The Social Services Scrutiny Committee of Neath Port Talbot Council convened to discuss several key reports and strategic plans. The committee reviewed the Neurodivergence Social Services Strategic Plan, the Quality of Care Report for Foster Wales NPT, and the West Glamorgan Shared Lives Service inspection report. Additionally, they examined performance monitoring reports and business plans for various services within the council.

Neurodivergence Social Services Strategic Plan

The committee reviewed the Neath Port Talbot Social Services Strategic Action Plan for Neurodivergence (Autism and Other Conditions) 2024-2027, a plan designed to foster an inclusive culture that supports neurodivergent individuals, families, and carers. The plan sets out how Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council aims to support neurodiverse individuals and families, keeping at the forefront of our considerations the Autism Code of Practice (2021).

The Strategic Plan covers four broad themes:

• Improve understanding around neurodivergence
• Improve access to services and support for neurodivergent people
• Support the development of a training plan for the workforce
• Support accessing community services and the community as a whole.

The committee reviewed the consultation feedback and considerations, noting the overwhelmingly positive reception to the plan, with 92% positive feedback from those surveyed.

Key themes from the feedback included:

• Recognition of the broad spectrum of neurodivergence.
• Emphasis on early intervention, inclusion, training and transitions into adulthood.
• Support for dedicated neurodiversity advice hubs linking with the NHS and schools.

Areas for improvement identified in the feedback included:

• Clear timelines and targets for implementation and accountability.
• Ensuring training leads to cultural change.
• Addressing capacity and resource issues to meet increased demand.
• Greater involvement of neurodivergent individuals and families in co-production.
• Providing support for undiagnosed individuals.

Following scrutiny, members supported the recommendation outlined in the draft Cabinet report.

Quality of Care Report Foster Wales NPT 2024-2025

The committee considered the Quality of Care Report for Foster Wales Neath Port Talbot for the period of 2024/2025¹. The report is required under Regulation 52 of The Local Authority Fostering Services Regulations (Wales) 2018, which requires fostering services to establish and maintain systems for monitoring, reviewing, and improving the quality of care provided. The report provided an overview of the quality of service provided across Foster Wales Neath Port Talbot and outlined areas for further development.

The core objectives of the report included:

• Service Evaluation: Assessing placement stability, types of placements, support to foster carers, engagement with children and carers, and safeguarding practices.
• Performance Monitoring: Tracking recruitment and retention of foster carers, training and development, panel activity, and corporate parenting involvement.
• Strategic Planning: Identifying areas for development and setting out next steps, such as launching new schemes, reviewing systems, and enhancing recruitment efforts.

The report integrated feedback from children and young people, foster carers, staff, and stakeholders, aligning with the principles of co-production, voice and control, and wellbeing as outlined in the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014.

Following scrutiny, members noted the report.

Care Inspectorate Wales Inspection of West Glamorgan Shared Lives

The committee received feedback on the inspection undertaken by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW), of the West Glamorgan Shared Lives Service, which took place between 19 and 29 May 2025.

The CIW report summary stated:

West Glamorgan Shared Lives supports individuals to experience wholesome and active lives within family settings where they are treated with kindness, compassion and respect. Carers are vetted and rigorously assessed to ensure they are suitable to provide the service. There are effective systems in place to ensure people are matched with approved carers who are compatible with them and can meet their needs.

The report highlighted that the service has only been in operation for a year, but it took over from a different provider, bringing across all individuals, carers and Shared Lives coordinators, which enabled people to receive continuous care and support.

No recommendations were made.

Performance Monitoring

The committee considered the Quarter 1 2025/2026 Social Services Performance Monitoring Report.

The report highlighted performance against a selection of key performance measures from within the Children & Young People, Adult Services and Housing and Community Safety service areas.

Members noted the report.

Social Services, Health and Housing Directorate Business Plans

The committee received the Heads of Service Business Plans 2025/2026 for Children and Young People Services, Adult Services and Housing and Communities.

The business plans set out the actions and measures which will be progressed during 2025/2026 to enable the delivery of the well-being objectives outlined in the Council's Corporate Strategy 2025/2028.

Members noted the report.