Minutes , 08/04/2015 Community Planning and Development
Transcription
Minutes , 08/04/2015 Community Planning and Development
Minutes Community Planning and Development Scrutiny Committee Date: 8 April 2015 Time: 4.00 pm Present: Councillors D Atwell (Chair), T Suller and T Watkins In Attendance: Jonathan Griffiths (Head of Adult & Community Services), Alys Jones (Quality Assurance Manager, Adult and Community Services), Rebecca Dawkins (Interim Carers Development Officer), Beverly Owen (Head of Regeneration, Investment & Housing), Keir Duffin (Community Development Manager), Mike Jones (Housing Regeneration and Property Manager) and Meryl Lawrence (Overview and Scrutiny Officer) Jackie Mills (Newport Carers Forum) Alison Thomas (Newport Carers Forum) Apologies: 1 Councillors V Delahaye, A Morris and J Mudd Declarations of Interest None. 2 Carers Update Consideration was given to an update report upon the third Newport Carers Strategy; a response to the needs expressed by carers and the priorities established by a review of the previous strategy. It reflects all Carer Legislation including the Social Care and Wellbeing (Wales) Bill, the aims set out in One Newport’s Single Integrated Plan and it contains the following vision: • To improve the lives of carers supporting people who live in Newport • All carers in Newport achieve their full potential • All carers in Newport are healthy and thriving In Newport there are approximately 16,604 people who provide unpaid care; that is 11.4% of the population (2011 Census). It is estimated that of these 4,510 people provide 50 or more hours of unpaid care per week (Daffodils projection). The Carers Strategy 2013-2018 has been developed to help to work towards, identifying, recognising and supporting people in their caring role and sets out the agenda for progress for improving the experience of Carers in Newport from 2013 to 2018. The Chair welcomed Jackie Mills and Alison Thomas as representatives from Newport Carers Forum to the meeting and encouraged them to contribute the Carers Forum views upon the report. The following points from Newport Carers Forum were submitted to the Committee: - - - - - The last 12 months has been a difficult time for carers. There has been significant changeover in staff supporting carers which has had a detrimental impact. There has been no capacity to carry out Carers Assessments, leaving these to be completed by Social Workers. The waiting list did stand at 40 people – currently the Carers Forum is aware of 15 urgent cases awaiting assessment, but would like to know the accurate figure of all urgent and non-urgent cases awaiting assessment - we would expect this to be a high number. The Carer Community Connectors are just in place, behind schedule, with high expectations for the impact they will have. However at present it is not clear if continued funding for this has been confirmed. The Carers Forum is concerned at the lack of progress that has been made this year, due to the changes and gaps in staffing and support. The update to the Scrutiny Committee demonstrates progress, but the Carers Forum has seen little evidence of this through the year. Newport Carers Forum have always been involved in the response to the Carers Measure, and sit on the Programme Board. This is a high level meeting, but no senior officer attends from NCC. The Carers Development Officer attends, but if they are not available, NCC is not represented. The Carers Forum would support more regular updates on the strategy to ensure progress is made and monitored throughout the year, rather than just at the end of year point. The Chair asked Officers to respond to the points raised and in response Officers advised that: There had been a number of changes to staff in the Authority, with the substantive post holder on maternity leave, the replacement Officer leaving and then over for a brief period by secondment, but that the post holder was returning to work the next day. In Social Care assessment there had been similar difficulties with vacancies, but that two Officers had been appointed in Community Connector roles, so the figures will improve. It was confirmed that both appointments had received training in carer assessments and have backgrounds in social care, but they had commenced late in the day. Fair funding Care Grant has been continued for a further year, which provides continuity for the Community Connector posts and the Carer Development post, but had not yet been confirmed as recurring funding from Welsh Government. The Quality Assurance Manager is now responsible for managing the Carers Development Officer and attending meetings where Carers are being discussed. In addition, it has been requested that rather than Annual reports to Scrutiny, there would be quarterly reports to Scrutiny and Carers form part of a wider programme. Newport Carers Forum representatives asked why changes were happening without consulting with them e.g. friendship groups in Brynglas House one day, then somewhere else, which is having a huge effect on groups as some people have been going there for 20 years and haven’t had time to adjust to changes? – The Head of Service advised that there is a lot of evidence of carers consultation. For those assessments not assessed in isolation, there’s a parent or relative present. There is discord, due to the reduction in provision of service but in regular contact with some disaffected by those services. While some individuals want to go off and do things, some have got used to spending their time in that centre. Examples were given of friendship groups maintained in different settings, e.g. Community cafes, or a pub to try and keep friendship groups together. The service is trying to develop in community settings, not day care settings, it was recognised that its difficult, but there were some examples of changes over a period of time and some obstacles where there is an unwillingness to accept changes. It was stressed that provision is based upon assessed needs with the duty to deliver as much of the service to those with needs and that it’s a challenge going through difficult times. Comments made included: It was questioned how long was the waiting list for Carers Assessments? – It was clarified that of those asking for an assessment there are 25 on the waiting list in progress and 31 completed. A Carer was waiting for an assessment to complete the form and it was questioned why the form was sent? – It was clarified that there is an option to compete a form, but if it was felt an assessment was needed, then it can be provided. It was questioned when will all assessments be completed? – The Officers had been in post from