The Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director Families and Wellbeing which detailed the Quarter 3 (October – December 2015) performance against delivery of the Families and Wellbeing Directorate Plan. The performance report was attached as Appendix 1 and set out progress against a suite of agreed key performance indicators.

In relation to the performance indicator regarding the rate of referrals to Children’s Social Care, the Director of Children’s Services indicated that the rates of referrals were showing a significant decrease. Incoming work is responded to by social work staff, and partners, based in the MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) and this work was being monitored to ensure that the right children were being referred and responded to appropriately.

In relation to the services provided for opiate users, the Director of Public Health indicated that a new service provider had launched a new service in February 2016 and she would be monitoring them and working with them closely to ensure that the service was a success. 

In response to concerns raised regarding the delayed transfer of care the Director of Adult Social Services indicated that the number of lost days spiked dramatically in October but adequate safeguards had now been put in place.

It was further highlighted that the Wirral Community NHS Trust were working on a piece of work funded by the Better Care Fund regarding admission prevention, i.e. people in crisis unnecessarily presenting at hospital. Demand was consistently increasing and there was a need for officers to work together with Primary Care and the Care Homes in relation to those services that could be managed within the Community.

In relation to the Family Intervention Service, the Director of Children Services indicated that current performance indicated that the Year End target would be reached and performance in this area would be rated as ‘Green’.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.