Agenda and minutes

[The Chair to welcome everyone to the meeting. The Scrutiny Officer will then read out a list of those invited to the meeting to confirm who is in attendance.]

Cllr Val Evans, Chair, welcomed everyone to the meeting and advised it was being live streamed to the press and public. A recording of the meeting would be available for viewing on the Council’s website at a future date.

[The Chair will explain how the meeting will proceed, how questions are to be asked and any matters of meeting etiquette.]

Cllr Evans explained the protocol to be followed during the meeting for asking questions.

No apologies

No declarations of interest

[To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2023 as a correct record]

Minutes of Meeting 17 January 2023 were approved as correct.

[To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2023 as a correct record]. 

Minutes of the meeting 8 February 2023 approved as correct.

[Courtney Abbott, Quality and Improvement Advanced Practitioner, to present report]

The Quality and Improvement Advanced Practitioner began the presentation titled 2022 Social Work and Workforce Healthcare Checks – Adult Services (A copy of the presentation is attached to the signed minutes).  A background and progress report was given, the Quality and Improvement Advanced Practitioner informed the Panel that response rates had been lower in 2022 than 2021 despite efforts to address this; the feedback received however displayed positive improvements in all areas, these included Improvement in quality and frequency of supervision in 2022 since 2021, significantly improved satisfaction with learning and development opportunities, more feel that they are / would be consulted and involved in proposed changes and are happy with communication between senior managers and frontline workers.  Workforce feedback statistics showed low levels of stress, supportive management, good communication, a desire to tackle discrimination and satisfaction with working practices. 

The Quality and Improvement Advanced Practitioner listed key actions for continuing improvement, these were:
• Improving response rates – e.g. consultation, exploring incentives, Teams channel, protected time, “you said…we did” and regular updates
• Adults redesign and identifying “quick wins” and immediate actions to support workloads, reduce stress levels and better manage demand
 • Recruitment and retention activity – rebranding, benchmarking pay/incentives, progression opportunities, supporting routes into social work
 • Develop research circles with University of Wolverhampton to support research mindedness
 • Explore the impact and use regionally of clinical supervision and/or consider the use of trauma informed supervision training to support wellbeing.

The Quality and Improvement Practitioner read out some qualitative research statements from employees who expressed positive views in line with the feedback presented.

A Councillor raised concerns around the learning and development culture policies within the service, citing the data during the Covid-19 Pandemic era. The Councillor wanted to know what the Council wanted from employees when it offered high calibre educational opportunities, as it was difficult for them to monitor and report the value of it.

The Principle Social Worker answered that the forms of research that occurred within the workplace would help with improving services and managing resources. Working in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton meant that colleagues would have access to research journals and other costly resources which they otherwise wouldn’t. This enabled working colleagues to practice research on the job and bring the relationship between research and practice together closer within the service.

The Councillor asked if employees were legally required to prove their skills and knowledge were up to date. The Principle Social Worker replied explaining this was a requirement and that the Council care sector had to provide data evidence that continuous colleague training was being undertaken and that results were adequate. The Councillor felt this further highlighted the importance of the partnership with the University of Wolverhampton.

The Vice-Chair praised the theme that colleagues said they were proud to work for the service. She then asked what was being done to address the lower levels of participation in the survey and also highlighted the 83% of staff who said  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

[Andrew Wolverson, Deputy Director - Commissioning & Transformation, to present report]

The Director of Adult Care Services informed the Panel that the option the Scrutiny Panel recommended was adopted by the Cabinet subsequently and was well received.