The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing submitted a report, the purpose of which, was to provide Council with a brief overview of the Market Stability Report (MSR), as required under Section 144B of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.

By way of background information, she advised that legislation requires local authorities to prepare and publish market stability reports and makes provision for regulations setting out the form these must take, matters to be included, and the prescribed period for carrying out market stability assessments as set out in the Partnership Arrangements (Amendment) and Regulated Services (Market Stability Reports) (Wales) Regulations 2021.

The Regulations also amend the Partnership Arrangements (Wales) Regulations 2015, so that the preparation and publication of market stability reports must be carried out on a regional footprint, with local authorities and Local Health Boards working together through Regional Partnership Boards (RPBs).

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing confirmed, that Regulations also required local authorities to produce market stability reports every five years, with the first reports aimed to be published by 1 June 2022. The Local Government Elections on the 5 May 2022 meant that it was not possible to gain approval of the MSR until new Councils were formed.

The report she added, will help inform and shape the next five-year area plan, along with the 2022 Cwm Taf Morgannwg (CTM) population needs assessment.

In preparation for undertaking this report, the Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing stated that local authorities carried out, in partnership with the Local Health Board and other RPB partners, an assessment of both the following:

·         Sufficiency - an assessment of the sufficiency of care and support in meeting the needs and demand for social care as set out in the population needs assessment. and

·         Stability - an assessment of the stability of the market for regulated services providing care and support

She explained that the COVID19 pandemic had been an unprecedented challenge and has changed the type of demand and the way in which local authorities delivered care and support. The impact on people who need care, and their carers is recognised as is the ongoing workforce pressures and market uncertainty.

In January 2021 the Welsh Government published a White Paper setting out their ambition to rebalance care and support providing a mixed economy ensuring there was not an over reliance on the private sector. The ambition sought to simplify current commissioning arrangements, strengthen quality and social value and actively manage the market through effective partnership arrangements.

She stressed that it should be further noted, that the Programme for Government outlines the Welsh Governments commitment to ‘eliminate private profit from care of looked after children’ (Next Senedd term 2026-2031).

The diagram in paragraph 4.5 of the report, illustrated the relationships between each of the different elements of the MSR how they will contribute towards the ongoing development of regional plans and commissioning strategies and statements.

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing then advised that the next section of the report, reflected the key messages from the Market Stability report, and that the recommendations would be further explored within the Regional Partnership Board, adult and children’s boards within future work programmes, as appropriate.

Prior to receiving questions from the floor, she gave a resume of the key messages and recommended actions arising from the different elements of the Market Stability Report (MSR), for the benefit of Members.

The full version of the MSR was attached to the report at Appendix 1, with a summary version shown at Appendix 2.

The Deputy Leader thanked the Officer for this regional report. She confirmed that it was no surprise in this area of work, to see issues regarding difficulty around the recruitment and retention of staff, given the demands upon the service which had increased significantly so, particularly since the inception of the pandemic.

This had resulted in some difficulty around giving full commitment to the various plans and strategies relating to the future commissioning of care support mechanisms, including the not-for-profit type for young people. If local authorities are able to fully commit to the delivery of these services, adequate support needs to be provided from Central Government.

A Member asked what preventative measures the Council had moving forward for families that require early intervention, in order to ensure they are not put in a position of risk. Also, he asked if the Council have looked at any options of enhanced support for Foster Carers, for example free bus passes, free/reduced access to leisure facilities, etc.

The Deputy Leader confirmed that a report was considered by Cabinet yesterday entitled Foster Care Allowances update and if the Councillor read this, he will find that there is a considerable amount of information therein, including what Foster Carers think of the Council’s service provision.

She added that service demands had increased by around 200% in recent times and this was proving to be extremely difficult to manage, especially as support to both Foster Carers should be accessible 24/7.

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing advised, that through both her and the Education and Family Support Directorate, there was a wide range of support available in terms of early help and prevention and wellbeing services, including support from reunification staff which was invaluable.

These staff undertook very focused work in the support of children to become reunited with their families and stabilise placements at risk of breakdown. She added that efforts are also continually being made, to reduce the numbers of children being looked after, where this is safe and in the best interests of the child. She further added, that the Council had also introduced a Foster Care Charter which would support Foster Carers to look after some of the more challenging children, who had experienced unfortunate events in the early part of their lives.

Finally, the Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing, confirmed that a survey carried out as part of the Foster Carers Charter, included for feedback from them on their relationship and experiences with other providers, the full results of which could be shared with Members in due course.

RESOLVED:                                  That Council:

• Noted the key messages and recommendations; and
• Endorsed the Regional Market Stability report.