Agenda item

In attendance for this item were:

Avril Wilson, Interim Director of Adult Services

Fran Kelsey, Lead Commissioning Manager for Learning Disabilities

Amanda Blackton and Emma Allen, Commissioning Managers

The Chairman explained that the Panel had requested an update on plans for Learning Disability Day Services and Replacement Care, following earlier updates on pre-consultation engagement, and the subsequent decisions by Cabinet on 14 June.

The Lead Commissioning Manager talked through the main points from the presentation which had been circulated to the Panel (available on the Council's website), which included the recommendations approved by Cabinet.

Regarding Day Services the plans endorsed by Cabinet were around developing services further to ensure maximum value for money by working together with service providers. Officers were looking at remodelling the 12 Week Connect Service to sit with social workers, following feedback about the value of the service and how it contributed to the new 3 Conversation model for social work.

However, the low numbers using the Wyre Forest Connect long-term Learning Disability Day Service, meant it was unsustainable.  Officers had therefore commenced formal consultation with service users and carers on the proposal to close the Service,  the re-provision of services for the individuals, as well as assessing the impact of losing two other services which were based in the same building at Blackwell Street, Kidderminster.

Formal staff consultation had commenced on the permanent relocation of Connect Droitwich, previously based at Kingfields in Droitwich, to the Wendron Centre in Bromsgrove.

Regarding Replacement Care, there had been a huge amount of feedback on the value of the service and it was well evidenced that it saved the Council money through avoiding the need for more expensive services. Cabinet had therefore endorsed the intention to remodel the way services were provided in order to meet eligible care needs whilst ensuring maximum value for money, and a task group had been set up to take this forward, alongside work with the Children and Families Directorate.

There would be a further report to Cabinet in November regarding plans for Day Services and Replacement Care. The Panel requested an update to its 6 November Panel, in order to provide scrutiny on the plans.

Main discussion points

·         Panel members asked for more detail about the changes involved in aligning the 12 Week Connect Service with the new 3 Conversation model of social work, and how this would change the work of staff? It was explained that the change was organisational and would involve updating the service specification, looking at expected outcomes and feedback from recent engagement and checking for duplication. Staff would need to be consulted but in reality not a great deal would change, since their work was already very effective and in many ways already reflected the 3 Conversation approach.

·         Regarding information about choices, it was explained that people were informed about services available to them through discussion with social workers, in liaison with the family. There was a wide range of day services, many of them small such as care farms. The aim was for choice and increasingly people opted to do different things on different days.

·         Commissioners worked to stimulate the market through provider forums and tried to encourage potential providers. In order to take on a Council-funded individual, a provider needed to visit the Council's online tendering system, which was quite detailed because of the required information on quality, finance and outcomes. This then enabled the Council to quality assure.

·         The Panel sought reassurance that there were alternative, local services available to those attending the Wyre Forest Day Service which was proposed to be closed and it was confirmed that Kidderminster had a wide range of options in contrast to some other areas, which were being discussed with the families involved.

·         The other two services currently based at Blackwell Street were a front desk drop-in, and a personal care suite – neither of these were a statutory duty for the Council, although their impact would be considered as part of the wider work

·         A Panel member who worked with people with learning disabilities spoke about the increased choice of good quality services available, which may point to less need for council-provided services. He felt that Connect Day Services were marvellous, but were likely to be more expensive.

·         The officers clarified that Connect Droitwich had not 'gone', but would be incorporated into the Bromsgrove provision at the Wendron Centre.

·         It was explained that Replacement Care, also known as respite or short breaks, was for people living with their family. Replacement Care provided an overnight break for the individuals concerned, which also gave their families a break from caring. The Panel was aware that the Service was an absolute lifeline for everyone involved.

·         A Panel member was interested to know more about and to visit Day Services in their area, and the Director offered to provide a map of provision, including Council-contracted and other services. The Directorate would also be more than happy to arrange visits.

·         It was clarified that the Task Group established to work on Replacement Care was an operational group (involving Council officers, providers etc), and that wider engagement would involve the Learning Disability Partnership Board, Worcestershire Association of Carers and Speakeasy N.O.W.  The Panel was mindful of historical struggles to engage with carers, however the officers reassured the Panel that the pre-consultation approach had worked very well, with meetings being well attended and carers had also been able to email or telephone in.

·         A member asked for a flavour of the ideas generated through engagement, and were advised that they were around how people used services, flexibility, attending the right service, locations and also transport organisation and cost

·         The Director explained that the eligibility criteria for care was set out in the Care Act and was quite clear, with accompanying guidance. It was more complex to assess someone's day to day needs with learning disabilities than say, older people or someone with physical disabilities but staff were well placed and guarded against a 'tick box' approach.

·         A Panel member asked whether those attending Day Services worked towards formal qualifications.  The officers advised that they tried to encourage promoting independence, rather than just activities, which could potentially open up opportunities for paid employment, with help from the Council's Supported Employment team. Connect Worcester had some real success stories with helping people into paid work. The member pointed out the value of promoting these successes and the officers agreed to provide some examples.

·         Comment was invited from the Healthwatch Worcestershire Chair, who reported no problems with the proposals; it was a difficult area but in general was supported. Healthwatch had no issues with the direction of work but flagged up the need to focus on safeguarding.

The Chairman thanked the officers and Healthwatch Chair for attending, and reiterated the Panel's request for a further update ahead of the report back to Cabinet in November.

The officers would provide the information requested which included a map of provision of Day Services and Replacement Care and examples of successes relating to paid employment. Consideration would be given to organising site visits.