The Head of Children’s Social Care presented a report, in order to share with Cabinet Committee, reports and associated Action Plans following the CIW inspections regarding Maple Tree House (September 2019, February 2020 and August 2020) and Harwood House (July 2019).

By way of some background information, she advised Members that Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) were responsible for inspecting all regulated care and support services, including Children’s Homes, in Wales.  Inspections consist of four key stages: 1) inspection planning and preparation, 2) the inspection visit, 3) feedback, and 4) reporting.  During the process, inspectors would make judgements as to how well the service is performing under four core themes: 1) well-being; 2) care and support; 3) environment; and 4) leadership and management.

In the case of children’s homes, CIW would make annual inspections as part of their rolling programme.  There were two main types of inspections, namely Full and Focused and an explanation as to what was entailed in respect of each of these, was contained in paragraph 3.2 of the report.

Paragraph(s) 4 of the report, then gave a summary of the findings of the CIW inspections of each of the premises in question, with the Full Inspection Reports attached as Appendices to the covering report.

The Head of Children’s Social Care referred Members to paragraph 4.6 of the report, where the CIW acknowledged that certain improvements listed here, had been made at Maple Tree House, following a further CIW inspection of this Home.

She then referred to the section of the report headed recommendations and next steps.

Action Plans had been developed in response to the recommendations made by CIW in respect of the Homes and these were attached at Appendices 5 and 6 of the report. These were monitored by the Group Manager - Placements and Provider Services Team, during supervision with the Residential Manager(s) and the Responsible Individual through their routine visits. As shown in the report, there were no outstanding actions for Harwood House and there was a comprehensive action plan and support package driving forward the changes and improvements required at Maple Tree House.  

The Head of Children’s Social Care advised that since the report before Members had been written, a further unannounced inspection had been made by CIW at Maple House and the Inspector had informed Social Services that massive progress had been made there since the original inspection was undertaken. The Improvement and Enforcement Panel  since this had taken place, had also met and decided to lift restrictions they had previously put in place at Maple House (due to the improvements that had been achieved). The Panel had decided to take no further action due to previous non-compliance issues now having been met. The CIW Inspector had since submitted a written report, following this latest inspection, acknowledging the positive changes that had been put in place confirming that improvements in all areas of the home had been made, aside of in a small number of areas which was work in progress.

Members welcomed this update and the Leader asked if all the action points illustrated in the relevant agreed Action Plan, had now been carried out.

The Group Manager – Placements and Provider Services confirmed that most of these had been finalised and completed, though there was a few areas where work was still ongoing. He added that all four homes were now fully compliant in terms of regulations laid down by the CIW. These standards would be maintained, he assured Members.

The Deputy leader referred to paragraph 4.1.3 of the report, where it outlined that there was a new facility planned at the site of the former Brynmenyn Primary School. He asked if the date for the opening of this new facility was still on target and what would the benefits of this facility when compared to the one it was replacing.

The Head of Children’s Care confirmed that planning permission had now been granted for the new facility and that it was on target to open next year. She added that this would be in an improved more semi-rural location, with improved outdoor open space, which would assist children’s emotional and physical wellbeing. The building was also bigger than the current facility at Maple House and there would be an extra emergency bed provided there totalling three beds, whereby at the current facility there was only two.

RESOLVED:                               That the Cabinet Committee received and approved the updated Action Plans, as attached to the report.