Agenda item

Mike Hennessey – Service Director Care and Support (Adults)

Mike Hennessey, Service Director, Care and Support (Adults) presented the Adult Social Care Strategic Plan 2016-2020.  Rachel Allbless and Jamie Mahood spoke to the presentation.

Scrutiny were requested to comment on the draft plan and provide suggestions on issues that should be emphasised, added or removed.  Finally, to offer their support for the implementation of the plan.

The Adult Social Care (ASC) Strategic Plan outlines the Council’s vision, approach and priorities for ASC.  The strategy adopts the principles of the three tier model of care and support.  It sets out how the service will:

·        Put in place a new, more cost effective approach to delivering adult social care

·        Provide services within budget

·        Work with partners to provide a more joined up health and social care system

·        Focus on preventative services which help people to remain independent or regain the independence they want and value

·        Reduce demand and focus resources on those who most need them

The following was noted from the discussion that followed:

a.      Members viewed the report as having a cost saving theme from the organisations perspective rather than the service users view point.  Although the presentation provided a more favourable view of the plan.

b.      Members highlighted:

·        The need to identify the level of the standard of care expected

·        Noted that elements of the Mayor’s manifesto was missing from the strategy

·        The practice of ‘social prescribing’ was not mentioned

·        The language in the report fails to reflect an older people’s theme

·        That older people and those in care homes would not be able to access the online self-assessment form.

·        The online service would be prohibitive to those with limited IT skills , disabilities particularly those with sight challenges and English as a second language

c.      The Cabinet Member for People affirmed her support for the plan.  It reflected the need for service users to stay in control of their own health care provision to support the pathway back to independence, following being incapacitated. 

d.      It was acknowledged that the plan’s tone should have more emphasises on service users need for dignity and not just financial savings.

e.      Members were assured that not all assessment would be undertaken on line.  There was an awareness that many care homes did not provide wifi for service users. 

f.       There had been an appointment of a Champion for Autism and worked continued in supporting the appointment of the Champion for Older People.

g.      Worked continued on integration between health care and social care.  The service worked closely with the NHS because it acknowledged that the longer a patient stayed in hospital there was an increased possibility of that patient remaining sicker for longer. 

h.      The developing 3-tier model supported the principle of providing ‘help when you need it’.  Social workers were encouraged to have different conversations with service users that allowed the service user to request solutions.  The aspiration was for movement between the 3 tiers and avoid the need for crisis management.

i.       Members requested further information

·        about the Care Direct service and its functionality. 

·        together with details of Bristol standard of care quality framework and

·        the standard required for commissioned care homes and homecare services. – Action – Rachel Allbless

Resolved:

       i.          That the report authors note Members comments.