Agenda item

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People)

Further to Minute 50/18 the Cabinet Member considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) which sought permission to extend the existing Section 75 Partnership Agreement with Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust (CWPT) for the delivery of integrated mental health services.  Functions Delegated to the Trust and Operational delivery documents were appended to the report.

The City Council entered into a Section 75 agreement on 1 April 2014 following Cabinet approval initially for a three-year period but with provision for annual extensions.  The agreement was extended from 1 April 2017 for a period of 12 months and again in April 2018 and 2019 and this report sought permission for a further extension of this agreement for an additional 24 months until 31 March 2022.

The Section 75 Partnership Agreement provided the legal framework to underpin joint working in Adult and Older People's Mental Health Services.  Under this framework, joint Health and Social Care teams delivered mental health services from a single line management structure led by CWPT with designated Council staff seconded, with specific social care duties delegated to CWPT.  Although the service delivery elements were integrated, the financial responsibilities for health and social care remained separate, with this separation to continue under the extended agreement.

The Section 75 provided a vehicle to deliver integrated working practices as a means for delivering joined-up support to people with mental ill health across Coventry and Warwickshire. 

Over the period of the previous extensions a review of the agreement was undertaken.  In summary, the review concluded that whilst there were pressures within the service that need consideration, in order to enable staff and managers to deliver the integrated health and social care service and maximise the unique contribution each professional brings, it remained the most appropriate way at present to deliver mental health services in the City.

The matters that arose within the review that needed to be addressed prior to committing to a new and longer-term arrangement included:

1.Updating safeguarding services in accordance with the Section 75

2. Streamlining systems and processes in integrated services

3. Strengthening strategic governance of the arrangements

4. Services outside of the Section 75

In making the recommendation to extend the current arrangement an options appraisal considered a number of key areas under the broad headings of quality, strategic fit and finance.

Should the extension be approved then during this period the longer term demand and capacity issues would be considered for mental health services alongside the expectations of the NHS long term plan in respect of Mental Health services.

To extend the Section 75 agreement, agreement from CWPT would be required and the item would be considered by their board on 26th March 2020. It was strongly anticipated that the extension of 24 months would be well received by CWPT Board as it aligned with agreements.

The Cabinet Member and Shadow Cabinet Member discussed with officers joint working, finance and mental health support in partnerships.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Adult Services approve extending the existing Section 75 partnership arrangement to provide Integrated Health and Social Care Secondary Mental Health Care Services commencing 1 April 2020 for a 24-month period until 31 March 2022.