adapted to the wording used nationally (Entry, Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced). It was added that the service had also adapted all posts within the Council in order to adapt the language requirement for them in line with the requirements of the post.

It was reported that the second part of the project had taken place in 2017 where research had been carried out on how to gather detailed and accurate language assessments for staff, ensuring that there was support to maintain language skills levels or training to enable any member of staff to reach the appropriate language levels for their jobs. It was noted that this part of the project had been piloted with the Council's Gwynedd Consultancy department before being expanded to all other departments. Pride was expressed that this had led to the Language Self-assessment that staff members could find on the in-house self-service system, which informed them of their language skills level upon completion and gave staff members the opportunity to denote if they needed any help or to develop confidence to use the Welsh language. It was pointed out that a technological system had now been developed to store all the responses to the language self-assessment, thus providing officers with essential data.

It was confirmed that this data which included staff language levels and the numbers of individuals attending language training was shared with heads of departments on a quarterly basis and was used regularly as departments prepared to submit reports to this Committee. It was elaborated that a member of staff from the Council's main departments and Byw'n Iach sat on the Language Designation Forum which met quarterly to share good practice and discuss any challenges that arose.

Attention was drawn to the Cyfeillion Cymraeg scheme which had been developed following comments from members of staff who had attended the Council's language training. It was explained that this scheme matched members of staff who wished to receive additional opportunities to practise their language skills with a member of staff who was confident to support. Similarly, 'Tip Cymraeg y Mis' was set up which shared grammatical or technological support about the Welsh language with staff, and pride was expressed in the fact that Nant Gwrtheyrn was working with the Council to develop it and share it with learners who attended the centre. Assurance was given that both schemes remained operational.

It was confirmed that 'Hwb Hyfforddiant Iaith' had been set up digitally for Council staff to share information about the range of training available in-house and beyond.

An update was shared that it was hoped to collaborate with the Work Welsh scheme provided by the Welsh Government to develop a more extensive training scheme. It was hoped to develop specific training for specific sectors of work, such as care. It was elaborated that new systems were in the pipeline to ensure that Council officers received quick access to data.

It was confirmed that a number of developments carried out over the duration of the project remained operational and that new training continued to be developed, such as 'Cymraeg Clir' training which would be available to members of staff shortly.

During the discussion, the following observations were made: 

In response to an enquiry for further information about the 'Cyfeillion Cymraeg' scheme, the Welsh Language Learning and Development Officer confirmed that 10 staff pairings met regularly and informally. It was explained that individuals who attended language training felt more comfortable practising their language skills with other members of their team. It was confirmed that the scheme had led to support to develop oral and writing skills which had been invaluable. It was expanded that it was hoped that this scheme would continue into the future by trying to find members of staff who were keen to get involved and to provide support to others who were less confident in using the language.

In response to an enquiry on the application made to the Welsh Government's Work Welsh scheme to fund a Welsh language tutor in-house for the Council, the Welsh Language Learning and Development Officer confirmed that further discussions had led to the decision not to fund the role at this time. However, the provision offered by Work Welsh has expanded over recent years and the Council hopes to take advantage of those opportunities before creating a long-term training scheme. It was pointed out that this situation was being reviewed regularly and consideration would be given to employing an in-house Welsh tutor if the need arose.

It was pointed out that there was an effort to employ bilingual workers in the care sector to ensure that care was provided in the language of those receiving the service. In response to an enquiry as to how the Council could support carers in learning and fostering the Welsh language, the Welsh Language Learning and Development Officer confirmed that 'Cynllun Camau' was a self-study course available to care workers free of charge in their own time to learn more about the relevant Welsh vocabulary which was vital to their jobs. It was emphasised that ongoing work was being done to promote language skills opportunities with care workers. It was elaborated that consideration was being given to additional schemes such as releasing staff to attend language training or holding sessions in residential homes so that the individuals in the residential home attended the training with the staff members to support them if they wished.

Following considerations about language training for support staff in Gwynedd schools, the Welsh Language Learning and Development Officer confirmed that discussions were not currently in place but acknowledged that this was a gap in the current arrangements. It was noted that officers would be discussing with Work Welsh to find out if there was a self-study course available for school support staff to complete in their own time. The Senior Language and Scrutiny Adviser added that the Education Department had confirmed that they wished to target support staff to ensure the development of Welsh language skills while recognising that there was a high staff turnover within this field.

The members expressed their thanks for the report.

RESOLVED

To accept the report and note the observations received.