Agenda and minutes
PDF 220 KBVenue: Council Chamber, County Hall, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2DN
Contact: Ross Pike or Andy Spragg or Joseph Jones
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Minutes: Apologies were received from Chris Townsend
Nicholas Harrison substituted for Chris Townsend |
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: 7 SEPTEMBER 2015
To agree the minutes as a true record of the meeting. 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 (Monday 26 October 2015). 2. The deadline for public questions is seven days before the meeting (Friday 23 October 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.
The Chairman emphasised that Board Members can submit questions to the Board. |
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RESPONSES FROM THE CABINET TO ISSUES REFERRED BY THE SCRUTINY BOARD
The Board made a recommendation to Cabinet on the 22 September 2015 concerning Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS). A response is attached. Additional documents: Minutes: Issue referred to cabinet:
The Board recommends that the Cabinet raise these concerns regarding the new responsibilities placed on the council with central government, and the insufficient funding made available to meet their duties.
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CHILDREN'S IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2015 - UPDATE
Purpose of the report: Scrutiny of Services and Budgets
An update on the Children’s Improvement Plan 2015 is presented following its publication in September 2015. This will enable the Board to review and understand the arrangements in place to scrutinise delivery of the Plan. Additional documents: Minutes: Witnesses: Caroline Budden, Deputy Director for Children, Schools and Families
Key points raised during the discussion:
[Dorothy Ross-Tomlin arrived at 10.15 am]
1. Officers outlined the context of the Children’s Improvement Plan and asked the Board to note its governance actions. This included a requirement for the Board to establish a performance and finance sub-group in order to track the progress of the improvement plan.
2. The Board raised a question concerning taxi licensing and how individual cases of licenses being revoked were passed to the relevant agency. Officers agreed to clarify the process for doing this with the Board. The Cabinet Member commented that the success of the Improvement Plan was dependent on engaging with all agencies, including district and borough partners.
3. The Board discussed communication with services and key workers and how areas for improvement were fed back. Officers commented that there was ongoing communication between management, the services and the key workers regarding spotting signs of neglect and abuse. The Deputy Director also noted that Surrey Safeguarding Children’s Board (SSCB) and the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) was moving towards an agreed methodology for an approach to safeguarding. The Board was informed that multi-agency training methodologies were being implemented through the SSCB.
4. The Board commented on the need for strategic leadership in delivering the Children’s Improvement Plan. The Cabinet Member highlighted the need to make changes in the culture of Children’s Services and that this would be a long term challenge. The Cabinet Member praised the leadership of the Deputy Chief Executive and the Deputy Director in tackling this through the Children’s Improvement Plan.
5. The Board asked for further detail on the difficulties faced in recruiting social workers. Officers commented that retaining staff was a key issue, and that a number of options were being explored in order to incentivise staff and recognise their value. The approach taken to retaining staff in residential homes had highlighted some areas of good practice which could be applied across the wider service.
6. The Board highlighted that it would want to see a further report on how the views of young people and children were taken into account in the delivery of the Children’s Improvement Plan. The Chairman informed the Board that there would be independent training provided for Members on how to scrutinise Children’s Services and social care.
Recommendations:
1. That the Board to establish a Performance and Finance Sub-Group that will track Children, Schools and Families progress against key performance milestones set out in the plan, in addition to budget planning.
Membership: Keith Witham, Margaret Hicks, Ken Gulati, Yvonna Lay, Ramon Gray, Ernest Mallet and Fiona White.
2. That officers clarify the formal mechanisms by which District and Borough Councils can share information and concerns related to safeguarding issues, particularly in relation to housing, taxi and premises licensing.
3. That the board receives an update on what actions have to be taken in line with the Improvement Plan to ensure the views of children ... view the full minutes text for item 39. |
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ADULT SOCIAL CARE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR'S UPDATE
Minutes: Witnesses:
Dave Sargeant, Strategic Director for Adult Social Care
Mel Few, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Independence and Wellbeing
Key points raised during the discussions:
1. The Chairman and the Board noted that the Strategic Director of Adult Social Care was retiring and praised and thanked the Strategic Director for the work he had done and appreciated the improvements realised.
