Agenda item

To inform Scrutiny Committee of the work undertaken by Adult Services on a day to day basis to allow effective scrutiny to take place of the service.

Councillor Cain, Cabinet Secretary (Resilient Communities), Councillor Collett, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Reducing Health Inequalities and Adult Safeguarding and Miss Karen Smith, Deputy Director of People (Adult Services) were in attendance to answer questions on the Adults Services Overview Report.

The Committee queried whether the Hospital Discharge Team had had an impact on reducing the numbers of delayed discharges. It was noted that there were a number of new teams in development including the extensive care service, the early supported discharge team and enhanced primary care service, led by the NHS. The Adults Social Care service had been working closely with these teams in order to ensure needs were met quickly, however, change had occurred too recently to advise if any impact had been made.

The Committee highlighted that there had been some confusion regarding young people aged 16 – 17 years and queried whether they came under Adult or Children Safeguarding. It was noted that 16 – 17 year olds were classed as children for safeguarding purposes, but that officers worked together to ensure a smooth transition from Children to Adult Services.

Members noted that the initial phase of implementation of the Care Act 2014 had focussed on practice in relation to assessments, care planning and deferred payments and queried whether the implementation had been successful. Miss Smith advised that she was pleased with the first stage implementation and that all providers, social workers, practitioners and partners had received relevant training.

In response to a question, Miss Smith advised that a national campaign would publicise the changes to the public.

Members asked for progress on the preparation for the second phase of implementation of the Care Act 2014 and were advised that the management of care accounts were subject to tests, as well as work taking place with other Councils to ensure learning was shared. In response to a follow up question, Mrs Smith advised that less than 20 people were in receipt of the Independent Living Fund in Blackpool.

The Committee discussed the Best Interest Inspections and the impact of these on the workload of social workers. It was reported that all social workers of a relevant grade had been trained as best assessors and that one worker had been designated as a dedicated Best Interest Assessor. Miss Smith advised that she felt workers were doing well to manage and prioritise workloads in difficult times.

Members queried the significant number of safeguarding alerts that had been unsubstantiated, inconclusive or ceased at the request of the individual and requested a further breakdown of this information for future meetings. Miss Smith advised that the Council would discuss with individuals why they wished to cease the investigation, but that the wishes of the individuals must be taken into account, however, if there was a risk to others this would also be considered.

Members further queried the difference between a ‘safeguarding alert’ and an ‘incident only’ and were advised that an ‘incident only’ was an issue resulting in some level of harm but was either unlikely to re-occur or had not caused significant harm to the degree where further or multi-agency investigation process was necessary and where a resolution for the individual could be reached. In response to a further question Miss Smith advised that if a pattern of separate incidents occurred the issue could be redesignated as a safeguarding alert.

The Committee expressed concern that the Blackpool Adults Safeguarding Board had not yet appointed a Chairman. It was noted that adverts had been placed twice to appoint to this position, but the right candidate had not yet been identified. A Board Manager had been appointed and the Adults Safeguarding Board was moving towards closer working with the Children’s Board to maximise impact in families and communities.

The Committee queried the progress that had been made in relation to the recruitment of individual service users and carers to the membership of the Adults Safeguarding Board’s sub groups and was informed that this had not yet been followed up as it was essential to have a Chairman of the Board in place before any further development took place.

Members noted an aspiration was that all contracted providers paid the living wage. Councillor Cain advised that that was one of the projects that the Cabinet Assistant would be developing. In response to a further question, Miss Smith added that the Council was working with providers to help them identify recruitment and retention issues.

The Committee queried at what stage ‘enhanced performance monitoring’ of residential homes would lead to suspension. Miss Smith advised that suspension may occur if the provider was not compliant with Care Quality Commission standards in a number of areas or if the Council had significant concerns. The suspension might be put in place to allow the Council to understand what the provider was doing to improve the situation. Weekly performance monitoring meetings were held with providers in order to ensure they were fit for purpose.

The Committee agreed to request that an update on the living wage project be presented to the next meeting of the Committee.

Background Papers: None.