Councillor Roberts indicated that she would be chairing this meeting as Councillor McLaughlin was with her daughter who had recently given birth.

Councillor Roberts further indicated that item 5 – Traded Services – Proposed Changes to Service Delivery would be taken as the first item of business on the agenda.

RESOLVED:

That the best wishes and congratulations of the Committee be conveyed to Councillor McLaughlin on the birth of her granddaughter.

Members are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

Members are reminded that they should also declare whether they are subject to a party whip in connection with any item(s) to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement.

Councillor Hornby declared a personal interest by virtue of his appointment as a trustee/Director of the Voluntary and Community Action Wirral.

Councillor Roberts declared a personal interest by virtue of her appointment on the Management Committees of Arch Initiatives and Wirral Council for Voluntary Service.

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the last meeting of the Families and Wellbeing Policy and Performance Committee held on 3 November 2014.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Families and Wellbeing Policy and Performance Committee held on 3 November 2014 be approved.

To receive a verbal presentation from the Strategic Director Families and Wellbeing and the Director of Children’s Services.

The Committee considered a joint presentation from the Strategic Director Families and Wellbeing and the Director of Childrens Services in relation to the proposed changes to service delivery of traded services.

The Strategic Director Families and Wellbeing and the Director of Children’s Services gave an overview of the ambition which was to ensure that schools continue to have access to a high quality, value for money services that will support attainment; changing landscape- why we need change; options; the journey so far; key features of the model and the next steps.

In response to Members, the Strategic Director, Families and Wellbeing and the Director of Children’s Services explained that the work was further supported by the Cabinet Office, Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG), SOLACE and the Local Government Association (LGA) through an award as part of the national Delivering Differently Programme. The award comprised of £100K worth of bespoke consultancy support. They reiterated that private companies would not be involved in the final model and that Wirral and Cheshire West and Chester would be 50/50 shareholders.

Further to Members Comments and questions the Director of Children’s Services explained that the reason for choosing to join with Cheshire West and Chester and not another neighbouring authority was that Wirral had a good relationship from which to build on and there was a mutual trust.  In addition, some children attend Cheshire West and Chester schools.

In relation to the transferring of staff, staff would be TUPEd over with the same terms and conditions; further work was to be done on finalising the details on this.

The Director of Children’s Services indicated that traded services would start from the 1^st April starting with the appointment of the Chief Executive. 

In response to concerns raised by a Member regarding staff TUPE’d over from the Council, the Strategic Director Children and Families indicated stress testing and risk sharing analysis had been undertaken by officers to ensure its sustainability. Detailed financial modelling had also been undertaken to ensure the company is financially viable.

The Director of Childrens Services indicated that the new company would allow the department to become more responsive to schools needs; she indicated that the Council had a good strong basis and ethos which would be replicated in the new company.

The Director of Childrens Services indicated that consultation had been undertaken with head teachers, governors, schools forum, WASH at various meetings, three newsletters had been sent out to staff and various meetings had been held with the trade unions and discussions had been held with head teachers at Cheshire West and Chester schools. As detailed within the Cabinet report, officers had spent a lot of time looking at the model and risks to ensure Wirral had the ‘best fit’.

In response to a Members question, the Director of Childrens Services indicated that training for governors would be provided by the new company, however, core statutory services such as education health care plans, and core subjects such as physical education  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

The Committee considered the report of the Chair of the Health and Care Performance Panel providing the feedback which arose from the meeting held on 20 October 2014.

The report indicated that the Panel had discussed and considered various reports in relation to the progress on the delivery of the recommendations arising from the Francis Scrutiny Review; quality framework and performance measures for the health and care sector in Wirral and future arrangements and work programme for the Panel.

The report concluded by outlining the summary of actions arising from the meeting.

A Member indicated that the review undertaken on the Francis report was an excellent piece of work undertaken by Members; he further commended the staff at Arrow Park Hospital for the care and medical attention his wife had received which was excellent and he commented that the attitude of the clinical staff was superb.

A Member commented that the Council needed to mindful of Wirral’s ageing population who will have complex needs and how the Council will be able to fill the gap on fewer resources.

RESOLVED:

That the Chair and Spokespersons of Families and Wellbeing Policy & Performance Committee be requested to write to the political group leaders to promote the concept of continuity of membership amongst members undertaking health scrutiny, given the length of time to develop a broad understanding of the subject.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on progress on the implementation of the recommendations made in August 2013 relating to the Scrutiny Review of Outcomes for Looked After Children. The Review obtained evidence directly from children in care and care leavers, Council officers and partners. The Review focused on raising aspirations, the role of foster carers, the social care process, post-16 support, education, 16+ employability and housing. 21 recommendations were made in total.

The report indicated that the 21 recommendations had formed a central part of the work of the Corporate Parenting Group throughout 2014 and had been formulated into the Corporate Parenting Strategy Action Plan, progress against which was detailed within the report.

The Senior Manager, Specialist Services introduced the report and indicated that the CICC(Children in Care Council) had refreshed the Promise which was signed up to by the Corporate Parenting Group in September 2014, the Chief Executive would be signing this off by the end of the week.

The Senior Manager, Specialist Services further indicated that improvements had been made to services provided to 16/17 year olds declared homeless and care leavers and 19 year olds in employment and training.

It was commented that work had also been undertaken on the retention of foster carers and improvements made to the personal education plans.

 In response to a question raised by a Member in relation to the retention of social workers, it was reported that a new framework was to be introduced in the New Year, consultation had also been undertaken focusing on recruitment and retention. The Department was also looking at the possibility of a revised staffing structure.

It was reported that officers from the Department had worked with ex Ofsted team to produce an evidence based reports of the current social teams and case loads, up to 200 cases were audited and all managers had undertaken personal coaching when the cases had been signed off.

In a response to a Members comment, The Director of Children’s Services extended an invitation to Members to attend a LAC awards evening which was due to be held on 4 December at 5:00pm, Wallasey Town Hall. The event was to be introduced by a care leaver.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the Director of Childrens Services and the Senior Manager, Specialist Services be thanked for their update report; and

(2)  the Director of Children’s Services be requested to provide an update report in 12 months.

To received a verbal presentation from the Integration Programme Manager.

The report which was considered by Cabinet at its meeting held on 6 November 2014 is attached for information.

The Committee considered a verbal presentation from the Integration Programme Manager on the asset based approach to support ‘Using Social Care Resources Effectively to Transform Lives’.

The report which was considered by Cabinet at its meeting held on 6 November 2014 was appended to the agenda for information. The report informed Members that the Council faced a major challenge in meeting rising needs and new legislative requirements through the Care Act, as well as improving health and social care responsiveness and performance. It had to do this in the context of reducing resources.

The Integration Programme Manager indicated that the asset based approach was a shift from ‘can’t do’ to ‘can do’, to a focus on people’s positive attributes and potential to do for themselves; consider the support that people have available to them as opposed to the deficit approach. He indicated that the new asset based approach would ensure that people were supported only to meet assessed need in the most effective ways and focused on developing skills for independence and also included considering Assistive Technology, Self Directed Support and Re-ablement.

Consultation had been held on the proposed approach with partner agencies; feedback had been received from those who currently use services through the statutory review process and consultation undertaken with partner agencies to ensure a joined approach to the change of culture.

RESOLVED:

That Mr Tomlin be thanked for his informative presentation.

The Committee considered the report of the Chair of the Committee, updating on the progress and the activity proposed for this Committee in relation to its agreed Work Programme.

RESOLVED:

That the Work Programme be noted.