2. The Strategic Director commented that he chaired the recent Better Care Board and that the section 75 agreements with the NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups on pooled budgets were likely to be signed in late November or early December. The Strategic Director noted that the pace of change had increased. In light of this, the Board have sought a further meeting with the Better Care Board.
3. Regarding the Adult Social Care Reviews, the Strategic Director noted that audit had a difficult time using the AIS system as well as the IS with Liquid Logic. The Strategic Director informed the Board that officers were monitoring all 18,000 scheduled reviews and have decreased the number of cases with no review date to less than 5% of the total.
4. The Strategic Director discussed the Government’s Transforming Care agenda - the Government’s response to Winterbourne View. In Surrey, the Strategic Director noted that since 1983, bed spaces in psychiatric institutions have been continually decreasing as care moved into the community and that there were just 17 Assessment and Treatment beds today all provided by the NHS.
5. The Strategic Director noted that the Area Director for East Surrey had been on secondment for two days a week working on the Transforming Care agenda with the Local Government Association. There was also a small pot of funding available from the Surrey CCGs to develop Surrey’s response.
6. Additionally, the Strategic Director noted that he had been working with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Independence and Wellbeing as well as working with registered social landlords to develop alternatives to meet the needs of tenants.
7. The Cabinet Member noted that the Accommodation with Care and Support Strategy outlines the actions of the service following the closure of the six homes for older people. The Cabinet Member noted that they have been working with Human Resources regarding recruitment and retention which included initiatives such as recruitment of friends and relatives as well as further payment if employees have worked for a number of years.
8. A concern was raised that the contractors providing Adult Social Care Services were not paying the living wage to its employees nor ensuring that they were paid for travel. The Strategic Director assured the Board that the contracts request that workers were paid the minimum wage and recognised the travel time and that these conditions were regularly monitored. There was an admission that the demands of a living wage duty could stretch the sector.
9. A Board Member raised the concern over the occasional challenging behaviour of people with a mental illness and the subsequent safety ... view the full minutes text for item 40. |
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SURREY SAFEGUARDING ADULTS BOARD ANNUAL REPORT 2014 - 2015
Purpose of the report: Performance Management
The Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB) produces an Annual Report which sets out what the Board has done to achieve its main objective and to implement its strategic plan. This is presented to the Board today, along with information on recent changes for the Board brought about by the Care Act. Additional documents: Minutes: Witnesses:
Dave Sargeant, Strategic Director for Adult Social Care Mel Few, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Independence and Wellbeing
Key points raised during the discussions:
1. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Independence and Wellbeing informed the board that the Surrey Safeguarding Adults Annual Report 2014 -2015 was presented to the Cabinet on Tuesday 27 October 2015 by the Independent Chair and was accepted by the Cabinet with minor concerns. The Cabinet Member noted that the Chair had taken those concerns on board. Overall it was noted by the Board that it was a positive report.
2. A point was raised regarding the language of surveillance used in the report as it felt that inclusion should be emphasised. Further comments included inclusion of the topic of deprivation in Safeguarding Board related to the impact of increased demand for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) assessments.
Recommendations:
None.
Actions/further information to be provided:
None.
Board next steps:
None.
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CARE ACT 2014: REVIEW OF PHASE 1 (1 APRIL 2015)
Purpose of the report: Policy Development and Review
To review Surrey County Council’s implementation of the first phase of the Care Act reforms, which passed into law on 1 April 2015. To update the Committee on the status of the second phase of the Care Act reforms, which were originally due to pass into law on 1 April 2016. Additional documents: Minutes: Witnesses:
Dave Sargeant, Strategic Director for Adult Social Care Sonya Sellar, Area Director (Mid-Surrey)
Key points raised during the discussions:
1. The Area Director for Mid-Surrey informed the Board that the Guidance to the Care Act was only published in October 2014 prior to implementation of the legislation in April 2015. However formal evaluation of Adult Social Care’s implementation programme was completed and the Council’s Internal Audit report validated the approach taken by concluding that the preparations were ‘effective’.
2. The Area Director noted that Phase One of the Care Act had been implemented and was overseen by the ‘Embedding the Practice’ group and that the Directorate assessed the implementation and sought staff feedback for any improvements.
