To provide an update to scrutiny on the progress made in respect of the findings from the task and finish group report on ‘Short breaks and respite services for children with disabilities’

The vice-chairman, as chair of the task and finish group, introduced this update on progress to date for identifying further requirements or actions. He reminded the committee that this encompassed the short breaks service as a whole, of which 1 Ledbury Road was a part. An outcome of the review was the allocation of additional funding of just over £1million. The service is in a better place than a year ago, thanks to officers’ work, although there was more to achieve. 

The assistant director education and commissioning provided an update on the recommendations taken forward. The whole of the short breaks offer was undergoing recommissioning. The development of overnight short break respite in a family setting was progressing; three foster carers had been approved for short breaks, and a number were in process of application and assessment.  One child had been matched and others were in progress.

The registration documentation was being submitted this week to Ofsted by Wye Valley NHS Trust.

A member welcomed the positive update and that concerns were being addressed. She noted the importance of communication in restoring confidence in the service and that the council and partners must take care to avoid such problems in the future.     

Disappointment was noted regarding the breakdown in communication over rotas which led to families having to change arrangements, and it was hoped this was now addressed. 

A member commented on recent contact from a family regarding ongoing problems with rotas, noting that children using the service did not always respond well to change, and this could have an impact on their family.  She added that partnership working needed collective working and good communication, and this should have been understood in a small but hugely important service to the families who relied on it.   The member welcomed progress on the fostering service, adding that those carers needed appropriate support to ensure they were retained.

The assistant director commissioning and education acknowledged members’ comments regarding communication and offered to look into any individual concerns. He added that there were now more options available for families with the core aim of the service being able to meet assessed need.

Commenting on buddying arrangements, a member gave an example of numerous changes in buddies for one young person which led the family to consider alternative arrangements despite this taking time to achieve with possible adverse impact on the family.

In response the assistant director education and commissioning asked for the specific details so that these could be followed up.

A member commented on the range of providers referred to in the report, and that there needed to be firmer information on these to ensure they were concrete and met need.  

The assistant director education and commissioning confirmed that colleagues in both children’s and adults’ services were working together to identify options for housing, supporting transitions into adult life and short breaks to ensure a rigorous approach.

A member requested more assurance on maintaining communication with families and for funding to be supported to ensure confidence in commissioning and stability for the service over the next few years.

In response, the cabinet member for young people and children’s wellbeing commented that the report highlighted the complexity of making necessary changes to service provision and the achievement of officers was appreciated. It was good to see that there was better engagement with families and improvements in communications to ensure the best choices were provided for children needing the services.   He acknowledged that the issue of rotas had not been easy to overcome but there was a lot of choice on offer. Staff were working hard to ensure that needs were being addressed within available resources.  Comments from members were welcomed to ensure the service was reviewed.

Councillor PE Crockett, having declared a disclosable pecuniary interest as an employee of Wye Valley NHS Trust, commented on the positive nature of the report and added that the task and finish group would continue to support this work and raise any further concerns with the committee.

The vice-chairman supported this comment.  He confirmed that members of the task and finish group would continue to monitor the situation and would work to ensure children had the service provision they deserved.

RESOLVED

That progress to date be noted and for ongoing monitoring to inform any future recommendations for further action.