Agenda item

Attending for this Item were:

Elaine Carolan, Strategic Commissioner for Adult Services

Emma Allen, Commissioning Manager

Adrian Hardman, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Adult Social Care

A presentation was given outlining the background, purpose and next steps in the engagement process on options for future delivery of Learning Disability (LD) Day Services.

Members were reminded that Cabinet received a report on 2 November 2017 and agreed that Officers could start engagement with people using services, carers, staff and other stakeholders to shape future services.  It was clarified that this was pre-consultation, that no firm proposals had been developed and a report on the engagement phase would be taken back to Cabinet in due course.

Worcestershire County Council provide Learning Disability Day Services in a number of ways, mainly:

-       Resource Centres (for those with profound learning disabilities)

-       Connects Service (Day Centres, Staff Ratio is around 1:7)

-       Leisure Link (small service in Wyre Forest)

This model was adopted following detailed consultation from December 2012, through to completion in 2016, although at the July 2014 Cabinet it was agreed to look at tendering out in-house Learning Disability Day Services.  Market engagement had shown there was limited appetite to take on services in their current form and the Council need to get best value for money from the Council's budget.  It was noted that what people want and expect from their services has changed over time and there is variety in the marketplace, although in-house provision tends to be building based.

Engagement was already taking place and would continue until early March, with meetings taking place at each centre/service.  Speakeasy Now was supporting the engagement with service users and wider engagement was being undertaken at forums and consultative groups around the County.

It was reported that Resource Centres cost £2.1m and estimated to be £280,000 more than it would cost to purchase similar services from external providers.

The Connects Service costs a total of £1.8m (£1.2m for the LD Day Service) and estimated to be £480,000 more than it would cost to purchase similar day services from external providers.

Examples of the types of questions asked as part of the engagement process were given to the Panel, enabling Officers to determine what works well, what doesn't, how things could be done differently and where the gaps are.  It was noted that it was also important to factor in any local need.

After analysis of the engagement phase, a detailed report would be taken back to Cabinet, with any proposals for future service delivery and proposals for any required formal consultation.

In the ensuing discussion, the following main points were made:

·         The Panel felt that residents were generally confused due to the volume of engagement or consultation programmes that the County Council had undertaken over recent years, however, hoped that this programme would build on previous positive engagement in LD Day Services in 2014

·         The Cabinet Member reported that the number of individuals involved in the engagement was around 200, compared to 240 four years ago  

·         In response to a query, it was clarified that although all forms of representation would be considered, Officers would be working closely with service users and their families to be clear about the purpose of the engagement and the options for future delivery

·         It was important that individuals had the opportunity to have a meaningful day and the breadth of opportunities had risen over recent years, including employment and volunteering placements.  The 'Your Life, Your Choice' website ( https://ylyc.worcestershire.gov.uk/) had grown since its launch and Providers were able to promote opportunities available

·         Officers reported that Resource Centre Staff had suggested that families may be willing to pay for extra provision, however, it was difficult to factor what impact that would have on staff ratios for example

·         At the conclusion of the engagement programme and after all responses had been considered, a report would be taken to Cabinet.  If any consultation was planned as a result of any decision, Members learned that it would be a full 12 week consultation

·         Representatives from Speakeasy Now were invited to comment and reported that there were many more opportunities available to individuals now, especially in the workplace.  In addition, as people become older their needs change and this must be a consideration for future planning

·         In response to a query, the Panel learned that Speakeasy Now was a user led charity, whose work was recognised nationally, especially for their engagement work and the voice of the service user

·         The Chairman of Healthwatch Worcestershire was invited to comment and added that it was clear that stakeholders worked well together, but the structure and timing of the engagement was key.  He also offered the support of Healthwatch to the engagement programme.

The Panel agreed to keep under review the engagement programme and subsequent Cabinet report and asked for an update at an appropriate time.

In addition, the Panel suggested, and Officers agreed, that all Members should be made aware of the programme of engagement events taking place across the County and be invited to attend as an observer and provide feedback to the Panel Chairman.