To receive apologies for absence (to include reasons, where appropriate) from

Members/ Officers.

Apologies for absence were received from the following Officers/ members for the reasons so stated:

Councillor P Davies – Leave

Councillor R Thomas – Work Commitments

Mr R Thomas  – Leave

Deborah McMillan – Unwell

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 01 September 2008 (including whipping declarations).

None

To receive for approval the minutes of the Children and Young People Overview and

Scrutiny Committee of 29 July 2015. 

The minutes of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 29 July 2015 were approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting

The Scrutiny Officer presented a report to the Committee of the items due to be considered at the Committee’s meeting to be held 4 November 2015 and sought confirmation of the information required for the subsequent scheduled meeting to be held on 5 January 2015.  She also presented a list of further potential items for prioritisation by the Committee

Conclusions

Members requested that an Item on Residential Remodelling be brought to the November Committee meeting and defer the Permanency and Placement Strategy and Early Help Strategy update to after April 2016

Invitees:

Cllr Hailey Townsend, Cabinet Member, Childrens Social Services and Equalities

Susan Cooper, Corporate Director, Social Services and Wellbeing

Catherine Parry, Interim Head of Safeguarding and Family Support

Jane Iles – Unison Trade Union Representative

Zenda Caravaggi – GMB Trade Union Representative

The Scrutiny Officer presented a report to Committee with information in relation to the recruitment and retention of social workers.  The report set out some of the key activities undertaken in Bridgend County Borough Council since the previous report presented to the Committee in October 2014 and responded to issues which had been raised in relation to:

·         Local Authority Pay Scales

·         Provision of practice placements

·         Support given to newly qualified social workers

·         Staff engagement, including exit interviews and consultation

·         Agency Workers

Members were concerned that 81% of social workers had less than two years’ experience at the Authority; they asked Officers how they were managing the issue

The Corporate Director – Wellbeing stated that Childrens Social Services are continuing to see signs of improvement which is reflected in the performance indicators.  She added that in terms of the retention of Social Workers the Authority has introduced a more robust staff induction and development programme which included a coaching and mentoring programme with their newly implemented Assistant Team Managers and Team Managers to ensure that staff felt supported.  She further added that the Authority had recently completed their Annual Reporting Framework and had received recommendations back from CSSIW which they had acknowledged and put plans in place to address issues raised.  She agreed that there were still issues which are currently being addressed regarding the retention of social workers which she hoped to evidence improvement at a future meeting.

            Members questioned how the increasing amount of pressure being placed on Social

Workers in relation to high caseload numbers was being managed.

The Corporate Director – Wellbeing confirmed that improving caseload allocation is a priority for the department which they are looking to drive down to a manageable level to efficiently support families.  A new case management system had gone live in April 2015 which made it easier for the Social Worker to report on cases so they are able to spend more time with families, instead of at a computer completing paperwork. This has enabled them to better allocate caseloads to Social Workers so they have a balance of complexity of cases.  The Corporate Director- Wellbeing added that flexible working policies were also in place to allow staff to have a greater work/ life balance. 

Members questioned whether the salary scales for Social Workers was a contributing factor for the low numbers of experienced Social Workers staying in the Authority. They also questioned the comparison of salary for Social Workers employed directly by the Authority and through an Agency. 

The Corporate Director – Wellbeing stated that most Local Authorities have a two tier pay system in place for Social Workers which do not take into account career progression.  She confirmed that Social Workers at the Authority start on the same entry salary and after two years they complete a competency test and would then be progressed to the appropriate level according to their skill.  The Corporate Director – Wellbeing added that she would need to get comparison figures of salary for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 190.

Invitees:

Cllr Huw David, Deputy Leader

Deborah McMillan, Corporate  Director – Education and Transformation

Nicola Echanis, Head of Strategy Commissioning and Partnerships

Mark Lewis, Partnership Manager Integrated Partnership Support Team

The Scrutiny Officer presented a report to Committee with an update on progress implementation of the Youth Engagement and Progression (YE&P) Framework and the Youth Service Review.  She explained that the YE&P Framework is key in reducing the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).  As part of the Framework, Welsh Government requested each Local Authority to complete an action plan by the 14March 2014 outlining how they were going to take forward implantation of the Framework.  In Bridgend this was initially developed by a multi-agency task and finish group; however, responsibility for developing a more focussed implementation plan has come under the remit of the Engagement and Progression Coordinator (EPC) and members of a newly formed YE&P Framework steering group. 

Members asked if a Keeping in Touch Officer was still employed to support the Framework

The Family Support Services Manager stated that Integrated Working and Family Support now has six full time Lead Workers which are funded by the Education Improvement Grant that are allocated to each of the Authorities Secondary and Special Schools.  Their priorities were to identify young people with the greatest need through the Authority’s Early Identification tool which would then enable them to reduce the number of NEETS and also reduce a young person’s vulnerability towards becoming NEET. 

Members questioned how many hours of support from staff at the Authority was being offered to the Youth Council.

The Family Support Services Manager stated that three workers currently invest time in sub groups that had been set up with the Youth Council, he explained that they were still being developed so was unable to give the Committee specific number of hours at this time.

Members felt that that early intervention was key to the prevention of young people becoming NEET and suggested intervention earlier than Key Stage 3 & 4 to possibly Key Stage 2 & 3, especially in socially deprived areas where the vulnerability is higher. 

The Partnership Manager - Integrated Partnership Support Team stated that they were restricted by the Schools budget regulations that are set by Welsh Government on an annual basis.  Members asked for further clarification of the regulations to be shared with the Committee.

Members asked if the Youth Engagement and Progression Framework were being proactive to prevent Looked After Children (LAC) becoming NEET as they were identified through the Vulnerability Assessment Profile as a potential high risk at becoming NEET; and Members queried if the Authority could do more as a potential employer.

The Partnership Manager – Integrated Partnership Support Team stated that they work closely with Corporate HR internally and also with external bodies such as Careers Wales.  He stated they have a team of three Engagement and Transition workers to provide lead work support for post 16’s.  He added that they focus on potential apprenticeships and work opportunities for post 16 LAC in the Borough

Conclusions

Members requested further information in relation to how many hours of support from the Authority was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 191.

To consider any 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 by reason of special circumstances be transacted at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

None