Agenda item

To provide an update on the progress of the Adult Social Care (ASC) transformation programmes of work. The report sets out the operational performance indicators which tell a story of transformation, the status of financial benefits delivered and forecast in 2019/20, together with a summary of achievements and key milestones planned for each of the transformation programmes.  This update will be a standing item at future Select Committee meetings

Witnesses:

Liz Uliasz, Deputy Director - Adult Social Care

Sinead Mooney, Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.     The Deputy Director – Adult Social Care introduced the item and highlighted to Members the key themes of the report. Members noted that, following the Local Government Association peer review, the Council had been working closely with the Social Care Institute of Excellence (SCIE) as the Council’s improvement partner. Officers also provided details of the Council’s programmes for Accommodation with Care and Support, Practice Improvement and Integrated Models of Care.

2.     The Select Committee highlight details around Direct Payments in the report and asked what challenges the Council was facing to increase its use. Officers explained that this was part of the Council’s work with SCIE to better understand challenges and that it had been identified that, in some cases, the process was considered to be unwieldy therefore the Council recognised improvements could be made.

3.     The Select Committee requested further detail on the new Learning Disabilities and Autism team and whether the team was sufficiently resourced. Officers confirm that the team’s lead was in post but that there were still some vacancies to recruit to.

4.     Members highlighted that some residents were unhappy with Direct Payments as it reduced the options they had to spend the money they received.

5.     Members asked for clarification on whether the savings outlined in the report would affect service users receiving care. Officers highlighted that eligibility for care was set by the Care Act and that the Council did not intend to reduce care to service users although, if appropriate, care plans could be adapted following a review of need. 

6.     The Select Committee raised concern over the report stating that the Council would use stronger commissioning to make savings while also requesting more from providers. Officers stated that the Council was aware that commissioning could be improved and that an Assistant Manager for Transformation and Commissioning was recently appointed to restructure the Council's commissioning team. The Council would be using strength based commission to ensure providers worked closely with the Council to improve outcomes for residents.

7.     Members noted that the percentage of people referred on to community solutions was low and asked how the Council was promoting this option. Officers informed Members of the Communities and Prevention Team and Social Care Development Coordinators who worked to identify what community facilities were available to support residents. Members stated that it would be beneficial for these teams to work closely with Local Committees. 

8.     The Select Committee requested further information on technology enabled care and asked how this was being integrated into services. Officers confirmed that engagement events had taken place with providers and district and boroughs and that the commissioning team were in the process of putting together a specification to go out to procurement next year to find a provider. Officers further highlighted that it would be beneficial for the Select Committee to consider a full report on the subject once more information was available. 

9.     The Representative from Healthwatch Surrey highlighted that Social Care was within the remit of Healthwatch and that there were frequent meetings with Adult Social Care to discuss resident experiences and whether the right information was available to signpost those in need to the appropriate services. 

10.  Members highlighted that it would be helpful to circulate upcoming commissioning plans to the Select Committee to support future scrutiny. Officers agreed to circulate this outside of the meeting. 

11.  The Select Committee highlighted that it would be beneficial to receive case studies in future reports to better understand residents experiences. 

Recommendations:

1. The Select Committee recommends a dashboard of key indicators are supplied by the Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health and are reviewed and assessed against national performance on a six week basis, and:

1. the Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the Committee form a Performance Sub-Group to receive this update, with the Cabinet Member for Adults and Public Health, to consider the detailed performance indicators and appropriate case studies.

2. the Committee receive a quarterly update of key performance measured.

2. Requests that the Deputy Director for Adult Social Care investigates the opportunity to strengthen relationships with Social Care Development Coordinators and local committees with the intention to work with Members to increase links with community groups.