Agenda item

The Chair asked for clarification as to why no member of the Scrutiny Panel had been asked to take part in the Peer Review.

Councillor Alison Born commented that the Peer Review was carried out as inspections from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) were due to commence in January 2024. She added that the full Peer Review report was due to be available to be published very soon.

The Assistant Director – Operations introduced this item and highlighted the following areas from within the presentation. She explained that this information was being shared with the Panel in advance of the publication of the full report.

She stated that the Local Government Association (LGA) has been providing this service to Local Authorities in advance of the expected future inspections. She added that Scrutiny Panel and the Health & Wellbeing Board are not normally involved within this LGA Peer Review process.

Key Messages – Strengths

·  Well led organisation with a positive workforce culture built upon mutual respect and values.

·  Clear corporate purpose with strong political and corporate leadership in supporting Adult Social Care

·  Kind, collegiate, generous staff “we don’t keep a good idea to ourselves”

·  Self-aware – no surprises and plans in place to address some of the challenges as reflected in the Self-Assessment

·  Partnerships and strong relationships

Key Messages – Considerations

·  How systems, processes and data are used to best effect to inform practice and performance oversight

·  Opportunities for further development of practice and oversight through simplification of structures and insourcing plan

·  Ambitious plans with many strategic and operational initiatives planned in next 6 months as part of longer-term plan

·  To support delivery of plans may wish to consider the range of support and advice that is available externally as well as internal resource required

·  Co-production

CQC Assurance Themes

·  Working with people

·  Providing support

·  Ensuring safety

·  Leadership

Case File Audit Findings – review of 6 cases

Strengths

·  Safeguarding – Evidence provides reassurance that people are being kept safe and that risks are appropriately identified and managed Robust and well recorded Safeguarding Adults Management (SAM) oversight including clear actions as well as timeframes for the completion of actions. Well written and proportionate safeguarding minutes.

·  Learning Disabilities – Very clear evidence of relational practice, taking a person-centred approach and working beyond the boundaries of the Care Act.

·  Approved Mental Health Practitioner (AMHP) - Evidence of skilful recording which provides a strong sense of who the human being is balanced with the process, legal literacy and professional opinion.

Considerations

·  Safeguarding – Although there was evidence that people were being involved in safeguarding and that their views were taken into consideration, principles of Making Safeguarding Personal could be further developed and evidenced in the way practitioners record.

·  Mental Capacity – More focus is required on Mental Capacity Act and the consistent application of the fundamental principles underpinning legislation and practice. The gravitas of decisions around mental capacity must be given due consideration. Greater consideration of involving Care Act Advocates and Independent Mental Capacity Advocates when appropriate and including them as early on in the intervention with the person as possible.

·  Carers – Records reviewed did not evidence a robust approach to supporting carers and recording carers assessments.

Next Steps

·  Receive final report for review and develop plan to address areas for development

·  Hold lessons learnt session with team that led, managed and contributed to the Peer Review

·  Mid Year Review of ASC Directorate Plan (Nov) to include Peer Review feedback and prioritise areas for development

·  Ongoing consideration of transfer of ASC services as of 1st April 2024

·  Update Self Assessment Report and publish

·  Appointment of a Quality Assurance Lead

The Chair stated that she would welcome the Panel having a future involvement in such reviews.

Councillor Dave Harding referred to page 43 of the agenda and asked if any further comment could be given with regard to the finding that the records reviewed did not evidence a robust approach in the support to carers.

The Assistant Director – Operations replied that there appeared to be a gap in the case notes following the offer of a Carers Assessment referral to the Carers Centre of what the outcomes were of that assessment. She added that they intend to take steps to rectify this.

Councillor Paul Crossley stated that he agreed with the comments made by the Chair at that a Peer Review should hear from many different voices, including that of all the political groups. He said that he would urge the Cabinet Member and officers to include the Panel in any such future reviews.

Councillor Alison Born replied that she would feed that message back to those involved in organising the review.

Kevin Burnett commented that it was good to see the positive initial outcomes and asked if these were as expected and if they now felt ready for any future inspections.

Councillor Alison Born replied that she felt that the Adult Social Care service was already quite self-aware and that not many issues had arisen as part of the review. She stated that she was pleased that assurances had been identified in many areas of the service. She added that they would not be complacent and that they were reasonably well prepared for any future inspections.

Kevin Burnett asked if they were any particular areas that they now felt the need to focus on following the review.

The Assistant Director – Operations replied that a focus would be on completing a successful transfer of services and bringing all staff groups together to provide one service to the residents of B&NES. She added that a refresh of their quality of practice for Social Work and the framework that surrounds that should take place. She said that the framework and support to staff should also be analysed.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if the ‘ambitious plans’ mentioned within the report would be achievable.

The Assistant Director – Operations replied that as a service they would always seek to ensure that all plans are deliverable and achievable.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the update and presentation that had been provided to them.