Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

No disclosures of interest were made.

No declarations were made.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting(s) and agree as an accurate record.

The Panel agreed the minutes of the meeting on 25 May 2021 as an accurate record of the meeting.

Questions must be submitted in writing, no later than noon on the

working day prior to the meeting. Questions must relate to items on

the agenda. Questions will be dealt with in a 10-minute period.

No questions were submitted.

Nichola Rogers, Regional Adoption Manager, Western Bay Adoption Service

Nichola Rogers, Regional Adoption Manager for Western Bay Adoption Service attended to update the Panel on the work of the service and review of its performance in 2020-21.

Discussion Points:

·         2020 was a difficult year for the service.  It adopted a business as usual approach via virtual means and the service was able to maintain performance despite the pandemic.

·         There was a reduction in the number of children being referred for placement in Swansea in 2020-21.

·         The service has four key priorities in 2021-22.

·         Panel queried how many children are currently available for adoption in Swansea.  How may adoptive parents are in place and if children waiting for adoption are in foster care.  Informed the service is currently matching for four children.  At the end of April 2021 there were 15 sets of adoptive parents in place and at the moment there are some adopters waiting but this changes from month to month.  If no adopters are available, the service will go back and consider if long term fostering is the right plan.  It is an improving position.

·         Panel felt the figures in the report showed lots of stability.  Officers confirmed that Western Bay is currently well placed for placements.  The service does not just rely on local adopters; they have a wider pool.

·         The impact of the pandemic on numbers is currently unknown as it may take time to come through the system.  The service is monitoring this.

·         Panel mentioned an article that said we are too quick to put children up for adoption (not necessarily in Swansea).  Officers confirmed the three authorities have looked at safe LAC reduction and good practice.  In Swansea, there was a reduction in the number of children having a placement order in the last year.

·         Panel queried why some children from Swansea had been placed in England.  Informed for some children, in larger sibling groups, some with additional needs, there were no adopters locally.  The complexity of children coming through the system does not match the number of adopters available who will take on these children. 

·         Panel noted no disruptions were recorded last year and queried if the service is satisfied that there are no problems occurring where there needs to be disruption.  Officers confirmed there were some matches that did not proceed, but no disruptions once a child was placed. 

·         Panel wanted to know if the Life Journey work has improved.  Informed a Life Journey Worker was appointed to help improve Life Journey work and there has been improvement.

·         Panel feels it is a very positive report, the best they have seen for some time and thanked Nichola and the staff for all their hard work.

Julie Davies, Head of Child and Family Services

Julie Davies, Head of Child and Family Services provided initial feedback on the CIW Assurance visit in relation to Child and Family Services.

The visit took place virtually in the week commencing 07 June 2021.

Discussion Points:

·         The visit focussed on two things:

1.    How well the LA discharges its statutory duties

2.    How well the LA prevents the need for children to come into care

·         There were four priority areas – People-voice and control; Prevention; Well Being; Partnerships.

·         CIW chose five cases, selected randomly, to look at.

·         Head of Service believes CIW felt assured that the LA knows its service well and that nothing needed escalating. 

·         Panel felt one of the positives in the initial feedback is the high profile of managers.  Historically this was not the case. 

·         Panel felt there was very little criticism for what the LA has been doing and that the initial feedback was very good. Panel looks forward to seeing detailed report at the next Panel meeting in August. 

The Convener stated it had been a difficult year for scrutiny as it had been a difficult year for Social Services management and staff.  Not as many panel meetings were held last year and three of the meetings were joint Adult Services and Child and Family Services Panel meetings, to receive updates on dealing with the pandemic.

Discussion Points:

·         The Panel felt that the last year had shown us that a good way forward is for topics of relevance to both Panels to go to one Panel, with members of the other Panel invited to attend, rather than the item going to both panels.  This reduces the strain on officer’s time.

·         Panel raised the issue of children’s homes in Swansea going through planning.  Cabinet Member confirmed that members of the Planning Committee are in a difficult position as it is a planning issue and they cannot take into account the opinions of the Social Services directorate. 

·         In terms of the draft work programme for 2021-22 the Panel mentioned the importance of looking at when cases get closed in the performance report, and requested to see some practical examples.  Head of Service suggested the Panel see videos on ‘Appreciative Inquiry’ from time to time at panel meetings.  Panel agreed the HOS should seek consent to show a video to the Panel and agree a suitable panel meeting date in the near future. 

Actions:

·         Video on ‘Appreciative Inquiry’ to be added to work programme.