To receive apologies for absence from Members.

Cllr M Kearn and Cllr D White

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 (including whipping declarations)

Cllr M Jones declared a personal interest in item 7,Safeguarding, because he provided professional support to the authority in the management of domestic abuse.  

To receive for approval the minutes of a meeting of the Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2 of the 07/03/2018 and 17/04/2018

RESOLVED:                      That the Minutes of the meetings of the Subject

                                          Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2 of 7 March  

                                          2018 and 17 April 2018 be accepted as a true 

                                          and accurate record.          

Recommended 

The Committee nominated Cllr Mike Clarke as its Corporate Parenting Champion to represent the Committee as an invitee to meetings of the Corporate Parenting Cabinet Committee.

Recommended 

The Committee nominated Cllr Sorrel Dendy to sit on the Public Service Board Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

The Scrutiny Officer presented a report on the Forward Work Programme including the feedback from previous meetings and a list of responses including any still outstanding.

A Member referred to the Inspection of Children’s Services and the action plan drawn up a year ago and asked Members if they would like a report on the current status of the action plan. Members were conscious that staffwere under pressure and that the action plan was scrutinised in other areas so agreed that the update submitted to CIW could be provided to committee members for information.   

Members discussed ALN and the reasons for it being considered by SOSC 2 and not SOSC 1. Members requested that the recommendations previously made by SOSC 1 be included in the report to SOSC 2.

A Member referred to the Dementia Friends 1 training on 11 July 2018 and the poor attendance figures. A member replied that she and many other Members had already received this training and this session had been arranged specifically for members who had not yet received the training. She also advised that there was another session scheduled for a later date for Members who could not attend the first session.  Members discussed arrangements and suggested that in future a tick box could be sent for Members to say whether or not they had already received the training. Members said it would be helpful to receive an email explaining the background and not just a calendar entry. The Scrutiny Officer agreed to feedback the comments to the Head of Democratic Services.

Conclusions:

The Committee discussed the Forward Work Programme and the further information received back from officers after their last meeting.  Members noted the information report received on the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales – Inspection of Children’s Services January/February 2017– Action Plan Update.  Members asked to receive an information report to a future meeting to inform members where the Authority were now in respect of the action plan.  Members were mindful of officer time in producing such report and suggested they receive similar to what was presented to the CSSIW in response to the action plan. 

Invitees:

Susan Cooper Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing;

Cllr Phil White, Cabinet Member – Social Services and Early Help;

Jacqueline Davies, Head of Adult Social Care;

Laura Kinsey, Head of Children’s Social Care;

Elizabeth Walton James, Group Manager Safeguarding and Quality Assurance;

Terri Warrilow, Adult Safeguarding and Quality Manager;

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing presented a report updating the Committee with information on Safeguarding, Regional Safeguarding Boards, Bridgend Corporate Safeguarding Policy, Child Sexual Exploitation, Deprivation of Liberty Standards, Domestic Abuse and Human Trafficking and Anti-slavery. She explained that Safeguarding was everyone’s business and it extended beyond the social services directorate.

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing identified the main categories of abuse, the number of safeguarding referrals and the highest recorded category of abuse in 2017/2018 which was neglect followed by physical abuse, emotional/psychological abuse and financial abuse.

The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing updated the committee on MASH, DOLS, adult practice reviews, child practice reviews, governance and Regional Safeguarding Boards. She explained that the question, how do we know that the people of Bridgend are safe, had to be asked. The Partnership Board had recently met to share ideas and scrutinise the Bridgend area in particular. There was a Corporate Safeguarding Policy and also a group of safeguarding champions. 

A Member asked where the authority was with prevention and in particular, the anti-slavery issue. The Corporate Director Social Services and Wellbeing replied that the challenge was to establish a greater awareness of safeguarding issues and an understanding of thresholds. There were less people in managed care so people needed to know how to keep safe and, how to recognise the early signs. The MASH was an early intervention and advice service where different bodies could respond together quickly before issues escalated. The Head of Adult Social Care said there was a greater awareness with both staff and people in the community understanding what signs to look for and what to do. There had been presentations on both anti-slavery and CSE but more training was required.

DI Anthony Evans explained that there were specialist departments within the police which had spread into the communities and training and presentations were available online.

A Member referred to the police and fire service references within the report and asked to what extent the ambulance service was involved. The Head of Children’s Social Care explained that the ambulance service was on the Safeguarding Board and staff had access to training.

A Member asked if the number of Safeguarding Referrals and the number that met the threshold for Adult Protection Procedures were in line with the average for Wales. The Adult Safeguarding and Quality Manager confirmed that this was in line with the average. She added there was a good working relationship with partners and every referral had a response.

A Member asked for a definition of the thresholds. The Adult Safeguarding and Quality Manager agreed to send a definition in line with the legislation, to Members.  

A Member asked if there had been any changes to the way domestic abuse cases were reported and if the figures were accurate. DI Anthony Evans confirmed that the numbers were accurate and subject to a risk assessment. Each incident was investigated and a classification recorded. There were also ongoing risk assessments and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

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

None