To receive apologies for absence from Members.

Apologies for absence were received from the following Officer:-

D McMillan

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).

The following declarations of interest were made:-

Councillor N Farr, personal interest in agenda item 3., in that she was a Social Worker in Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

W Bond, personal interest in agenda item 3., as a Member of Heronsbridge School governing body

Invitees:

Councillor Hailey Townsend – Cabinet Member, Childrens Social Services and Equalities

Susan Cooper – Corporate Director, Social Services and Wellbeing

Laura Kinsey – Head of Children’s Social Care

Pete Tyson – Planning and Contract Management Officer

The Corporate Director, Social Services and Wellbeing presented a report, that informed the Committee of the work that has been undertaken as part of the Children with Disabilities Transformation programme, and to introduce the proposals and new models in moving forward for specialist 52-week provision for children and young people with complex needs, and overnight short breaks services for children with disabilities.

She confirmed that the report demonstrated that good progress was continuing to be made on the back of the initial work previously carried out, as alluded to in paragraphs 3. of the report, containing background information relating to the transformation programme.

She explained that the aim for BCBC, was for children and young people to remain within their local community with friends/family, for reasons of stability and continuity in their lives , and to comply with  the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014, the provisions of which came into force in April 2016.

There was a need to provide specialist 52 week provision available In-County for children and young people with complex needs, with the only option currently being an Out of County placement, which often proved very expensive and meant that young people were moving from their local area and their family.

An initial consultation exercise had been carried out with services users and key stakeholders etc, which confirmed that this proposal was supported, and particularly by families of children who already had  been placed Out of County.

The Corporate Director, Social Services and Wellbeing confirmed that the potential models considered for such specialist 52 week provision for children and young people with complex needs included:

·          Commissioning an independent In-County provider to deliver this provision, though following market testing and detailed discussions, it had been concluded there were limited opportunities to do this at this time;

·          Refurbish and utilise buildings at Heronsbridge School, in order to provide the 52 week provision, with staff there delivering the extra service. This option was not pursued due to  considerable registration and staffing implications.;

·          Refurbish and utilise buildings at the school in order to secure the 52 week provision (In-County), with further BCBC staff delivering and staffing the service. This was the Option that was supported and endorsed by the project team who developed the Options appraisal.

She proceeded by advising that during the last 10 years, there had been an average of 3 Out of County placements every year, at a cost of £4 – 5k a week to the Authority.

The Corporate Director, Social Services and Wellbeing confirmed that in terms of the preferred option, a Programme Board had been established to manage the option and prepare a Business Case going forward, for which a capital bid had been approved by Council earlier this year.

She then referred to the Short Breaks (respite) service for Children with Disabilities, presently being provided through a combination of services, that included Bakers Way, Family Link (disabled respite foster carer service) and Direct Payments.

The establishment at Bakers Way, provided an overnight  ...  view the full minutes text for item 233.

Invitees:

Councillor Huw David – Deputy Leader

Deborah McMillan – Corporate Director, Education and Family Support

Nicola Echanis – Head of Education and Early Help

Sarah Keefe – Senior Development Worker

Representative from the Youth Council

The Chairperson welcomed the Invitees to the meeting in order to discuss the above Strategy (attached at Appendix 1 to the report), and Members proceeded straight into a question and answering session.

A Member referred to page 24 of the report and paragraph 4.3, where it made reference to the Bridgend Youth Council being supported by staff within the Integrated Working and Family Support Team, which will be recognised as the platform through which all children and young people throughout the County Borough will be encouraged to influence positive changes within services and decisions which will affect them. It also stated, that the Youth Council will be the primary platform through which children and young people may engage in the democratic and decision making processes that affect them. He asked Invitees how this intended to be both delivered and sustained, given the budget cuts that the Youth Council had faced in recent years under the Council’s MTFS. He added that page 29 of the Strategy, confirmed that participation was the active involvement of children and young people in making decisions about the services that affect them or which they use, including involvement in decision making processes, and giving feedback on how their contribution has made a difference. He questioned in practical terms if this was tokenistic or realistic. The Member also referred to page 35 of the Strategy where it quoted that encouragement should be given to ensure young people have an involvement and input within the implementation of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014. He also noted from page 37 of the Strategy, that it made reference to there being good opportunities for young people to have their say in the decisions that affect them. He asked what evidence there was of this, ie possibly through case studies or the like.

Finally, he referred to page 32 of the Strategy, and that the level of involvement of children and young people will increase as the Participation Strategy is developed. He referred to the ‘Ladder of Participation’ produced by UNICEF, which measured the involvement of children and young people. He asked Invitees what rung of the ladder young people in the County Borough were currently on.

The Head of Education and Early Help, advised that statutory guidance had been issued by Welsh Government to local authorities, to promote and facilitate participation by children and young people in decisions that may affect them.

Within the necessary guidance, there was an emphasis on the role of the young person in implementing the 7 wellbeing goals through inclusion in the decision making process. There were also some further recommendations for local authorities to adhere to, and to the National Participation Standards (shown at Appendix 2 to the report), which will ensure effective working practices are followed.

She added that Bridgend would deliver its commitment to embedding the participation agenda in all aspects of the delivery and reviewing of services through the implementation of the Strategy, in line with the ‘Shared Purpose:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 234.

The Corporate Director Operational and Partnership Services submitted a report, the purpose of which, was to present the items due to be considered at the Committee’s meeting on 13 October 2016, and seeking confirmation of the information required for the subsequent scheduled meeting to be held on 15 December 2016, and finally, present a list of further potential items for prioritisation by the Committee.

RECOMMENDED:              That the Committee:-

(1)  Noted the items due to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on 13 October 2016, as outlined in paragraph 4.1 of the report, as well as the Invitees for this meeting.

(2)  Noted the items to be considered at the subsequent meeting scheduled for 15 December 2016, as outlined in paragraph 4.2 of the report, and the suggested Invitees for this meeting.

(3)  Further noted the remaining items to be considered as part of the Committee’s Forward Work Programme going forward, as recommended in paragraph’s 4.3 and 4.4 of the report.

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.