Agenda and minutes
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Contact: Ross Pike or Andy Spragg 020 8541 7368 or 020 8213 2673
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Minutes: Apologies were received from Barbara Thomson, Dorothy Ross-Tomlin and Yvonna Lay.
Bill Chapman acted as substitute for Dorothy Ross-Tomlin. |
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS: 25 June 2015 and 9 July 2015
To agree the minutes as a true record of the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes were agreed as an accurate record of the meetings. |
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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: There were no declarations of interest. |
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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 (1 September 2015). 2. The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting (31 August 2015) 3. The deadline for petitions was 14 days before the meeting, and no petitions have been received. Minutes: There were no questions or petitions. |
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RESPONSES FROM THE CABINET TO ISSUES REFERRED BY THE SCRUTINY BOARD
There are no responses to report. Minutes: There were no responses to note. |
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WORKING TOGETHER TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN 2015: RESPONSE TO NEW STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Purpose of the report: Scrutiny of Services
This report sets out how the Council and its safeguarding partners have responded to new statutory responsibilities introduced by government guidance, ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015’. These responsibilities relate to children at risk of: - Sexual Exploitation - Female Genital Mutilation - Radicalisation Minutes: Witnesses: Caroline Budden, Deputy Director for Children, Schools and Families Julian Gordon-Walker, Head of Safeguarding Gordon Falconer, Community Safety Unit Senior Manager Helen Atkinson, Director of Public Health
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Board was informed that information sharing had improved between safeguarding partners and as result of the change in Missing and Exploited Children’s Conference (MAECC) process. It was highlighted that work was being developed with district and boroughs to improve disruption techniques, and that this work would seek to engage community impact and action groups.
[Marissa Heath arrived at 10.15am]
2. A question was raised about the manner in which voluntary sector organisations could be supported in helping reduce the risk of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). Training and awareness raising campaigns such as Chelsea’s Choice were highlighted by officers as being particularly significant in assisting in that regard. The Board was informed that engagement with community safety officers in particular had seen an increase in referrals and raised awareness.
3. The Board sought clarity on the numbers of children and young people identified at risk of CSE. It was clarified that 293 had been identified as having been at risk at one time or another. 96 were identified as being at risk at the time the report had been written. The Board went on to question what measurable outcomes there were in terms of monitoring the effectiveness of safeguarding interventions. Officers responded that there were a number of indicators; these included the number of teenage pregnancies and instances of Sexually Transmitted Diseases being reported. It was also highlighted that the new and evolving responsibilities required shifts in the culture of partner organisations such as health, in order to understand how the safeguarding community could work together to identify those at risk.
4. The Board was provided with an update on the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Task and Finish Group, which had been established by the Surrey Safeguarding Children’s Board (SSCB). It was agreed that officers would circulate the latest report of this group to the Board outside of the meeting. Initial findings suggested that there were relatively small numbers of the population considered at risk of FGM when compared with the national picture, but that specific targeted work needed to be undertaken to address gaps within the Surrey profile on FGM.
5. Officers highlighted that work had been undertaken in partnership between Surrey and Sussex police in Gatwick, in order to engage with families travelling to countries where there was an increased risk of FGM. In addition the Task and Finish Group was reviewing policies and procedures in line with protocols that had been established in Manchester, an area considered best practice in this regard. Toolkits and guidance were being circulated to schools, with primary schools receiving these as a matter of priority and secondary schools to be updated in the next year. There were also increased efforts to raise awareness with Members. The Board queried what had been done to engage governing bodies ... view the full minutes text for item 27. |
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CHILDREN,SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES STRATEGIC DIRECTOR UPDATE
The Strategic Director for Children, Schools and Families will update the Board on important news and announcements. Minutes: Witnesses: Julie Fisher, Deputy Chief Executive and Interim Strategic Director for Children, Schools and Families
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Board was informed that the Ofsted Improvement Plan would be agreed on 9 September. The Improvement Board that had been established in December 2014 would be expanding its membership to health, police and school partners. The Department for Education had also appointed Rose Collison to support the Council to deliver its improvement plan, and she would be joining the Improvement Board.
2. The Board was informed that Ofsted would conduct monthly case audits for the next 12 months as part of the improvement plan. There would also be quarterly updates to Ofsted on progress, followed by a public report in 6 months. After 12 months the Council would be subject to a further inspection. The Board was told that no improvement notice had been issued by the Department for Education to date.
3. The Board raised a question about transition and what progress had been made in progressing a task group in this area.
4. The Board queried what impact the current refugee crisis was having on demand for services. Officers outlined that there was an increased number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children from Syria and other areas of conflict. There had been a 50% increase in the number compared to the same point the previous year. There was also external pressures as other Local Authorities such as Kent struggled to identify placements for children. The role of Adult Social Care was also highlighted in regard to families, and officers commented that the Association of Directors of Adult Social Care would be meeting to consider how the region can respond collectively.
5. The Board raised the question of how volunteers offering their homes to refugees would be vetted. It was clarified that unaccompanied children would not be placed in family homes without following the appropriate policies and procedures for children who are Looked After. It was also highlighted that there was no current national view on how volunteers could best support families seeking refuge in regard to offering housing.
