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.

Panel agreed the minutes of the meeting on 11 August 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.

Julie Davies, Head of Child and Family Services

Gemma Whyley, Transformation Programme Manager

Julie Davies, Head of Child and Family Services and Gemma Whyley, Transformation Programme Manager attended to brief the Panel on this item. 

Discussion Points:

·         Officers stated that the Service has revisited its vision. 

·         Panel felt it all sounded very exciting – freeing up staff to do the real work rather than paperwork.

·         Panel queried if the Service is starting to blur the line between senior social workers and other highly experienced staff.  Panel heard that social workers have to do certain tasks but work around that can be done by staff with alternative qualifications. 

·         Discussion took place regarding conversations with Welsh Government about the volume of information they require, for example, the new performance data that is being asked for. 

Gemma Whyley, Transformation Programme Manager

Gemma Whyley, Transformation Programme Manager and Tom Jones, Participation and Children’s Rights Officer attended to present this item, which included a video made with looked after children, the Corporate Parenting Board’s response to the video and resulting pledges by members of the Corporate Parenting Board.

Discussion Points:

·         Panel felt issues come across better when listen to children speaking for themselves.  It makes you sit up and listen.

·         Every councillor is a governor of a school and this gives them opportunity to question the Head and senior management team on what education and care is being provided for looked after children in schools.

·         Panel stated that in the past they had received information on the progress of young people, particularly in education, as part of the update from the Corporate Parenting Board.  Panel requested comparison data on the attainment of looked after children compared to others to see where they are now. 

·         Officers stated that work needs to be done on how to improve the learning opportunity for looked after children.  The pledges made by Corporate Parenting Board members have got some accountability attached.

·         Panel noted that the work of Education and Skills Policy Development Committee has a strong focus on vocational education and an alternative/appropriate curriculum.  It will be discussing what works for looked after children who do well in education.

·         Panel pleased about the good working relationship between Social Services and Education. 

Actions:

·         Data to be provided to Panel on progress of looked after children in education compared to others.

Panel considered the work programme.

Panel voted and agreed on exclusion of the public from the meeting during consideration of item 10, as it involves likely disclosure of exempt information.  Relevant paragraph of Public Interest Test is 12.

Julie Davies, Head of Child and Family Services

Kate Ronconi, Principal Social Worker

Panel discussed the item in closed session.