Issue - meetings

The Panel considered the report of the Service Lead, Adult Social Care Improvement outlining current performance in Adult Social Care and providing an update on implementation of a new operating model.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Care was in attendance and addressed the meeting. 

The Panel noted the improvements in the quality of the dataset provided whilst recognising that opportunities exist to improve the qualitative information available.

The Panel questioned the rise in the average cost of care packages.  The rise was attributed to the increased use of connected care and the new strengths based service model by those who have less complex needs.  The Panel were informed that this therefore resulted in those requiring care packages having the more complex, and subsequently, more expensive requirements.

The Cabinet Member re-confirmed that it was a priority of the Executive to increase the take up of Direct Payments and to improve outcomes by prioritising the use of new technologies and connected care initiatives.

The Panel were also informed about wellbeing clinics.  It was explained that the clinics were designed so that people could obtain information, advice and short term support within in the heart of their communities instead of going through a time consuming, local authority assessment process for services.  The first clinic was launched on the 11 September 2018 as a pilot with a view to supporting people to remain independent for as long as possible. 

RESOLVED: that the Panel:

  (i)  requested that within the Adult Social Care dataset a consideration is given to including a measure that identifies the number / percentage of adults with learning disabilities that are undertaking voluntary work;

  (ii)  suggested that, in order to reflect how the service ‘feels’ to users,  a consideration is given to presenting qualitative information in addition to the Adult Social Care dataset; and

  (iii)  requested that the following information is circulated to the Panel:

·  Adult social care staff turnover rates; and

·  Data on the number / % of homecare visits lasting 15 minutes or less.