Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury, Cabinet Member  for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, introduced Katie O’Driscoll, Director of Adult Social Care who gave an overview of the Adult Social Care (ASC) Preparation for Inspection Report which details the service activity in readiness for regulation by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This relates to how local authorities will be assessed against how it meets its duties under s1 Care Act 2014. The report outlines the CQC assessment framework, which is divided into four themes; how we work with people, how we support people, safety within the system and leadership.

Further to questions from the Sub-Committee, Katie O’Driscoll and Warwick Tomsett, Acting Corporate Director, Health Adults and Community;

·       Clarified that both the permanent workforce and retention rate is good. A written brief on the current number of ASC locums will be forwarded to sub-committee members for review.

·       Explained that as many residents are technically skilled, they may prefer to complete online self-assessments and as part of the Care Act want to provide other opportunities to adults to access assessments, once the system is operational.  The completed details will be sent directly to ASC for review, so information, advice and eligibility can be considered.

·       Confirmed that as part of an annual review process, residents are also asked about the quality of the care provision they receive, to ensure appropriate support is being provided. There are plans for the quality monitoring team in the Integrated Commissioning service who currently visit residents in domiciliary care to also visit residential and nursing care residents.

·       Explained that residents are assessed for eligibility as per the Care Act 2014. Those that do not meet the criteria are still supported with advice, information and signposted to appropriate services which meet their needs or provided relevant preventative service. This may include a Reablement intervention, equipment or home adaptations. If an adult is assessed as eligible for care support,  this is subject to the charging policy and financial assessments are undertaken. The move to free home care is scheduled to commence in April 2024.

·       Confirmed that interpreters or advocates are presents at assessments or review meetings if required  to ensure their needs are expressed.

·       Conceded that the rate of those eligible for care and support using Direct Payments is low. A review is ongoing to resolve issues and make direct payments more easily accessible. Further details on a workstream, part of the transformation programme can be brought back to the sub-committee for review if required.

·       Indicated that further work is required to support residents who are discharged from hospital to improve outcomes in supporting them.

·       Clarified that a good partnership exists between a range of council ASC services and NHS in commissioning those services. Full details on these including the quality and performance can be forwarded to the sub-committee for review.

Following comments from Officers, the sub-committee;

·       Thanked the officers for the presentation and work undertaken for the CQC inspection and the support given to  residents requiring care.

·       Requested officers update the sub-committee with the findings and any recommendations of the report at a future meeting in the municipal year 2023/24.