Agenda and minutes
PDF 222 KBVenue: Ashcombe Suite, County Hall, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2DN
Contact: Ross Pike or Andrew Baird
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Minutes: Apologies were received from Colin Kemp, Richard Wilson acted as a substitute.
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: 10 APRIL 2015
To agree the minutes as a true record of the meeting. Minutes: The minutes were agreed as a true record of the meeting.
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.
Notes: · In line with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012, declarations may relate to the interest of the member, or the member’s spouse or civil partner, or a person with whom the member is living as husband or wife, or a person with whom the member is living as if they were civil partners and the member is aware they have the interest. · Members need only disclose interests not currently listed on the Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests. · Members must notify the Monitoring Officer of any interests disclosed at the meeting so they may be added to the Register. · Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest. Minutes: None received. |
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QUESTIONS AND PETITIONS
To receive any questions or petitions.
Notes: 1. The deadline for Member’s questions is 12.00pm four working days before the meeting (8 May 2015). 2. The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting (7 May 2015). 3. The deadline for petitions was 14 days before the meeting, and no petitions have been received. Minutes: None received. |
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RESPONSES FROM THE CABINET TO ISSUES REFERRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE
There are no responses to report. Minutes: None received. |
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DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
The Strategic Director for Adult Social Care will update the Committee on important news and announcements. Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Dave Sargeant, Strategic Director, Adult Social Care Mel Few, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Nick Markwick, Director, Surrey Coalition of Disabled People
Key points raised during the discussion:
· The Strategic Director (SD) began his update by responding to comments made by the BBC in Surrey which suggested there would be a wholesale review of the delivery of adult social care services in Surrey as a result of the closure of the Merok Park care home. The media appear to have misinterpreted a report about ASC reviewing its quality assurance to ensure the right partners are involved. The SD reiterated that it was Surrey County Council (SCC) who had called in the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following concerns about the delivery of care at Merok Park and that ASC staff worked tirelessly to ensure that residents were moved to another home safely.
· A response was also provided to recent news reports which highlighted concerns over the treatment of staff and the quality of care delivery by social care companies working under the auspices of the umbrella company Mihomecare, some of which operate in Surrey. The Committee received assurance from the SD that he is working with the Chief Executive of Mihomecare.com to ensure that the companies which do operate in Surrey deliver the right care residents.
· The Director of Surrey Coalition of Disabled People (DSCDP) gave the Committee the service users’ perspective of the quality of care provided by Mihomecar. Particular emphasis was placed on the long hours worked by care workers and the fact that they aren’t paid for the time spent driving between appointments which had led to a large turnover of staff that has had a direct impact on the continuity of care.
· The Committee requested further information on the private care providers that ASC commissions services from and asked whether contracts with private providers state that all employees are paid the living wage. The SD stated that ASC asks any qualified providers of home care pay the living wage to their staff. In response to concerns by Members about care workers not being paid between appointments, the SD highlighted that this arrangement is the industry standard.
· The SD drew the Committee’s attention to the success of the Get Wise Surrey initiative which has so far helped Surrey residents claim £6.5 million in benefit payments that they were not previously aware they were entitled to and that this has been at limited cost to the Council. This has been particularly beneficial for carers who have had their benefits backdated from before they knew they could claim.
· The Committee asked the SD whether he had any idea of where the £12bn in benefits cuts mooted by the government would fall. The SD highlighted that that budget reductions on ASC have been significant and it has been part of the ASC’s strategy to consider the impact of these cuts on the delivery of social care in Surrey. Members were informed by the SD that ... view the full minutes text for item 30/13a |
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CABINET MEMBER'S UPDATE AND ADULT SOCIAL CARE SYSTEM SCRUTINY
The Committee will be briefed on the recommended new contract for the Adult Social Care case management and financial system to be decided by the Cabinet on May 26.
The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care will also update the Committee on his priorities for the Directorate in 2015/16.
Minutes: The Chairman proposed that item 6b be considered before item 6a and this was agreed by the Committee.
Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Mel Few, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Dave Sargeant, Strategic Director for Adult Social Care Nick Markwick, Director, Surrey Coalition of Disabled People Toni Carney, Head of Resources, Adult Social Care Lorraine Juniper, Programmes Manager, Information Management and Technology
Key points raised during the discussion:
· The Committee were given detail of the new IT system by Liquidlogic that is being recommended by ASC and that will be considered by the Cabinet at its next meeting on 26 May 2015. The Cabinet Member stated that the proposed contractual relationship would be part of an existing agreement with East Sussex County Council who are acting as a central purchasing body for other local authorities and already use Liquidlogic as their adult social care delivery system.
