Eitem Agenda

This Report enables the Committee to review and assess the performance of Children’s Services across a number of key performance indicators.

(a)  Tony Young (Director Social Services) will introduce the briefing and be available to answer questions;

(b)  Questions from Committee Members;

(c)   The way forward for this item will be considered at the end of the meeting.

The Chairperson welcomed Councillor Lent (Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Families, and Deputy Leader) and Tony Young (Director Social Services) to the meeting.

The Chairperson invited the Cabinet Member to make a statement in which she explained that the overall performance in Quarter 3 was good, in particular in relation to the implementation of MASH and the Single Gateway for young people. 

The Director advised that local authorities must introduce a new set of performance measures a s a result of the implementation of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.

The full year outturn performance for 2015/16 will be reported in September, Members were advised that it is anticipated that the outturn will be satisfactory, better in most areas, if not all.

There has been some slippage in progress, the Child Sexual Exploitation and Corporate Parenting Strategies are to be considered by Cabinet in May.  

The Chairperson thanked Officers for the briefing and invited questions and comments from Members.

• Members queried the need to recruit Agency Staff to aid the improvement in performance in Intake and Assessment and were advised that agency staff have been recruited to cover the period between the loss and reappointment of Social Workers. Officers advised Members that:

a)    Information obtained as a result of a Freedom of Information Request dated 27.01.16 indicated that 48 out of 124 and 7 out of 124  Social Worker posts were filled by agency staff in Children’s Services and Adult Services respectively. 

b)    That figure has reduced because of the ongoing recruitment.  Currently there are 6 posts filled by agency staff.

c)    There will be an element of over recruitment once the full complement of Social Workers has been reached as there is also the pool of Social Workers which will allow for the turnover of staff and any delays in the recruitment process. 

• Members asked whether there had been any review of the difficulties faced in advertising and recruitment and were advised that there had been a review of the recruitment process and that it was currently as short as it could be.  Delays can arise for a number of reasons, and often because of the Disclosure and Barring Service checks or notice periods.  Certainly, managers are advised to start the recruitment process as soon as possible. 

• Members noted the that the figures showed a reduction in staffing levels, and that it appeared to be a recurring theme.  Members queried whether the level of turnover of staff and sickness absences were due to pressures of work.  Officers advised that this would be reported on in due course, but did not believe that moral was an issue in the retention of staff, however it was accepted that a shift in moral can take place very quickly.

• Members were advised that sickness is a global problem and not just confined to Social Workers.  The figures could also be inflated due to the make-up of the work force, for example a young female workforce with maternity leave/absence. 

• Officers are aware that the workload, by its nature, can be stressful and they work hard to mitigate the stress and support staff.

• Officers advised that the agency spend was off set against current vacancies.

• Members questioned the creation of a new post for a Quality Assurance Officer and were advised that it was a post that was created within the existing budget and necessary to monitor compliance in accordance with the Framework.

• Members asked about the recruitment of personal advisors and were advised that the recruitment campaign was still on going, however, recruitment was difficult bearing in mind the specialist nature of the work.  At the present time 3 posts are being filled by agency staff.  

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