Welcome to this latest edition of our Joint Working Journal. This instalment focuses on the Steering and Advisory Board 3 (SAB3) meeting held on 3rd June. SAB3 covers the Neurodiverse and Children and Young People’s Programmes.

Here are some of the key highlights:

Neurodiverse Programme
The West Glamorgan Neurodiverse Strategy Coproduction Group continues to make significant progress in shaping a regional, coproduced strategy that champions a needs-led, person-centred approach to supporting neurodivergent individuals across Neath Port Talbot and Swansea. The Strategy Coproduction Working Group, including partners from Swansea Council, Neath Port Talbot Council, Swansea Bay University Health Board, various Third Sector organisations, parent carers, and individuals with lived experience, is shaping the strategy’s overall direction of travel in terms of engagement. This is currently in the planning stages and is focusing on incorporating the voices of those with lived experience to identify necessary changes for the neurodiverse population.

Children and Young People’s Programme
SAB3 members approved the application from Swansea Council for acquisition of a property with the aim of remodelling and creating a residential property that will provide tailored residential care for young people with complex needs. This acquisition is crucial in terms of ensuring there is suitable housing provision for children with complex needs and specifically addresses the critical gap in accommodation and support for individuals who require a high level of care due to learning disabilities, autism spectrum conditions, and/or behavioural challenges.
We will update you on the progress of this vital initiative in a future instalment of our Journal.

Engagement Networks
West Glamorgan’s Communications and Engagement Manager updated SAB3 members with a proposed plan to establish a series of ‘virtual networks’ for each of the regional programmes of work. This represents a more flexible approach where organisations can join the network and disseminate information on targeted engagement activities as and when they occur. These networks will comprise a broader ‘Network of Voices’, which will be inclusive of everyone and allow members to participate as little or as much as is suitable for them.
This approach was piloted earlier this year with the Emotional Well-being and Mental Health Programme and we were very pleased with the response, so that provides a good foundation for us to build on.

We’re still finding our feet with this new way of involving people and organisations in our work, but the feedback was positive and we’ll shape and mould our efforts as our networks continue to grow.

Social Care Wales Workforce Development Programme
The Learning, Training and Development Manager at Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council delivered a presentation outlining the ways in which the Social Care Wales Workforce Development Programme (SCWWDP) underpins the workforce planning priorities of the Regional Partnership Board (RPB), ensuring alignment with the region’s Population Needs Assessment (PNA) and the associated strategic plans.

By linking workforce development directly to identified community needs, the SCWWDP plays a crucial role in shaping a responsive and sustainable care sector within our region.
You can view the latest SCWWDP newsletter here: Social Care Wales Workforce Development Programme (SCWWDP) Partnership

Endorsement of End of Year Reports
Every year, regions submit finance and performance reports to Welsh Government to demonstrate the progress being made across all programmes of work and regionally funded projects. Known as the ‘Stories of Change’, these reports are endorsed annually via the RPB governance. You can view the versions for 2024-25 on our website, along with colourful infographics and documents outlining the funding information for each programme: End of Year Reports (2024-25) – West Glamorgan Regional Partnership

The reports were approved by SAB3 members as well as the RPB, which met on 10th June. Officers within the regional team were commended for the work they’d put in to developing such detailed and comprehensive overviews of all that’s being achieved across West Glamorgan.

That’s all from us for now – we’ll be back after the next SAB 😊