Agenda item

Purpose of the report: Policy review and Development

In 2012 the learning disability public value review was identified as being appropriate to address the need for personalised services for individuals who were being supported by Adult Social Care. The three year project has now ended and this report details the outcomes. 

Declarations of Interest:

None

Witnesses:

Jo Poynter, Area Director (East)

Debbie Taylor, Co-Chair, Learning Disability Partnership Board

Mary Hendrick, Partnership Manager for Disabilities

Jen Fookes, Parent Carer

Gaynor Gibbins, Parent Carer

Key points raised during the discussions:

1.    The Area Director provided the Board with an introduction to the work of the Learning Disability Public Value Review (PVR) and how it had improved services for people with learning disabilities and their families. It was developed on the principle of personalisation which informed the FFC work. The PVR has also driven improvement in the delivery of out of county support provision as well as in transition services.

2.    Both parent carers gave Members their perspective on the PVR and how it had improved the services available to them and their children. The Positive Behaviour Support Network was singled out as being particularly important in helping those with learning disabilities and additional needs to foster new skills through the partnerships with providers.

3.    The Co-Chair of the Learning Disability Partnership Board (PB) apprised Members of some of PB’s recent projects including the work that it had been doing to raise awareness of and tackle hate crime against people with learning disabilities. The Partnership Manager stressed the importance for people with learning disabilities to feel safe in their community and highlighted the work PB had done with Surrey Police in order to highlight this issue.

4.    The Board expressed their support for the PVR and the important work that it had facilitated in helping people with learning disabilities to live more independent lives and to integrate into their communities. The Area Director was asked to provide details of how the Council would continue to improve service provision now that the PVR had reached its conclusion. It was highlighted that ASC would work with health partners to develop a follow up strategy. The implementation of this strategy would be underpinned by targets that would then be monitored by the PB to ensure that ASC and its partner agencies continued to meet targets and embed the person-centred approach to the delivery of services for people.

5.    Members inquired about the extent to which Neighbourhood Support Officers had been involved in the work that the PVR had done with Surrey Police as these officers often know their communities extremely well. The Partnership Manager confirmed that Neighbourhood Support Officers had been involved as a result of the PVR. It was highlighted that involvement from chief officers had also actively been encouraged as a means of embedding this community centred approach amongst officers ensuring that they would get to know residents with learning disabilities and developing an understanding of their needs.

Recommendations:

1.    The Board thanks the witnesses for their contributions today and notes the achievements of the PVR.

2.    Recommends that it receives a report in 12 months to provide an update on the work started by the LD PVR with particular focus on the integration of commissioning with East Surrey CCG including the Joint Health and Social Care Commissioning Strategy, responsibility for individuals who reside outside of Surrey and the other areas of ongoing LD PVR work.

Actions/ further information to be provided:

            None

Board next steps:

            None