Agenda item

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report that provided an update on performance and key issues relating to Adult Social Care commissioning. Councillor Brian Ford, the Cabinet Member for Adults, referred to the Decision Note Paper on the Calming Café in Swindon being submitted for his sign-off.  He advised that Section 136 (mental health) provision was important for both commissioners and providers in ensuring that through their collaborative work, patient’s range of needs are met.

The Director of Adult Social Services explained that the report had been structured to highlight the strengths and challenges of the work undertaken.  The following key issues were drawn to members’ attention:

·         The budget surplus in light of the challenges faced by the department.

·         The reduction in the delayed transfer of care cases.

·         Redesigning the learning disability services, focusing on aligning spend with similar funding allocated by similar authorities.

·         Addressing the adult safeguarding challenges identified by the safeguarding service audit and performance management exercise recently undertaken.

·         Supporting providers of care homes to drive up provision quality.

·         The successful reduction of smoking in Swindon that was achieved through a range of strategies.

·         The work of the “Front Door” services that prolong people’s independence through improving first point of contact /front door services.

·         The Reablement Service and Fessey House programme commended in the HSJ (Health Service Journal) 2018 Value Awards for supporting people living independently at home following an episode of care.

·         The effective management of admission to residential and nursing care.  

Following the introduction of the report, the Director of Adult Services, with the Cabinet Member for Adults responded to members’ questions and comments on the following issues:

·         The commissioning of mental health services from the AWP and voluntary sector providers.

·         The number of disabled people seeking employment.

·         Expenditure across learning disability services, particularly for out of borough placements.

·         The protocols in place to safeguard individuals.

·         Actions undertaken to improve the quality of services provided in care homes.

·         Monitoring individuals’ quality of life when living independently. 

·         The reduction in the number of referrals received by the safeguarding team.

·         Addressing obesity and how the “Beat the Street” initiative helps the whole community by promoting walking, cycling and running for the entire family.

·         Data on smoking provided by Public Health England.

Resolved – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Corporate Director Adult Social Services and Health be requested to circulate information to the Committee regarding the national Quality of Life survey, before the next meeting of the Committee.

(3) That the Corporate Director Adult Social Services and Health be requested to circulate to the Committee the Adult’s Annual Complaints & Compliments Report before the next meeting of the Committee.

          (4) That the Director of Health arrange the attendance of a representative from the voluntary sector at the next meeting of the Committee in order for them to discuss joint working with the Council.

          (5) That the Executive Nurse of Swindon CCG be requested to include information on the “Calming Café” in her next performance report to the Committee.