Agenda item

(a)

Councillor Graham Hinchey, Cabinet Member – Children & Families, will be invited to make a statement. Sarah McGill, Corporate Director - People and Communities, and Angela Bourge, Operational Manager - Strategy, Performance and Resource, will be available to give a presentation and to answer Members’ questions;

(b)

Questions by members of the Committee;

(c)

The way forward will be considered at the end of the meeting

Alignment with Crosslands / part of regulated services provision with same Rl

Greater control over quality of service

A single case-management record system for Ty Storrie

Expected improvement to recruitment and retention of staff

Access to the Council’s extensive social care training calendar to support staff development

Stream-line approach to building management

Provides the Council with greater flexibility to review the model of care in the future in order to maximise usage and meet changing needs.

Members noted that the manager at Crosslands is actively involved and will play a key role in registering the home for the council.   Advice is also being provided and guidance on staffing issues. 

The intention is to appoint a new Registered Manager at Ty Storrie, but that the manager at Crosslands will be working closely with the new Registered Manager.

Members asked for clarification as to how we are better placed in terms of staffing that a full tender and were advised that whilst the providers have worked hard to address concerns about staffing those have continued, in particular the post of Registered Manager has been vacant for some time.  Those on-going staffing issues have impacted on stability, unlike Crosslands where there is an experienced staff group, they have demonstrated their ability to recruit and retain good staff.

Members referenced the contribution of £100,00 from UHB and whether that funding will remain in place.  Officers advised that UHB funding is still an issue, and will remain so whoever operates the home.

Members queried why Ty Storrie has been operating under capacity, bearing in mind there are 8 beds and were advised that initially 4 beds were to be used to deliver Cardiff Short Stay Breaks and that UHB nurses would use 4 beds a few nights a week as part of plans to integrate services however, the needs of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have changed in terms of increased need and complexity can no longer be met. 

Members wanted clarification of whether the fee received was dependant on how many young people stayed at Ty Storrie.  Officers advised that there was a complicated formula, but effectively the Council buys bed nights/overnight stays.  In previous years the fee was paid and they did not deliver, however, that was not the case in 2017-18. It was value for money that was the issue as opposed to being substantially under contract.

Members noted that despite there being a risk of initial disharmony between staff transferring under TUPE has opposed to staff recruited on the Councils salary scales Officers were satisfied that it could be managed, it is always an issue when staff are transferred under TUPE.  On the whole staff at Ty Storrie believe that this transfer is advantageous; they are committed to the home.

Members noted that there had been consultation with the children and young people and parents to ensure that they are aware that the same level of care will be provided and that a lot of the same staff will remain.  There have been engagement sessions and the clear message is that parents see overnight respite as a last resort, they want support to do things together as a family.

Members asked about the percentage of children eligible to access the services and were advised there would be no waiting list as such, Ty Storrie will be the first point of contact, but consideration has to be given to whether the child’s needs be catered for when considering those already receiving the service.