· The Cabinet Member drew attention to some of the features of the new software which will offer significantly improved functionality over the system currently used by ASC. For example, Liquidlogic’s software will facilitate mobile working for care workers, it is an intuitive system that staff will find easy to use while there will also be more frequent updates to further improve the functionality of the system. Moreover if no action is now taken to replace the Adult Social Care IT system, there is a risk that the council will not be compliant with the Care Act by April 2016 and will not have the necessary functionality to manage the increased demand for assessments
· Members requested further information on any financial benefits that Liquidlogic’s software will offer ASC. The Cabinet Member advised that the costs of contracting the new software will be similar to the current system but that there is the potential to make significant savings arising from the increased efficiency in service provision that the new software will provide. The opportunity for staff to work remotely has been identified as a particular area where savings could be achieved due to the fact that it will allow care workers to update people’s records in the field rather ... view the full minutes text for item 31/13 |
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SINGLE HOMELESSNESS IN SURREY
Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Andrea Cannon, Director of Client Strategy and Delivery, Transform Housing & Support Alison Wilks, Strategic Housing Manager, Mole Valley District Council
Key points raised during the discussion:
· The Director of Client Strategy and Delivery at Transform Housing & Support (DCSD) gave a brief introduction to the report in particular highlighting that homelessness is an increasing problem across Surrey. Attention was also drawn to a judgement made by the Supreme Court on 13 May 2015 that requires local authorities to widen the ‘vulnerability test’ they apply to assess single homeless people which will have a significant impact as the number required to be accommodated will increase. Generally, Surrey has strong support services for the homeless although there is some concern that CCGs are not fully aware of the type of services that can properly support homeless people in Surrey.
· The Strategic Housing Manager at Mole Valley District Council (SHM) stressed the importance of funding through the Housing Related Support Programme (HRSP) which is critical to ensuring that the districts and boroughs can continue to provide support services to the homeless in Surrey. The issue of accommodating homeless people with complex needs was also raised as a particular challenge as there is a need to ensure that these cases are adequately supported to live in temporary or permanent accommodation. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) have issued a call for evidence on this issue and subsequently funding may be available to help these cases as a result. The SHM also explained that the HRSP provides critical funding for the Surrey domestic abuse outreach services and Women’s refuges.
· Information was requested by the Committee on efforts being made to coordinate the efforts of housing support services with the Family Support Programme. The SHM confirmed that work is being done to join up the work of relevant services to tackle homelessness in Surrey and that funding has been received from DCLG had previously been received in order to achieve this and is known as the Surrey Homeless Alliance. DCLG funding has also recently been received by district and boroughs for initiatives for the single homeless including rough sleepers and two projects have been established in the east (East Surrey Outreach Service (eSOS)) and west (Single Homeless Alliance West Surrey (SHAWS) of the county. Both work on the Family Support Programme principle of the ‘team around the person’. In Surrey Heath the initiative will be located within the Family Support Team and this presents an opportunity to learn the potential benefits.
· The Committee asked why four of the 11 districts and boroughs aren’t part of SHAWS. It was advised that the four eastern districts and boroughs have formed a partnership which covers the east of the county and collaborate to improve outcomes for homeless people in Surrey in a similar way. Members were further informed that Transform is supporting the development of a Surrey Homeless Alliance, involving the statutory and voluntary sector, which will coordinate efforts to ... view the full minutes text for item 32/13 |
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TRANSFORMING DEMENTIA DAY CARE
Purpose of the report: Scrutiny of Services
To inform the Select Committee of the proposed changes to how Surrey County Council commissions day care for older people and people living with dementia. Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Jen Henderson, Senior Commissioning Manager, Adult Social Care Dave Sargeant, Strategic Director, Adult Social Care
Key points raised during the discussion:
· The Senior Commissioning Manager (SM) provided the Committee with a brief introduction to the report outlining ASC’s proposal to transform the services that it offers to residents with care needs arising from dementia. Members were informed that the one size fits all model based around days centres has become outdated as they aren’t able to offer the breadth of services required to support people at different stages of dementia. This is particularly true for individuals with early onset dementia for whom the services provided day centres often aren’t appropriate.
