Agenda item

Report of the Director of Adult Services and Housing

NOTE: A briefing note containing recommendations from the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Board (5) is appended at page 87

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adult Services and Housing, which described the performance of Adult Social Care and the progress made against the priorities for the year, along with specific examples of operational activities to support service users and carers.

The Cabinet noted that the report had also been considered by the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Board (5) at its meeting held on 14^th September 2022.  A briefing note was appended to the report setting out the following recommendations from the Board, which the Cabinet accepted:

i.  The Board welcomed the production of the report, and noted its value, acknowledging it was not a statutory requirement to produce the Adult Social Care Annual Report;

ii.  Supported the work being undertaken to promote Adult Social Care services to the City's diverse population to ensure services were available where needed;

iii.  That the impact of the growth in demand be monitored as the demand in growth did not correlate with an increase in workforce. The Board raised concerns that this may impact on the quality of care received and needed to be monitored;

iv.  That opportunities to diversify the workforce to reflect the population including at care assistant level be explored;

v.  Assurances were sought that the reasons for the increase in safeguarding enquiries and concerns were being monitored and understood;

vi.  The Board sought assurance regarding the reported performance measures including trends in compliments and complaints.

Although there was not a statutory requirement to produce an annual report, it was considered good practice and provided an opportunity to be open and transparent about the successes and challenges facing Adult Social Care and to show what was being done to improve objectives for those that come into contact with the Council’s services.  The production of an annual report was part of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) approach to Sector Led Improvement.  This approach was launched following the removal of national targets and assessments for Adult Social Care.  The assessment framework was challenging and from April 2023 Adult Social Care would be subject to oversight by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The production of the 2021/22 report had drawn on the pool of feedback and information that was gathered over the year from a range of sources including social care staff, Partnership Boards, Adult Social Care Stakeholder Group, providers, partner organisations and people that had been in contact with Adult Social Care along with their families and carers.  It reflected the performance and activities as the authority emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic and the end of domestic restrictions.

The Annual Report for 2021/22 was provided at Appendix 1 and highlighted key achievements based on the Adult Social Care Offer, which included:

·  Taking a strength-based approach;

·  Helping people to stay at home;

·  Living and aging well;

·  Making the best use of resources;

·  Joined up care and support;

·  Keeping people safe;

·  Carers at the heart of everything the authority do

·  Committed workforce.

The Local Account also looked forward to 2022/23 and included challenges and key areas for development under the headings of Adult Social Care Reform; Adult Social Care Improvement; and Adult Social Care Partnerships.  These were improvements the service intended to make in order to improve service delivery, improve outcomes for people and support the Coucnil’s ability to operate within the resources available.  The priority would be to improve care and support services for adults and to create a stable provider market for the City.  The Cabinet welcomed the inclusion of case studies and commentaries from those who come into contact with Adult Social Care; their families and carers; as well as partner organisations and employees.

RESOLVED that, the Cabinet:

1.  Agree the comments and recommendations from the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Board (5).

2.  Approve the Adult Social Care Annual Report 2021/22 (Local Account) and recommend that Council receive and note the report.