Agenda item

To consider the report and accept the update

·       To accept and note the progress to the Council's Domiciliary Care arrangements

·       That a further update is needed in six months' time on the progress and success of the work programme

·       That there is a need to look at reconciling salaries across all sectors – this is crucial if Cyngor Gwynedd is to continue to offer quality care.

Following on from the findings of an Internal Audit special audit commissioned by the Chief Executive into domiciliary care in Cyngor Gwynedd, an update was received from the Head of Adults, Health and Well-being Department on the detailed work programme that had been drawn up to prioritise and strengthen the domiciliary care provision at the February 2025 Committee meeting. Following the update, Members had requested a further update from the Department in 12 months' time on the progress and success of the work programme.

Alun Gwilym Williams (Assistant Business Head of Adults, Health and Well-being Department) was welcomed to submit the update. Reference was made to the successes and advancements of the work programme as well as the challenges facing the service.

During the ensuing discussion, the following observations were made by Members:

·        The team were congratulated for their work – the findings were damning and therefore it was important to acknowledge the response

·        There had been noticeable progress in the work, the situation was being appropriately addressed and was improving

·        Despite a reduction in block hours that did not go to direct care, the number of hours here remained high – was there a specific timetable for this work?

·        Wage levels needed to be reviewed – better wages were available in other sectors. There was a need to harmonise wages if Cyngor Gwynedd was to continue to offer standard care.

In response to the above observation about a reduction in block hours, it was highlighted that the service would not be in a position to be able to reach a point where all block hours went to direct care (this was the principle of the model, flexibility etc) but would clearly continue to work with providers to bring these hours down further.

In response to a question about existing domiciliary care contracts expiring in October 2027 and whether work was being done to review lessons learned from the old system before drawing up new agreements, it was noted that discussions were taking place with domiciliary care users and their families, staff, providers and stakeholders to ensure a better model for the future. It was reiterated that discussions were also taking place with other Councils who had piloted similar models, to ensure a more effective model for Gwynedd.

In response to a question about how the service was approaching staff recruitment and retention, with some areas suffering more than others, it was noted that the challenge of recruitment was a significant one across the sector. He reiterated that despite efforts locally and the development of a Care Academy in Gwynedd, the appointments did not meet the demand and that plans were underway to address a national challenge here. In response to a supplementary question about the effects of the government's decision to stop recruiting care workers from overseas, they noted the hope of seeing changes to the system by 2028 – that recruiting workers from abroad was an effective means of maintaining care.

They were thanked for the update.

RESOLVED

·        To accept and note the progress to the Council's Domiciliary Care arrangements

·        That a further update is needed in six months' time on the progress and success of the work programme

·        To look at reconciling salaries across all sectors - this is crucial if Cyngor Gwynedd is to continue to offer quality care