· In light of this, ASC has done a great deal of work with existing providers as well as people with dementia and their carers’ in an effort to move away from block contracts towards commissioning bespoke services that can support people with all stages of dementia. Members were advised, however, that there is still a place for day centres particularly for in supporting individuals with advanced dementia and so some services will continue to be provided from day centres.
· Some concern was expressed by Members that the model proposed by ASC for transforming the delivery of services to people with dementia could lead to a more fragmented access to services. Assurances were requested that ASC would continue to be able to deliver the suite of services across the county that were previously accessible through day centres. The SM stated that day centres will continue to be an important part of the framework through which services will be provided but the commissioning of bespoke services is about recognising that day centres aren’t suitable for everyone.
· The Committee asked how ASC are planning to monitor providers to ensure that they are delivering good outcomes for people with dementia. In particular, Members asked what provisions there will be for assessing smaller providers who can’t necessarily deliver all of the desired outcomes but are still providing a valuable service to dementia sufferers. The ASM stated that providers commissioned by ASC to deliver services will be required to sign up to an outcomes framework against which their performance in relation to stipulated objectives will be evaluated. There will be some flexibility for smaller, less-established providers, such as community groups, who provide valuable support but don’t necessarily meet the outcome criteria, when they are ready they can join part the framework as it is a dynamic system
· Members inquired about what provisions are being developed to help people who don’t know or refuse to acknowledge that they have dementia. The ASM acknowledged that there are a significant number of people who don’t know they have dementia with some estimates suggesting that 39% of people in Surrey with dementia aren’t aware they have it. SCC is currently working closely with health providers to promote timely diagnoses for people living with the illness to ensure they get the support they need.
· Information ... view the full minutes text for item 33/13 |
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Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest:
None
Witnesses:
Vernon Nosal, Interim Head of Quality Assurance and Adults Strategic Safeguarding, Adult Social Care Simon Turpitt, Independent Chair, Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board Dave Sargeant, Strategic Director, Adult Social Care
Key points raised during the discussions: · The Independent Chair of Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board (IC) gave the committee a brief overview of the work that the Board has undertaken since his appointment 18 months ago. Information was provided to Members on the work done by the IC to improve the Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB) including promoting it as a multiagency board rather than just focused on ASC as well as developing a person-centred approach to conducting safeguarding enquiries. It was further highlighted that the introduction of the Care Act has given SSAB more powers to ensure that recommendations made to partners are actually acted on.
· The Interim Head of Quality Assurance and Adults Strategic Safeguarding (IHQA) provided the Committee with an outline of some of the work being done by ASC to continue to improve adults safeguarding in Surrey. This includes the distribution of literature to people and providers covered by safeguarding legislation to ensure that all parties are aware of their rights and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. Members were further advised that where individuals don’t want to receive support from ASC efforts will be made to utilise FFC to ensure that this person is monitored and that an intervention takes place, if required, before they reach crisis point.
· Attention was also drawn to the number of safeguarding alerts received which has been attributed to having strong communication culture in relation to safeguarding and that the preference is to have more alerts but fewer referrals. Members were also informed about the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), a forum developed for the rapid exchange of information between agencies. Efforts are currently being made to optimise the work of the MASH by exploring best practice from other local authorities.
· The IHQA also talked briefly about the lessons learned by ASC as a result of the closure of Merok Park. A summit involving all relevant partners highlighted that people weren’t aware of how to report concerns, subsequently it has been agreed to implement a system whereby ASC and its partners have a coordinated approach to dealing with homes that are presenting challenges. Work is presently being done to consider what intelligence is required to facilitate a coordinated response as well as determining what this response will look like.
· Members expressed concern that the number of safeguarding alerts has tripled in the past five years. The IC advised that this is primarily a result of better awareness of adults’ safeguarding which, unlike children’s safeguarding, was not given a great deal of consideration until four or five years ago. The IHQA indicated that ASC has been active in promoting awareness of safeguarding among patients and partners.
· The witnesses were asked whether they had any insights on why instances of neglect are continuing to rise. The IHQA advised ... view the full minutes text for item 34/13 |
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RECOMMENDATION TRACKER AND FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME
The Committee is asked to monitor progress on the implementation of recommendations from previous meetings, and to review its Forward Work Programme. Additional documents: Minutes: Key points raised during the discussion:
None
Recommendations:
None
Actions/ further information to be provided:
None
Committee next steps:
None
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Committee will be held at 10.00 am on 25 June 2015 Minutes: It was noted that the next meeting Adult Social Care Select Committee was scheduled for 25 June 2015.
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