late February assessing from March and had completed 20 assessments between them to date and there were 22 in progress awaiting a time to call. It was estimated that it would take 4 to 6 weeks to complete, but there would be a rolling programme of work to be carried out in the wider arena around the duty function in the Information Station to support carers. It was questioned whether without continued Carer Grant funding post 2015-16, there would be any posts to undertake this work? – It was explained that funding has been continued for 2015-16 and when the terms of the grant are received it may be that funding is recurring. At present there is a designated social work post for this work, but the 2016 Social Care & Wellbeing Act will require the duty to assess and provide services where needed, by then. It was questioned when the next inspection would take place and any weaknesses that were foreseen? – Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) thematic inspections will next inspect mental health adult services and will look at carers assessments when they look at any field service. Some instances reported back that carers assessment requests were lost where personnel changed. These areas need to be looked at before the next inspection. As 2015-16 funding had been secured if was queries why Financial Comments state: “There is an element of core funding from Newport City Council that is committed as shown and it is also recognised that due to financial pressures this could change”? – It was explained that any core funding the Council has will be subject to a review over the next three years, so it is not possible to say any funding can be safe. It was also clarified that 99.9% of provision in social services is statutory provision. Without the help of Carers the Authority would be in difficulties. It was acknowledged that if Carers decided not to care, the State would be unable to cover all the provision. It was asked whether the Authority uses private Carers, that had been in the News recently for being removed from some Local Authority’s lists? – It was explained that one was a provider local to Powys and one we don’t contract with and also that the Domiciliary Care Contract will be reviewed towards the end of 2015. A Member stressed that Mental Health problems need continuity. The level of involvement by the ABUHB was queried? – It was explained that Carers Measure Strategy Coordinator had been active, and had concentrated on getting other Health colleagues on board over the last 12 to 18 months. The next steps are to train staff together and develop services together. It was clarified that the Health Duty under the Carers measure is to make sure right advice is given to carers while Local Authorities have a duty to assess and provide services. A request had been made for a ABUHB representative to attend the Committee and feedback can be taken back to them. It was clarified that there is evidence of a high volume of requests from the Gwent for assessments but that its sometimes safe to discharge with the support of family, etc. It was queried how Carers are coping and being supported e.g. if a carers assessment is carried out on an individual and they need x, y and z, do they get those needs met? – It was explained that if there’s a need and we provide those services and they can they be met, otherwise there’s unmet need. Concern was expressed about the sharp increase in demand for Carers in the future, how this would be managed and whether it could put extra pressure on carers? - It was explained that the reality of the population in the future, will require meeting need to shift away from acute provision in hospital into the community. That would require a shift in resource from Health based to community provision. There is a great difficulty in accommodating the demand for carers services, working to a reduced budget but increasing pressure for these services. Meeting small number of population in need, versus wider community. Need to continue to push that message forward. There is much progress, but looking forward to seeing the end result. Resolutions and Actions To note the report, provide the Committee’s comments and to receive more regular updates to the Scrutiny Committee. 3 Communities First Consideration was given to a report to monitor progress of the delivery of the Communities First Programme, by the Council as lead delivery body for the programme in Newport for 2013-15. The Community Development Manager gave a presentation upon the impact and key outcomes from the Programme to date. Comments made included: The presentation upon the outcomes portrays the Communities First work done positively because there was clear evidence that the programme was working. In particular the short film demonstrated happy participants, feeling confident to participate and its success. The report is excellent and it’s good to see the good work coming out of it, but there are hard times coming with a five per cent cut in finance, how will we cope with the demand if finance is cut? – With a 5% cut in backroom costs, as become more proficient in running the programme less impact. Only funded for 2015-16 and awaiting the outcome of further funding but hopeful. Shared outcome framework bringing together Flying Start, Families First and Communities First, there’s an expectation from WG of further savings from combination. Also could develop more systems like CEMP database to generate income. With regard to the Tredegar Park cuts, does Communities First work with social housing? – Communities First works closely with Newport City Homes and Seren, with apprenticeships and work base academy. Community benefit links with Registered Social Landlords in future, can’t do it alone need partners. What about Councillors putting pressure on WG for funding and stressing excellent outcomes? – There are difficulties in getting the positive message out there – Newport is in the top three of the 22 Local Authorities. There was concern that the poorly performing will get the funds, not the best performing? - In response, Members were advised that for 2013-14 Lead bodies were told that unspent funding would be withdrawn, so those funds could be recouped and redistributed. Having regard to the onus that Welsh Government places upon Scrutiny, Members proposed that a letter be sent to the Cabinet Member for Social Care & Wellbeing to put pressure on WG to recoup and redistribute the funds allocated but not spent. The report and presentation was very positive and had changed opinion upon Communities First. The number of volunteers: 12,000 in 2014-15 is tremendous and reflects the huge number of people becoming involved in their areas and caring about them. There is a need to get the message out there to those not involved and put a case forward for the redistribution of the unspent funds. Resolutions and Actions To endorse the progress made in the delivery of the Communities First Programme to date and to send a letter from the Committee to the Cabinet Member requesting that WG be encouraged to pursue money allocated but not spent by other Lead delivery bodies within the time set in conditions attached to the funding and consider redistributing those funds. 