Agenda item

To receive an update on planning and progress of the Family drug & Alcohol Court.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Graham Hinchey (Cabinet Member for Children and Families), Sarah McGill (Corporate Director, People and Communities), Deborah Driffield (Director, Children’s Services) Natasha Hidderley (Operational Manager, Specialist Services) and Vicki Morris (Deputy Director, Centre for Justice Innovation) to the meeting.

Councillor Hinchey was invited to make a statement in which he referred to the high profile and innovative nature of the Family Drug and Alcohol Court.

Members were provided with a detailed presentation by both Vicki Morris and Natasha Hidderley, during which they provided an overview of the project and plans and progress to date.

Members were asked to comment or raise questions on the information received.  Those discussions are summarised as follows:

·         Members commended Officers on the project and presentation and expressed a desire to be advised on progress at a future date.

·         Members were advised that the project was a pilot for Wales and would have a high profile. It would be advisable to study data from authorities in England for purposes of comparison and to benchmark any success.

·         Members were interested in how the project team had gathered information and from what sources. Members were advised that a call had been made on the expertise of the team in the Social Innovation Centre to understand who it was necessary to engage with. There has been a commitment across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to collaborate. The Steering Group has required commitment and involved many conversations. Having the IFST process has allowed the process to progress more quickly than in England. Close collaboration with Welsh Government, Elected Members and key partners in Directorates has allowed the formulation of a Working Group with will, passion and drive.

·         Members were advised that the project was a model for what the Council would like to achieve across Children’s Services and a vehicle for changing and improving services. It would not have been possible without IFST or the work and commitment of Officers and members of the team who have performed exceptionally. The Court will greatly improve the experience of families.

·         Members were advised that cultural change was always difficult to achieve but it was very rewarding when it was. Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan had worked together particularly well and the judiciary had also been supportive. It was helpful that members of the project team had already achieved similar outcomes. A great deal had been learned that could be taken back to England.

RESOLVED:

That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations during the way forward.