The Social Care and Tackling Poverty Service Transformation Committee met on Monday 26 February 2024 to discuss short breaks for children with additional needs and the council's strategy for tackling poverty. The committee noted the Work Plan for 2023-2024 and received updates on the short breaks review and the refreshed Tackling Poverty Strategy.

Short Breaks

The committee received an update on the development of short breaks provisions for children and young people with disabilities and additional needs, and their parents and carers. Helen Williams, Principal Officer for Young People and Adolescent Services, explained that these provisions are crucial for providing respite to families and opportunities for young people. Short breaks can take various forms, including residential care through Action for Children's T-LORA service, family link placements with approved foster carers, and day services like Buddies and POPs. Direct payments are also available, offering flexibility for families to arrange support.

A key challenge identified is the increasing demand for short breaks, which has led to waiting lists. A review of the short breaks offer is underway to better understand demand, current commissioning, and potential improvements. Councillors raised questions about funding streams, the absence of a cap on short breaks per family, waiting times, and whether all families are aware of available options. Concerns were also raised about the capacity of residential provision, its value for money, and how direct payments are utilised. Officers explained that each family's needs are assessed individually, and there is no set limit on the amount of short breaks a family can receive. They also detailed the commissioning arrangements for T-LORA and the ongoing review process, which includes consultation with service users. The committee was assured that efforts are being made to be creative and flexible in providing short breaks, including the innovative use of caravans and exploring pooled direct payments. The commissioning review for T-LORA and Family Link is expected to conclude by December 2024, with a view to recommissioning by January 2025.

Councillor Lesley Walton inquired about the potential for specialist sessions at cultural institutions like galleries and museums. Officers confirmed that while some cultural venues, such as Swansea Museum, already run special programmes, this specific area has not yet been explored in depth for short breaks. The committee also discussed the importance of community inclusion and the need for clear communication about available services.

Tackling Poverty Strategy

Lee Cambule, Tackling Poverty Service Manager, presented an update on the refresh of the council's Tackling Poverty Strategy, originally published in 2017. He highlighted that the strategy aims to address the causes and effects of poverty, acknowledging it as a complex global challenge. The refresh incorporates a three-pronged approach: considering global, national, and regional priorities; defining a local ambition for Swansea; and incorporating the lived experiences of individuals affected by poverty.

A public survey conducted between August and September 2023 received over 300 responses, providing valuable insights. Key findings indicated that the current definition of poverty needed more clarity and that poverty's impacts extend beyond financial struggles to include well-being and emotional health. The most significant impacts identified by respondents were help with fuel and energy costs (49%), finances (40%), and emotional and relationship impacts (37%). Top priorities for action included improving access to affordable, safe, and secure homes (97%) and tackling homelessness (96%), along with improving access to services and information.

Seven emerging key priorities for the strategy have been identified: Digital Inclusion, Community Support, Information, Advice and Guidance, Stigma and Discrimination, Child Poverty, Homelessness, and Health and Wellbeing. The strategy will adopt an everyone's business approach, emphasising collaboration beyond the council. It will be published in three editions: a detailed version for partners, a summary edition, and an easy-read version. The strategy will be built around the concept of a journey, detailing characteristics, approaches, and pathways to help individuals understand and navigate their way out of poverty. The action plan will be co-produced with people who have lived experience, and a public consultation will be undertaken.

Councillors discussed the importance of language in reducing stigma, with Councillor Lesley Walton expressing gratitude for the avoidance of terms like rich and poor. The digital inclusion agenda was also discussed, with an acknowledgement that while increasing access is vital, provisions must also cater for those who cannot or will not use digital technologies. Councillor Allan Jeffery suggested the council should take a leading role in supporting informal drop-in centres for those struggling with poverty, offering meals and a space to express concerns. Officers agreed that the council has a significant role to play and that preventative work through community hubs and local area coordination is already addressing some of these needs. The concept of journey in relation to poverty was clarified as a way to help individuals understand the steps needed to escape or mitigate poverty and to structure services accordingly. The future of local area coordination roles was confirmed as safe within the strategy, with further consultation planned.

Work Plan 2023-2024

The committee noted the Work Plan for 2023-2024. The next meeting was scheduled for 8 April 2024, with an update on the Enabling Communities Grant to be presented by Jane Whitmore and Mark Gosney.