Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

Resolved that the Minutes of the People Policy Development Committee held on 20 January 2021 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Gavin Evans

Gavin Evans, Principal Officer for Early Help, Partnership and Young People had provided a number of powerpoint slides in relation to the Young Carers Strategy.

The slides outlined:

Ø    An overview of the Strategy development;

Ø    Areas being developed in the Strategy;

Ø    Strategy aims / purpose:

To increase the awareness of Young Carers;

To increase the identification of Young Carers;

To ensure the right support at the right time;

Ø    Outcomes and measures;

Ø    Next steps

Egija Cinovska, the Young Carers Project Co-ordinator in Swansea YMCA provided additional information in relation to the National Young Carers ID card scheme.  She explained that the card could be utilised by the Young Carers at school, for instances where there was a need to finish school early or attend late due to caring responsibilities, or alternatively if they had been unable to complete any homework.  In addition, it was hoped that the card could be used at pharmacies so that a young carer could collect medication for their dependant, as well as being able to use it for reduced cost on public transport should they need to escort a dependant to any scheduled appointment.  The ID card scheme would be on a voluntary take up basis.

The Principal Officer for Early Help, Partnership and Young People informed the Committee that Swansea YMCA had been successful in the re-commissioning of the Young Carers service for the next 3 years.

The Committee made comments and asked various questions of the officers, which were responded to accordingly.

The Chair thanked the officers for their informative presentation.

Resolved that the presentation be noted.

Jane Whitmore

Jane Whitmore, Strategic Lead Commissioner provided a presentation in relation to how the Co-production Strategy could be utilised as a tool to develop the Young Carers Strategy.

She outlined:

·                     The aim of the Strategy which had been designed by our citizens;

·                     The background;

·                     Embedding Co-production Journey;

·                     The involvement of children and young people;

·                     What is meant by coproduction;

·                     Its principles;

·                     What is not coproduction;

·                     The difference between coproduction and consultation/engagement and education;

·                     How coproduction can work;

·                     How coproduction can develop a Young Carers Strategy.

The Chair thanked the Officer for her presentation and stated that the People Policy Development Committee should adopt the Coproduction Strategy process for all its future work plan items.

Resolved that the presentation be noted.

The Chair outlined the Work Plan for 2020-2021.

Resolved that:

1)           A verbal update on the Young Carers Strategy be provided at the remaining two meetings of the People PDC for 2020-2021;

2)           “Development of a Volunteers Strategy” be added to the agenda for the next meeting scheduled for 17 March 2021.