Agenda item

Context:

To provide Adults Select Committee with the Annual Report of the Statutory Director

of Social Services for consideration and comment.  It was explained that regrettably the report had been omitted from the agenda but it was agreed by Members that that they would listen and make comments.

Key Issues

1. This is the Annual Report of the Statutory Director of Social Services, andreflects on the financial year of 2016/17. The report is intended to reflect onprogress in delivering the priorities set out in last year’s annual report,performance for that year, and, maps out the key areas for development andimprovement in 2016/17. It enables the Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales (CSSIW) to test out whether our assessment of progress and development is consistent with the range of evidence gathered and presented to them as well as their direct experience through site visits, regulatory activity and themed inspections. The format of the report has changed is now in a nationally developed template which aligns to the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act (2014). Each Director in Wales must report on

performance and risk and set out plans for improvement in relation to:

·         Summary of performance;

·         How people are shaping our services;

·         Promoting and improving the wellbeing of those we help;

·         Working with people and partners to protect and promote people’s physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing;

·         Encouraging and supporting people to learn, develop and participate in society;

·         Supporting people to safely develop and maintain health domestic, family and personal relationships;

·         Taking steps to protect and safeguard people from abuse, neglect or harm;

·         How we do what we do;

·         Our partnership working, political and corporate leadership, governance and accountability;

·         Our priorities for improvement.

2. The annual report provides an opportunity to reflect on what we are doing to make a difference to the lives of the most vulnerable citizens of Monmouthshire, what we do well, and where we need to do even better. The report explains the context in which we are working and how we will continue to improve and modernise. It highlights some excellent, leading edge, practice, workforce development, service provision and commissioning. The remodelling of care at home through the roll out of the Monmouthshire Care at Home is just one example of where this is the case. It shows progress from the improvement objectives set last year – the Children’s Services Improvement Programme is on track overall to deliver excellence in children’s services in the 3 year timescale of the programme. There has been particular progress in how we manage contacts with and referrals to the service, and stabilising and supporting our workforce.

3. There are also areas where risk and challenge is highlighted. People in Monmouthshire who need care and support in the community are not always receiving it from the right services as quickly as they need to, with some delays in hospital settings but more in the community. Securing sufficient quality of working with the care sector to implement the right models of care and support, and implement a workforce development plan for the care workforce is the highest priority for adult services. The report highlights the ongoing risks and areas for development in children’s social services, particularly evident in the high numbers of children on the child protection register. There is an accelerated need to integrate better targeted prevention and early intervention through the team around the family with children’s social services and to recruit more local foster carers for Monmouthshire children.

4. The Annual Report articulates a vision and associated priorities for wellbeing, social care and health in Monmouthshire which seeks to build on the many strengths that exist with the aim of delivering consistently excellent outcomes across the board. This is within the context of the new legislative framework for Social Services in Wales, the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act (2014), the increasing challenges of demography which could significantly increase demand for social services, the challenging of securing a workforce and providing services in a rural county and reducing budgets. The balance in the report is as much around wellbeing as care and support: so much of the success of social care and health is dependent on resilient people, families and communities who live the lives they want to live without the need for care and support from statutory social services.

Member Scrutiny

A Member advocated a “helping hand” brand instead of the label of Social Services would be a way of overcoming barriers to address isolation, care and support.

A Member recommended the Age Cymru website that provides a comprehensive list of services for individuals.  It was commented that a priority is to highlight the many services available.  For example, DEWIS is a useful wellbeing resource. 

The point was made that the lack of internet, computer skills and inability to visit the Hubs is a significant issue in communication and provision of services.  It was suggested that leaflets in libraries and village halls may be more beneficial but also accepted that there is a need to look for other means of engagement to communicate with vulnerable and lonely people.  It was suggested, by a Member, that Elected Members have a unique role in the ward and can communicate with residents via newsletters etc.

A Member added that other barriers include busy families, people struggling to maintain independence and a reluctance to ask for help which could see some people “slipping through the net”.  In response, it was acknowledged that one size does not fit all needs of communities and that digital responses are not always appropriate.  The use of community connectors and befrienders, for example, aims to combat disengagement.  The Chief Officer agreed it was important to reflect these elements in the priorities for next year.

A Member asked if the report could be amended to include communication for elderly people about the type of help available in an appropriate format.

A Member questioned if the authority had fully mapped the third sector offer to provide a list of what services are available.  It was responded that part of the information from voluntary and community groups is known but not all.  It was added that a Community Development Team is being established and mapping the resources in an area would be a key role.  

In response to a Member’s question regarding the creation of a team and how outcomes would be measured, it was explained that the authority is working with Public Health Wales and the University of Swansea to ensure that the correct measures are in use and an annual report will be made.  It was commented that it will be important for Members to be aware of who the Community Development Officer is for their ward.  A Member emphasised that this was vital to the success of the service.