Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable pecuniary or other relevant interests declared.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 October, 2013 were agreed and signed as a true record. There were no matters arising.

Report of the Executive Director, People

Cabinet Member received a report of the Executive Director, People, which presented the findings of a Coventry Safeguarding Adults Board Serious Case Review, and had been presented to Health and Social Care Scrutiny Board (5) on 18 December 2013.  In addition, Cabinet Member received a briefing note of the Scrutiny Coordinator, which provided the outcomes from consideration by the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Board (5).

This Serious Case Review (SCR) followed the death of Mrs D, a woman in her late 80s, in the summer of 2011. Following a full safeguarding investigation, the Chair of the Coventry Safeguarding Adults Board directed that a Serious Case Review be undertaken as a result of the circumstances of Mrs D's death and the events leading up to it. This review was chaired by the designated local authority senior manager, written by an independent author and supported by a multi-agency panel of senior practitioners, including representatives from Coventry City Council, NHS Coventry (and subsequently Coventry & Rugby Clinical Commissioning Group), Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust and West Midlands Police. Mrs D's General Practitioner also made a significant contribution to the review.

The Scrutiny Board had considered a Report and Executive Summary of the SCR their meeting held on 18 December 2013. The Board were supported in their scrutiny of this matter by the Executive Director, People, acting also in his capacity as Chair of the Coventry Safeguarding Adults Board. They were also supported by several members of the Safeguarding Adults Board including representatives of key agencies covered by the SCR as well as the independent author of the review. 

The Cabinet Member discussions centred on the need to address actions and lessons in respect of the Council’s community care processes.  Members were concerned that nuances perceived during assessments were investigated fully.  They felt that robust, regular training would be a strong and positive influence in achieving the aim of ensuring that vulnerable people are properly assessed within their individual circumstances.  The also agreed that input to training from peer groups would be highly advantageous.

RESOLVED that after due consideration of the report and matters raised at the meeting, Cabinet Member endorsed:

a)  The contents of the report and the recommendations made by Health and Social Care Scrutiny Board (5)

·  That the Action Plan outlined in the Serious Case Review be approved

·  That the Scrutiny Board has requested an additional briefing from the Executive Director, People, on the implementation of the Action Plan contained in the Report. The Board has asked for this to be scheduled for a Scrutiny Board meeting in the early summer

b)  That consideration be given to the involvement of older people in providing training and professional development for health and social care staff across the council and the broader city in the issues and conclusions presented by Mrs D’s SCR, and progress reported back to the Cabinet Member.

There were no additional items of public business.