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The committee scrutinised two reports on child protection and on delayed discharges from hospital. On child protection, it agreed to refer the action plan to the Governance and Audit Committee. On hospital discharge, it agreed to do the same with the Audit Wales report.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dave Jones, Gail Jones, Kay Redhead, Austin Roberts and Charlie McCoubrey (Leader).
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Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 23 October 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the previous meeting of the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 23 October 2024 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 23 October 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the forward work programme for the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined forward work programme be approved.
The Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer presented the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee forward work programme (FWP), together with the combined FWP. Members were advised that an informal joint scrutiny committee with Denbighshire County Council had been organised for 18/03/2025, when it would be an opportunity to scrutinise the progress made following the inspection of the Conwy and Denbighshire Youth Justice Service. RESOLVED- That the forward work programme for the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined forward work programme be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee refer the Rapid Review of Child Protection Interim Arrangements report and action plan to the Governance and Audit Committee, to provide assurance that the content has been acknowledged and that proactive steps have been made to address the recommendations included within the report.
The Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Safeguarding presented Members with the Care Inspectorate Wales’ (CIW) report, following a rapid review of child protection arrangements in Wales. The Service Manager (Quality Standards and Commissioning) highlighted the key points from the report and the resulting action plan, which detailed the progress made in response to the review. In line with the Council’s resolution, Members scrutinised the effectiveness of the actions put in place and discussion took place on the following: • Officers provided examples of specific actions that had been undertaken to respond to the recommendations, which included: progress made on embedding the Effective Child Protection Model; training and development and multi-agency briefing sessions. • It was noted that Conwy County Borough Council was leading on national safeguarding training, with services in the Council grouped into categories to determine the level of safeguarding training required. • Information was shared with relevant partners in line with the safeguarding thresholds and procedures. • Whilst GPs were invited to attend child protection conferences, they did not normally attend; however, they would send a report as required. • It was noted that child protection conferences were held on a hybrid basis, with the Chair, parents, officers and social workers usually attending in person and partner agencies attending virtually. • Whilst it was the role of the Governance and Audit Committee to monitor the implementation of the action plan, it was suggested that a specific presentation on the child protection process be provided at a future meeting of the Member Development and Information Forum. • The importance of the Strengthening Families Team in providing support to parents. • Reference was made to the importance of supporting parents through the child protection process and having independent legal representation. • Consent of the child in certain situations. RESOLVED: That the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee refer the Rapid Review of Child Protection Interim Arrangements report and action plan to the Governance and Audit Committee, to provide assurance that the content has been acknowledged and that proactive steps have been made to address the recommendations included within the report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee refer the Audit Wales report - Urgent and Emergency Care: Flow out of Hospital (North Wales Region) and action plan to the Governance and Audit Committee, to provide assurance that the content has been acknowledged and that proactive steps have been made to address the recommendations included within the report.
The Cabinet Member for Integrated Adult and Community Services presented Members with the Audit Wales report – Urgent and Emergency Care: Flow out of Hospital. The Service Manager (Quality Standards and Commissioning) highlighted the key points from the report and the resulting action plan, which was aimed at the North Wales region and included the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) and the six local authorities. It was noted that Audit Wales found that while partners understood and showed commitment to improving patient flow out of hospital, performance remained extremely challenging, with adverse effects for patient experience and care. In line with the Council’s resolution, Members scrutinised the effectiveness of the actions put in place and discussion took place on the following: • It was acknowledged that relationships with the BCUHB were improving, and that weekly meetings were held with all the hospitals to discuss patient discharges. It was noted that issues remained in relation to specific assessments. • Whilst hospital discharges were the priority this did impact on costs to the authority, as care packages were engaged earlier and additional pressure put on community services, due to limited capacity. • The importance of the extra care housing facilities and the reablement team was acknowledged. • The need for investment in the health service with the right number of practitioners was highlighted. • Variability of services received, particularly for the vulnerable in our society. RESOLVED: That the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee refer the Audit Wales report - Urgent and Emergency Care: Flow out of Hospital (North Wales Region) and action plan to the Governance and Audit Committee, to provide assurance that the content has been acknowledged and that proactive steps have been made to address the recommendations included within the report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following item as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
RESOLVED- That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following item as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
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