4 Disabled Facilities Grants The Housing, Regeneration and Property Manager presented a report updating the Committee on the Council’s performance in delivering Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants in the last three years and the target of 239 days set for 2015-16, which is the Welsh average, with an underpinning aim for the service to achieve an actual as close as possible to 206 days, which would place Newport in the upper quartile. The success in reducing the PI has been supported with a change in working practices with Social Services and Housing and a much more joined up process. There is some more work to do in this area and this already being built into the next two year action plan with the intention of reducing Occupational Therapy assessment times further, which if on all cases is able to happen would help reduce the PI considerably. A number of cases were highlighted to demonstrate where performance can be improved further, which is being built into the next two year action plan. There are a number of risks emerging for the DFG service in 2015-16 as a result of the recommendations arising from the recently published Welsh Government commissioned “Review of Independent Living – Adaptations” attached to report as Appendix A. In particular, Recommendation 1 of Review proposes moving towards adoption of universal provision of adaptations without means testing in the long term. The removal of the test of resources would be a game changer and a paper on the implications of all the recommendations will be reported to a future meeting, providing further information on identified risks and how the service plans to mitigate against these issues. Comments made included: How confident can we be of achieving the actual proposed? – Processes have already been amended e.g. where information is requested to support an application two letters are sent over two weeks and if the information is not provided, the file can be closed which removes dead waiting times and can be opened in the future if the information is provided. Additionally, there is tighter management of contractors and if they are unable to deliver timely, they will not be given further work. The failure to maintain staffing levels in the Risk table was questioned? – This referred to early recruitment of a surveyor to cover maternity leave and receive training beforehand for continuity of service. How will the increased workload due to a shift away from provision in hospital into the community be coped with? - More people will come into the community but many of them will have private pensions, etc. which places them above the financial threshold for eligibility for a DFG. Given the volume of individuals in the community, is this provision is cheaper and more preferable to staying in hospital? - An element of it going on now. In the past stair lift grants were provided quite quickly in isolation to get someone out of hospital, but the likelihood is if an individual need one they probably need other things and so need an overall assessment. Are Housing Association responsible for adapting their stock within their own budget? – Housing Associations should do their own adaptations with their own budget, however, if refused tenants still have a right to have it done and if the tenant can’t afford it they have the right to apply to the Council for a DFG. The timescales for the delivery of equipment was raised? – Requests purely for equipment are provided within the social services budget, minor adaptations like handrails take around 10 days. The steer towards reablement and rehabilitation now means fitting more handrails in rather than stair lifts. Statistics suggest that savings are substantial for every pound invested. The processes outlined in the report including changes in working practices should be continued and progressed and introduced into the future Improvement Plan. Resolutions and Actions To note the update provided upon the overview of performance improvement achieved in the delivery of Mandatory DFGs over the last three years and provide the Committee’s comments upon suggestions that could be introduced into the future Improvement Plan. 5 Work Programme Consideration was given to a report on the proposed work programme for the Committee. Resolutions and Actions To endorse the Work Programme and the Agenda content for the next two meetings and request that arrangements be made for Members of the Committee to visit Blaen-Y-Pant and Parklands Residential Homes, in advance of the next Committee meeting to be held on 10 June 2015. The meeting closed at 6.20pm Signed Councillor David Atwell, Chairman COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SCRUTINY COMMITTEE ACTION SHEET – 8 APRIL 2015 TOPIC ACTION RESPONSIBILITY OUTCOME 1 Carers Update To note the report, provide the Committee’s comments and to receive more regular updates to the Scrutiny Committee. Scrutiny Team/JG/AJ To be scheduled in the Work Programme. 2 Communities First To endorse the progress made in the delivery of the Communities First Programme to date and to send a letter from the Committee to the Cabinet Member requesting that WG be encouraged to pursue money allocated but not spent by other Lead delivery bodies within the time set in conditions attached to the funding and consider redistributing those funds. Scrutiny Team /BO/KD Response to be drafted by Chair and shared with KD. 3 Disabled Facilities Grants To note the update provided upon the overview of performance improvement achieved in the delivery of Mandatory DFGs over the last three years and provide the Committee’s comments upon suggestions that could be introduced into the future Improvement Plan Scrutiny Team/BO/MJ Achieved – comments fed back in the minutes. 4 Work Programme To endorse the Work Programme and the Agenda content for the next two meetings and request that arrangements be made for Members of the Committee to visit Blaen Y Pant and Parklands Residential Homes, in advance of the next Committee meeting to be held on 10 June 2015. Scrutiny Team Work Programme updated and potential dates for visits emailed to Members.