Agenda item

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People)

The Board considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) and received a presentation on the Adult Social Care Annual Report 2016/17 (Local Account) which detailed the performance of Adult Social Care and the progress made against the priorities for the year and specifically considered examples of the operational activities to support service users and carers under the ten themes of the Adult Social Care Vision. A copy of the report was attached at an appendix to the report. The report was due to be considered by the Cabinet Member for Adult Services at her meeting on 5^th October and Councillor Abbott attended the meeting for the consideration of this item. Councillor Ali, Deputy Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport was also in attendance.

The report indicated that it was considered good practice to produce an annual report as it provided the opportunity to be open and transparent about the success and challenges facing Adult Social Care and to highlight what was being done to improve outcomes for those who came into contact with Adult Social Care.

The production of the report had drawn on feedback and information gathered over the year from a range of sources including social care staff, Partnership Boards, Adult Social Care Stakeholder Reference Group, providers and people that had been in contact with Adult Social care. The report was aligned around the Adult Social Care values and principles.

The presentation provided a brief overview of Adult Social Care covering overall purpose, strategy, budget, activity, performance, and working with health. The presentation also identified areas of development which the Board could have involvement with.

The Board were provided with an understanding of Adult Social Care including the Adult Social Care Vision. Reference was made to the basic operating model which highlighted the key stages in the customer journey which took into account the Care Act and statutory duties. Budget and expenditure for the past five years were set out along with the comparison spend of neighbouring local authorities and the regional and England average spend on Adult Social Care for 2015/16. 

Attention was drawn to the total number of people supported and to the average number of caseloads for employees. A summary of trends indicated that across the service the number of people receiving support was fairly stable, reducing slightly; people were generally more dependent so the amount of support required while they were living at home was higher; the cost of services was increasing, e.g. living wage; and the cost of residential and nursing home care was increasing resulting in the Council paying more enhancements to ensure suitable placements.

Information was provided on recent performance with a comparison with other West Midlands Authorities. Figures for Coventry for 2016/17 showed an improvement against 14 indicators, static across 4 and a decrease in 8. The presentation also referred to the workforce, the workforce strategy and annual implementation plan was being finalised and there was a focus on workforce planning, professional development and practice quality assurance. The Board was informed that there was a good retention of adult services social work staff and a strong ability to recruit social work staff. Additional information was provided on quality assurance.

The presentation referred to the Better Care Fund and the spending plan that for additional monies agreed by the Council and the CCG. Reference was made to the CQC Local System Review Review which involved 12 of the most challenging systems across a range of indicators being reviewed and included Coventry. Coventry’s review period commenced 4^th December with the main on-site week being 22^nd January, 2018.

The presentation concluded with four improvements initiatives which were highlighted as potential agenda items for the Board.

The Board questioned the officers on a number of issues and responses were provided, matters raised included:

·  What could the Board do to help to improve the system

·  Were there likely to be significant funding problems for adult social care in the future

·  The involvements of Councillors in the CQC inspection process

·  An appreciation of the work behind the 80% retention rate for social workers

·  What could be done to improve the take up of self-assessments online

·  What could be done to reduce the small number of delayed transfers of care cases that were down to the City Council

·  A suggestion that the Annual Report should make mention of the significant reduction in funding down from £86m in 2011/12 to £74m in 2016/17

·  The lack of availability of data relating to reduces waiting lists and response times for assessments

·  Further information about short term respite care following discharge from hospital.

RESOLVED that:

(1) The content of the excellent report and presentation be noted.

(2) Consideration be given to further reports on the following being submitted to future Board meetings:

i) Delayed Transfers of Care

ii) Improving Support – enablement approach for adults with disabilities

iii) Improved Customer Service – reviewing the customer journey and expanding digital technologies

iv) Improving the system – opportunities arising from the Better Care Fund and the CQC local system.

(3) Arrangements be put in place for a Scrutiny Board (5) workshop/ formal meeting to consider a) Improving Standards – quality assurance and workforce development and b) the Better Care Fund.