3. The Area Director was asked about the duty to provide social care to prisoners and stated that the referral rate to the service in Surrey is higher than the national average with 12 prisoners per prison compared to seven prisoners referred per prison nationally. Further to this, the Area Director commented that a quarter of referrals received in prisons were for occupational therapy and equipment.
4. The Area Director advised the Board that the funding was provided on a Surrey basis for any prisoner with a social care need in one of the county’s prisons. Following release, the ongoing care needs were met by the returning Local Authority and therefore, not necessarily Surrey County Council
5. A Board Member expressed disappointment with the delay to the introduction on a cap on care costs. The Finance Manager responded that there was a fair degree of confidence with funding received in 2015 split into two, prisons assessment and demands in prisons however the Finance Manager was unsure what the future leads in regards to funding including funding for 2016.
Recommendations:
None.
Actions/further information to be provided:
None.
Board next steps:
None.
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MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CARE CONCORDAT AND MENTAL HEALTH CODE OF PRACTICE: AN UPDATE
Purpose of the report: Policy Development and Review
This report is to update the Board on the improvements in practice made by partners for people experiencing a mental health crisis, since signing the mental health crisis care concordat. The report also provides information on the changes to the mental health code of practice. Additional documents: Minutes: Witnesses:
Jane Bremner, Senior Commissioning Manager Sheila Jones, Head of Countywide Services Stan Masawi, Home Treatment Team Manager, NHS Surrey and Borders Partnership Foundation Trust (SABP) Gary Dicken, Senior Approved Mental Health Professional (ASC & SABP) Laura Hoyles, Senior Social Worker, HOPE Service
Key points raised during the discussions:
1. The Council and partners have successfully bid for funding that has totalled over £2 million for projects for people with mental health needs. It was highlighted that Surrey and Boarders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SABP) had recruited three members for the Aldershot Safe Haven and building work for the new 24/7 hospital was to be completed on 18 December 2015.
2. The Home Treatment Manager explained that Safe Havens were a service for people experiencing a mental health crisis and aimed to avoid Police contact or hospital admission. The service in Aldershot had been extended during the winter months because the services have managed the finances well and had successfully provided support from 8am to 11pm on weekdays. The Home Treatment Manager stated that the service supports the case workers as well and that the service has received praise and commendation for its work and the results produced.
3. The Home Treatment Manager advised that there were around 15 to 25 people entering and leaving the service per day with most cases being repeat users however referrals are set to expand as the service broadens its publicity. Further to this, the Home Treatment Team Manager commented that they had three members of staff to work with around 25 people.
4. The Board queried the development of the Safe Haven model and were advised that want to expand the service for more Safe Havens as well as the continuing peer support for successful way of working. The Senior Commissioning Manager stated that the Surrey Heath Haven is due to open in mid-November. The Senior Commissioning Manager explained that the havens are intended to be in each CCG area due to funding.
5. The Board raised a concern that the Chief Constable of Surrey Police had notified the Police and Crime Panel that there were still people with mental health issues that were inappropriately consuming Police time and resources. Furthermore, the Board heard that Surrey Police had not known that the Safe Haven facilities were in place to help those with mental health problems suggesting a need for improved communication between the mental health services and Surrey Police.
The Home Treatment Team Manager noted that Hampshire Police was aware of the service as well as the ambulance trust. The Home Treatment Team Manager confirmed that there would be more communications to ensure the decrease in police involvement. The Strategic Director for Adult Social Care commented that the service had been working with the Chief Constable for a few years and that the statistics have significantly improved.
6. In response to a question raised by a Board Member regarding to the response of the out of hours service, the Senior ... view the full minutes text for item 43. |
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RECOMMENDATIONS TRACKER AND FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME
The Board is asked to review its Recommendations Tracker and Forward Work Programme. Additional documents: Minutes:
1. The Board were advised that Corporate Parent item scheduled for the 25 January 2016 is to be taken at 4 March 2016 meeting. |
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Wednesday 25 November at 14.00
Minutes: The Board noted that its next meeting will be Wednesday 25 November 2015 at 2pm.
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