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Agenda item

Children's Services Performance Management Information - Quarter 1 Report

To consider and review the Children’s Service’s performance data and management actions for the first quarter of this year.

 

Minutes:

The Chairperson welcomed Claire Marchant Director of Social Services and Irfan Alam Assistant Director Children’s Services to the meeting.

 

Members were provided with a presentation on Children’s Services Quarter One Performance after which the Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members.

 

Members asked how many places would be available in the five new children’s homes.  Officers advised that there would be approximately 20 places available for children who are currently in residential placements, some out of county.  It was noted that there would be no more than five beds per home.  The Director added that they are working on a commissioning strategy for Looked After Children in tandem to look at provision going forward, including provision types, short term/crisis and step down provision towards foster care.

 

Members referred to the proportionate assessments and asked if it would be worth considering a less restrictive timescale for this group of staff.  Officers advised they had tried various options of managing the duty system but due to the volume of referrals there needs to be certain number of staff on at any one time; unless there was  reduction in demand the pressures wouldn’t change, Early Help Provision will help going forward but won’t reduce pressures straight away.

 

Members asked about staff vacancies and whether exit interviews were conducted to establish why people were leaving.  Officers advised that exit interviews are conducted and that most people are leaving due to being burnt out by the pressures of intake and assessment and child protection.  It was noted that many people move into different parts of the service where the demand is not so high.  Members asked if there was a difference in pay grade for those in the higher pressure roles and were advised there were not.

 

Members discussed Independent Fostering Agencies IFA’s and noted that the foster carers are not paid more than those working with the Council, there needed to be more encouragement to get foster carers to work with the Council and the Council needs to be as effective as a business as the IFA’s are.  Members noted that historically Cardiff had a poor reputation for fostering and the IFA’s capitalised on that and targeted Cardiff.  Members noted that there are over 20 providers based in Cardiff.  Officers explained the Scottish model whereby fostering has been not for profit provision for 15 years, so there are no organisations who are allowed to operate and make a profit, the Welsh Government are actively looking at this currently.  The Chairperson stated that he would like a cross party motion to support this.

 

Members asked about the numbers of Police referrals and whether this was helpful or whether more training was needed.  Officers explained that it was difficult as some referrals don’t need to come but they could in the future and also some just need recording.  What was needed was a joined up system that both the Council and the Police can access but that would be something for the future.

 

Members discussed the fostering market Officers explained there needed to be targeted marketing, the offer needed to be clear, there needed to be a business model and the team is committed to respond slickly; it was important that if interest was increased it could be managed.

 

Members asked what work was being done with other partners to drive intelligent referrals through Adverse Childhood Experiences ACE’s.  Officers stated that ACE’s can add to referrals as the Police prioritise ACE, it was noted that Early Help, resilience and intervention would help but currently there is nowhere else to go.

 

Members asked what support was offered to adoptive parents.  Officers advised that there is an arrangement with the Vale of Glamorgan, Merthyr and RCT adoption collaborative and a specific function for post adoption support.  The Director considered that adoption breakdown could be a KPI and that adoptive support through transitions in life needs investment.

 

Members noted that some people are put off fostering as the interview is so intense, Officers explained that Intake and Assessment needed to be robust as people need to know what is involved.

 

Members asked if there would be a price cap in relation to partnerships with the Vale of Glamorgan and were advised that fees are being looked at regionally to align fees.

 

The Chairperson advised that there would be a Task and Finish Group on Mental Health and Wellbeing for young people and asked if Children’s Services would be able to offer someone to sit on the group.  Officers advised that there would be.

 

AGREED – That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations discussed during the Way Forward.

 

Supporting documents:

 

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