The Social Care & Tackling Poverty Service Transformation Committee met on Monday 14 September 2026 to discuss assistive technology, sensory support, community equipment, and children's emotional wellbeing. The committee received the minutes from the previous meeting for information and noted the work plan for 2026-2027.

Assistive Technology, Sensory Support, and Community Equipment

The committee received an update on the vital services provided by the Assistive Technology, Sensory Support, and Community Equipment teams. These services are central to the council's vision of prevention and promoting independence, helping residents to live safely and well in their own homes.

Councillor H J Gwilliam highlighted the significant positive impact these services have on residents' lives, noting the long-standing dedication of staff within these teams. Lucy Friday, Principal Officer for Transformation, explained how assistive technology, including the Smart Suite at Surequip Community Services, allows individuals to experience technology like smart speakers, voice-activated devices, and smart lighting in a realistic home environment. This technology aims to improve safety, confidence, and independence, and has also been used to train over 130 staff members in the past year. A similar demonstration home is being developed at Bonymaen Wardens House to assist individuals preparing to return home from reablement.

The report also detailed the Just Checking service, which uses discreet sensors to monitor activity patterns and inform care planning, and AskSARA, an online self-assessment tool providing recommendations for equipment and support. The Community Equipment Service delivered nearly 42,000 items of equipment in the last year, supporting over 67,000 residents. A notable achievement is the service's 82% recycling rate for returned equipment. Glynis Williams, Social Work Team Lead, presented on the Sensory Support Team, which assists adults with sight loss, hearing loss, or deafblindness. The team offers information, advice, and specialist rehabilitation, including mobility training and IT support, and also fulfils the council's statutory responsibility for sensory impairment registrations.

During the discussion, Councillor Patience Bentu raised concerns about digital inclusion and ensuring that assistive technology does not exclude those less confident with new devices. Lucy Friday responded that much of the technology, particularly telecare, operates independently of Wi-Fi and can use mobile SIM cards, making it accessible. She also highlighted the demonstration suites as a way to demystify technology and offer short-term loans. Councillor Mair Baker inquired about funding for 2026-2027, given the rising costs of IT and specialist equipment. Councillor Amy Hawkins explained that the council invests in prevention and early help, understanding that it delays or reduces the need for more costly managed care. She noted that the budget for the equipment store is managed through a pooled fund with the Health Board and that the council constantly reviews commissioning frameworks for best value. The committee also discussed the importance of ongoing maintenance and servicing of equipment, with Lucy Friday confirming that this is a key area of demand and that the service adheres to safety standards. Councillor Rebecca Francis-Davies asked about monitoring the usage of technology provided, and it was confirmed that routine testing is conducted for telecare equipment, and this forms part of annual reviews. The committee expressed interest in arranging a visit to the Surequip Community Services centre and the Bonymaen demonstration home.

Children's Emotional Wellbeing - No Wrong Door

The committee received an update on the No Wrong Door initiative, a regional project aimed at improving access to emotional wellbeing and mental health support for children and young people across Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. Gavin Evans, Principal Officer for Family Support Services, explained that the current referral system is fragmented and confusing for families and professionals, often leading to long waiting lists and delayed support.

The No Wrong Door approach, inspired by the Children's Commissioner for Wales' report, seeks to establish a single point of access, initially within the existing front door arrangements of local authorities, with referrals being managed by a Lead Regional Senior Coordinator and local coordinators. This model has been agreed in principle by regional partners, and funding has been secured for a coordinator post. Key achievements include the establishment of a multi-agency delivery group, system mapping, and the development of a regional data collection approach. A pilot is being developed to test a referral pathway through specific GP clusters into the No Wrong Door front door, aiming to reduce duplication and ensure children and young people are directed to the most appropriate support first time.

Councillor Rebecca Francis-Davies asked about the timeline for the pilot and the number of children waiting for support. Gavin Evans indicated that the pilot phase is expected to begin around April, with a wider rollout anticipated by mid-next year. He noted that it is difficult to provide an exact figure for waiting lists due to the fragmented nature of current services. Councillor Patience Bentu sought assurance that the new service would prevent children from simply ending up on another waiting list if immediate intervention is not available. Gavin Evans clarified that the initiative aims to improve access and navigation to existing services, but acknowledged that resourcing challenges in those services may still exist. He added that the SPACE model in Gwent has shown success in reducing duplication and improving earlier access to support. Councillor Mair Baker inquired about the No Wrong Door initiative in her local area, and Gavin Evans confirmed awareness of similar work and highlighted the project's aim to improve access to specialist services like CAMHS. Councillor Rebecca Francis-Davies raised concerns about the transition of support for children moving from primary to secondary school, and it was explained that while this specific project does not directly address school transitions, the data gathered will be shared with education colleagues. The committee also discussed the project's connection with university research and confirmed that the upper age limit for the initiative is 18. Councillor Lesley Walton emphasized the importance of ensuring all avenues are used to inform people about available services and that needs are assessed on an individual basis. The committee also discussed the potential for improved data sharing between different organisations' computer systems. The coordinator post is currently funded by the Regional Investment Fund on a year-on-year basis.

Work Plan 2026-2027

The committee noted the work plan for 2026-2027. The next meeting is scheduled for 26 October 2026, with planned discussions on Dyfatty Junction, the Tackling Poverty Strategy & Action Plan, and Benefit Update Promotion.