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ADULT SOCIAL CARE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
The Strategic Director for Adult Social Care will update the Board on important news and announcements. Minutes: Witnesses: Dave Sargeant, Strategic Director Adult Social Care William House, Strategic Finance Manager
Key points raised during the discussion:
1. The Board was advised that the Strategic Director would introduce the Better Care Fund (BCF) on behalf of the Surrey-wide Better Care Fund Board. The purpose of the Fund was to manage down demand on the health service through prevention approaches, protection of social care and a shift in activity away from the acute sector. A single pooled budget between health and social care was to be created, in Surrey there are seven. The fund has not come from ‘new’ money instead coming from existing Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) budgets.
2. The Strategic Director explained that the Surrey Better Care Board had oversight of the single Surrey plan operating on behalf of the Surrey Health and Wellbeing Board. It was stated Six Local Joint Commissioning Groups (LJCGs) were responsible for the development and agreement of local plans, determining how the fund is spent in that area. A number of areas that were developed on a countywide basis these were; workforce, equipment and information sharing.
3. The Board were given an overview of the finances behind the BCF detailed in the agenda papers. Adult Social Care received £25m from the Fund to ‘protect’ social care; this investment will be focused on preventative services. The BCF includes support for Adult Social Care’s new Care Act duties and replaced what was known as Whole System Funding. That money is now overseen by LJCGs and used, for example, to provide social care teams in hospitals. Payment of £1.5m for performance of the BCF in reducing non-elected hospital admissions by 1% would be released in 2016.
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BETTER CARE FUND POSITION STATEMENT
Purpose of the report: Scrutiny of Services and Budgets/Performance Management
This paper sets out a Better Care Fund Position Statements for each of the six Local Joint Commissioning Groups across Surrey. Minutes: Witnesses: Dave Sargeant, Strategic Director Adult Social Care William House, Strategic Finance Manager Helen Atkinson, Director of Public Health Richard Bates, Chief Finance Officer, East Surrey CCG Karen Parsons, Chief Operating Officer, Surrey Downs CCG Sonya Sellar, Mid Surrey Area Director, Adult Social Care Elaine Newton, Director of Governance and Compliance, Guildford and Waverley CCG Shelley Head, North West Area Director, Adult Social Care Lisa Compton, Operations Director, Locality Hubs, North West Surrey CCG Sue Robertson, Head of Collaborative Programmes and Partnership, North West Surrey CCG Sarah McBride, Director of Delivery, North East Hampshire & Farnham CCG Jean Boddy, Surrey Heath and Farnham Area Director, Adult Social Care Nicola Airey, Director of Strategy, Surrey Heath CCG
Mel Few, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Independence Helyn Clack, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Health Tim Evans, Cabinet Associate for Adult Social Care, Wellbeing and Independence
Key points raised during the discussion:
East Surrey LJCG
1. The Board were advised that there is a plan to develop Health and Social Care hubs across East Surrey to breakdown barriers to see improvements in number of patients ready for discharge. The Chief Finance Officer noted that the LJCG members are beginning to learn how they work and that the 2015/16 year will hope to see how the progress goes with the challenge of measuring delivery benefit of individual schemes. The first-quarter results of their work have been released and have started to show evidence of delivery of the BCF metrics.
2. East Surrey CCG is financially challenged and not currently assured by NHS England therefore it is under increased scrutiny. The CCG’s recovery plan indicates a return to financial balance in 2016/17. The financial challenge has been a catalyst for a stable health and social care system and the development of a pragmatic relationship with the Area Director, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH), the Ambulance Service and the First Community Health and Care.
3. The Scrutiny Board Chairman asked for confirmation of the financial challenge faced by East Surrey CCG. It was stated that this was £20 to £25 million in savings by the end of the 2015/16 with the target of decreasing the annual budget from £180 million to just under £120 million in 2017.
4. The aim for the LJCG is to develop hubs including primary care and social care to provide support for early discharge and to reduce inappropriate admissions. East Surrey has seen a reduction in the number of non-elective admissions and progress is being made with SASH on patient flow and discharge. The Chief Finance Officer emphasised the need to focus on overcoming the barriers to integration and they are considering how to integrate the separate commissioning teams through co-location and join procurement and the challenge of measuring the benefits of individual schemes.
Guildford & Waverley LJCG
5. The Director of Governance and Compliance advised that the CCG is assured with support and has a challenge savings programme. It has agreed a variable ... view the full minutes text for item 30. |
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FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COMMUNITIES PROGRAMME UPDATE
Purpose of the report: Scrutiny of Services
To update the Board on the progress and achievements of the Family, Friends and Community Programme. Minutes: Witnesses:
Shelley Head, Area Director North West, Adult Social Care Garath Symonds, Assistant Director for Young People, Children, Schools and Families
Key points raised in the discussion:
1. The Board were advised that a marketplace that featured the various projects that form part of family and friends support programmes was set up for Members of the Board to visit and learn more about.
Recommendations:
None
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RECOMMENDATIONS TRACKER AND FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME
The Board is asked to review its Recommendation Tracker and Forward Work Programme.
Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of Interest:
None
Recommendations:
None
Actions/ further information to be provided:
None
Board next steps:
None
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on 30 October 2015 at 10am.
Minutes: The next meeting of the Committee will be held on 30 October 2015 at 10am
Meeting ended at: 1.28pm
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