To receive apologies for absence from Members of the Committee

73.1    Apologies for absence were received from Sian Lines (Hereford Diocese)

Members are reminded they must not participate in the discussion or vote on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

74.1    There were no declarations of pecuniary interest

74.2    Councillor Ruth Houghton advised the Committee that she was the trustee of a charity which provided services to adults with learning difficulties in Shropshire.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2020, [to follow]

75.1    The Chair advised the Committee that the minutes were not available and would be considered at a future meeting of the Committee.

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 10.00am on Monday 25 January 2021

76.1    There were no public questions.

To receive any questions of which Members of the Council have given notice.

Deadline for notification: 10.00am on Monday 25 January 2021

77.1    There were no questions from Members.

Report of the Service Manager Adult Services and the Director of Children’s Services is attached

Contact   Carole Croxford, Tel: 01743 255729

     Karen Bradshaw, Tel: 01743 254201             

78.1    Members received the report of the Service Manager Adult Services and the Director of Children’s Services which provided an overview of how the Council identified children and young people who may continue to need some social support once they reach adulthood, ensured a steady transition to adult social care services, and provided life skills to children and young people as they leave care.

78.2    Members were advised of two pilot projects that the Council was taking part in:

a)    Pilot Project – Disabled Children’s Team and Preparing for Adulthood Team (PFA)

·         looking at how the Council can prepare young people with SEND for adulthood at an earlier stage in their life

·         Looking at ways to improve joint working between children’s and adult services and other partner organisations

·         Looking at ways of identifying and overcoming barriers to a positive transition

·         Looking at different models of service delivery

b)    Pilot Project – Case Management and PFA

·         Project centred around children with issues with their mental health looking at similar topics as the previous case study.

78.3    Members were advised that the PFA team were also looking at the way they worked going forward, adapting best practice from other councils and the results of the pilots.

78.4    In response to a question regarding workload, Members were advised that this varies from year to year but that the number was increasing due to the fact that teams were starting to work with different age ranges.

78.5    In response to a question regarding how different departments were working together, Members were advised that collaboration between partners was much better but that it was continually assessed and there was constant dialogue in order that the best outcomes were achieved.

78.6    In response to a question regarding support for employment, Members were advised that officers worked closely with Enable and also the colleges to identify opportunities, and that prior to the Covid pandemic work had been carried out within Council departments to identify potential work experience opportunities.

78.7    In response to a question, members were advised that best practice was shared through various network and also using the experience of social workers that had worked for other authorities

78.8    Members thanked Officers for the presentation and for all the work that was being done.

78.9    RESOLVED:

            That the People Overview Committee: -

-       Notes the work of the Preparing for Adulthood team in supporting young people.

-       Request that a report setting out the findings of the 2 pilot projects be brought to a future meeting of the Committee.

Report of Housing Services Manager attached

Contact Laura Fisher  Tel: 01743 258981

79.1    Members received the report of the Housing Services Manager which set out the current work being undertaken by Housing Services regarding children and young people who were in housing need.

79.2    Members were advised that following a previous scrutiny meeting where it had been recognised that there was need for dedicated support for young people in housing need, a full time Children and Young Person Coordinator had been appointed whose role was to work with all individuals who come through the service who are aged16 to 25 years of age, many of whom were also supported by Shropshire Council’s Leaving Care Team, and that this support covered a range of tasks included support in joining Shropshire HomePoint, assistance with supports/semi supported living and assistance with accessing Discretionary Housing Payments and other support.

79.3    In response to a question regarding the availability of suitable accommodation, the Housing Services Manager commented that there was a lack of 1-bedroom properties but the Council was working with developers and social landlords to improve this, and added that Officers attended the Social Housing Forum where this matter was discussed.

79.4    In response to a query, the Housing Services Manager agreed to update members of the number of young people currently classed as homeless.

79.5    In response to a question the Housing Services Manager confirmed that the recommendations made at the meeting of the Scrutiny Panel on 18 July 2018 had been implemented.

79.6    The Chair thanks Officers for their presentation.

79.7    RESOLVED: 

             That the People Overview Committee:

·         Notes the work of the council in supporting young people to move into suitable accommodation

·         Receives an update on the supply of one bed housing at a future meeting

The report of the Scrutiny Officer is attached

Contact: Danial Webb Tel: 01743 258509

80.1    Members received the report of the Scrutiny Officer which set out the People Overview Committee’s proposed work programme until May 2021.

80.2    Members confirmed that they wished the item on short breaks for respite care to cover all services that were available.

80.3    Members confirmed that they wished the item on drug and alcohol services to cover the services provided to adults too, rather than just covering those services for young people.

80.4    RESOLVED:

            That the Committee

·         agree the proposed committee work programme attached as appendix 1 subject to the points raised.

·         note the current task and finish groups attached as appendix 2

The Chair advised that the exempt minutes would be brought to a future meeting of the Committee

To consider a resolution under paragraph 10.2 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules that the proceedings of the Committee in relation to the following agenda Items shall not be conducted in public on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by the categories specified against them.

To consider the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 30th September 2020. [To follow]