To receive apologies for absence from Members.

Cabinet Member for Communities

Group Manager - Case Management & Transition

To receive declarations of personal and prejudicial interest (if any) from Members/Officers in accordance with the provisions of the Members’ Code of Conduct adopted by Council from 1 September 2008.

None

To receive for approval the minutes of 12/10/2022

RESOLVED : That the minutes  of the meeting  dated 12/10/2022 be approved as a true and accurate record.

A report was presented by the Corporate Director for Social Services and Wellbeing on the above topic.

The Deputy Leader queried the outcome of the individuals who benefit from the Pilot Scheme and those who did not.

A Member queried details of the tenure and provision of direct payment. He also queried on support provided to those individuals who were vulnerable on inexperienced in handling finance. The Member further queried, as the scheme ran over a period of 3 years, the provisions in place in the event the individual secured employment or training.

The Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations queried the support available to the young person after the pilot scheme had reached its end.

The Team Manager - Just Ask plus responded by stating that payment went direct to the individual. He stated that all young people were assigned to a personal advisor who would guide them on this. He stated that the young person would be in receipt of basic income when employed. He also stated that it was important to keep the young person engaged to ensure a steady income.

The Deputy Leader added to this by stating that the young person will be entitled to the support until they reach the age of 25..

The Cabinet Member for Resources queried how many out of the number currently in the scheme are currently in education.

The Team Manager - Just Ask plus responded by stating that exact figures were not available, however there was an expectation for surveys and personal advisors would  assist with the figures.

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The Corporate Director for Social Services and Wellbeing stated there were currently KPI’s on care-leavers engaging with the Local Authority and agreed to put local measures in place here.

The Leader agreed that it would be helpful to have the wider update as it was about enhancing their opportunities, evaluating and monitoring regularly and he  welcomed a six month or annual report on the project.

RESOLVED : That the Committee considered the contents of the report and noted the progress relating to the implementation of the Basic Income Pilot Scheme.

The Corporate Director for Social Services and Wellbeing introduced the report and invited the Head of Childrens Social Care to present the findings of the Inspection.

She went through the outcomes of the inspections conducted on :

· Maple Tree House on 28 June 2022

· Sunny Bank on 04 August 2022

· Harwood House on 13 September 2022

· Bakers Way on 29 September 2022

The Head of Childrens Social Care stated that the staff were committed to providing  first class care prior to the findings shared with the Inspectorate. She mentioned the difficulties in recruitment and retention of staff and stated that the operation of Maple Tree House will not resume until all the recommendations from the Inspection had been implemented.

A Member queried the plans for staffing in all the various settings and she mentioned concerns that the closure was due to staffing and recurrence of issues related to staffing. She also voiced concerns about the possible ongoing of the wellbeing of the children in the residential settings.

The Head of Childrens Social Care responded that there was ongoing recruitment into the settings with an emphasis on making the posts attractive to prospective recruits. She stated  that means of building a pool of casual staff as opposed to utilising the services of agency staff was also being looked at.

She invited the Group Manager – Placements and Provider Services to elaborate.

He stated there were visible positive signs in recruitment of staff with managers working closely with the communications team to encourage such recruitment.

The Deputy Leader stated they were aware of the difficulties faced by the children who had since been moved to a similar setting run by social workers. She assured the committee that she had received updates that they were doing well and the move was a positive one. She stated that the focus on recruitment was based on the quality of support, rather than the number of employees.

The Head of Childrens Social Care supported the above statements and reiterated that the Maple Tree residential home would only re-open if the requirements set out by the inspectorate are fully satisfied. She stated that a New Build facility in Brynmenyn is to be opened as an emergency and assessment provision.

The Corporate Director for Social Services and Wellbeing added that they were looking at a multi-agency response and working towards achieving a Therapeutic Model.

The Leader expressed his gratitude to staff and sought reassurance that requirements set out for improvement have been implemented.

The Head of Childrens Social Care stated that the management of the Sunnybank Residential unit had responded to the recommendations set out by the Inspectorate and assured that there had not been any inspections since.

RESOLVED : That the Cabinet Committee  noted the report.

The Corporate Parenting Participation Officer stated that purpose of the report was to provide the Cabinet Committee Corporate Parenting with an update on the development of Corporate Parenting in Bridgend.

He introduced and went through the report. He stated they were inviting professions to make a “Promise” on what they had the ability to change and bring into the Strategic Plan. He stated that the details regarding this, could be brought to the next meeting.

He mentioned two groups that would make up the Youth Forum and sought approval for draft terms of reference.

The Leader queried the engagement from partners.

The Deputy Leader responded stating that the partners did not have an understanding before but were fully engaged now. This was reinforced by the Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations, by stating that it was important for all Councillors to involve themselves as much as their individual schedules permitted and queried from the Corporate Parenting Participation Officer about plans to promote engagement so that Council colleagues could see the wonderful work done by the team and the foster parents for the children cared for by the borough.

This was agreed by the Corporate Parenting Participation Officer who stated that the response from partners was a positive one. He also stated that the aims and objectives of the sub-groups were focussed on providing a voice of a child by way of training, promotions and championing their roles and responsibilities. He mentioned having written to professionals and Councillors with a view to promoting this.

RESOLVED:                         (1) That the  Committee supported the progress of the Corporate Parenting Development.

  (2) That the Committee approved the Bridgend Corporate Parenting Board Terms of Reference.

To consider any other item(s) of business in respect of which notice has been given in accordance with Part 4 (paragraph 4) of the Council Procedure Rules and which the person presiding at the meeting is of the opinion should be reason of special circumstances be transacted at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

None