Agenda item

The Cabinet Member(s) will update the Panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions on the update provided. The intention is that the update will be circulated to the Panel in the preceding week of the meeting.

The Assistant Director, Operations, Adult Social Care and the Assistant Director, Integrated Commissioning addressed the Panel and gave a presentation. A summary is set out below and a copy of the presentation will be attached as an online appendix to these minutes.

Adult Social Care - Our Local Story

Context for our families in Adult Social Care

•  We are all about our people - Population approx. 193,000 – 147,000 who are over the age of 18 

•  One of the least deprived authorities in the country, ranking 247 out of 326 English authorities. Despite this, pockets of high deprivation exist.

Our culture and ethos in Adult Social Care

•  Our vision for Adults is:- We all want to live in the place we call home with the people and things that we love, in communities where we look out for one another, doing the things that matter to us.

•  We have high aspirations for Adults who require social care support to remain living safely within their community network.

•  We are developing a strong Practice Framework based on what people need to remain in their communities to support them achieve the full potential.

•  An inspection of Adult Social Care by the Care Quality Commission is due at some point in the future.

The last 2 years…..

•  It has been a challenging 2 years for all Local Authorities and B&NES: Covid 19 has impacted our workforce, our adults who require support and our communities.

•  The financial climate has also been a challenge for Adult Social Care over this period, but we have balanced our money with underlying pressures.

•  There is significant political support for Adult Services – Our Leader, Lead member, Scrutiny Panel and wider cabinet actively support improved outcomes for B&NES Adults who required social care support.

Our starting point - the B&NES, Swindon & Wiltshire population

•  Population growth in all areas, with largest growth in B&NES.

•  Growth in frailty & dementia is below that of the >80 population due to long term improvements in health.

•  Despite Swindon >80 population being the lowest in absolute terms it has the greatest increase in frailty and dementia cohorts.

Adult social care population - Data for Feb 2022 – Jan 2023

•  2,284 – People supported by Adult Social Care

•  Age of people supported: 18 – 64 = 42% / 65 and over = 58%

•  Gender of people supported: Men = 44% / Women = 56%

Who Leads The Adult Social Care Team

•  Suzanne Westhead - Director of Adult Social Services

•  Ann Smith - Assistant Director of Operations

•  Natalia Lachkou - Assistant Director – Integrated Commissioning

•  Claire Thorogood - Assistant Director – Strategy, Transformation and Governance

Kevin Burnett commented that earlier in the year Councillor Alison Born had referred to some ongoing research with regard to Covid-19 and he asked if there was any update on this available currently.

The Director of Public Health replied that the research was still ongoing due to the general pressures being seen within the service. She added that she would seek further information on behalf of the Panel and any possible timescales involved.

Councillor Paul Crossley asked if the issues of homelessness and sofa surfing came within the remit of Adult Social Care.

The Assistant Director of Operations replied that generally this matter would be in the Housing remit under the Council structure, but that Adult Social Care does have a role in the process. She added that they commission some services that include substance abuse issues.

The Chair added that if they wished the Panel could look at the health elements of these issues.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if the officers would like to comment further on any concerns regarding the budget available to Adult Social Care.

The Assistant Director, Integrated Commissioning replied that by nature Social Care is a demand led service and that they also have statutory duties that they are required to carry out. She added that they had recently began the budget process for the next four years and they will look at a range of provisions. She said that they do lobby the Government for parity of investment and acknowledged that year on year it is difficult to balance the budget.

Kevin Burnett referred to the 3 Care Homes that are run by the Council (Coombe Lea, Charlton House and Cleeve Court) and asked what work would be required to make them all ‘Good’.

The Assistant Director of Operations replied that there was not one specific thing that would enable the ratings to be improved. She stated that it was really important to have a stable workforce. She added that they work closely with colleagues at the RUH and that there is a partnership in place with Bath College. She said that she felt that the Service was heading in the right direction.

Kevin Burnett referred to the proposal for an interim arrangement for commissioning of Community Health, Public Health and services for a one-year period from 1st April 2024 with HCRG Care Group and asked for any further comments.

The Assistant Director, Strategy, Transformation and Governance replied that there were around 9-10 operational months until this stage in the transformation plan and that progress is going well. She added that officers involved are meeting on a weekly basis and that informal briefings are planned to be held with staff prior to formal consultation taking place.

Kevin Burnett asked what benefits will be seen as a result of the transfer of services.

The Assistant Director of Operations replied that it will see the Provider Services and the Adult Social Care workforce, that includes Social Workers and Occupational Therapists, come together to provide one whole service to seek to make it the best that it can be.

The Chair thanked the officers for the presentation on behalf of the Panel and said that she was keen for them to receive this ongoing level of information.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the presentation and update provided.