Agenda item

To receive a report which provided information regarding the recent Care Inspectorate Wales Inspection carried out on Denbighshire Domiciliary Support Service (copy attached).

The Chair stressed he was very pleased to read the report and its findings.

The Lead Member for Health and Social Care introduced the paper to the Committee (previously circulated). She explained to Members the uplifting report detailed the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) inspection report on the domiciliary support provision provided in Denbighshire.

The inspection had taken place in August 2023. It was pleasing to stress the positive nature and uplifting comments noted within the report. The report had been divided into three areas; wellbeing, care and support and leadership all of which received encouraging comments. The report did not identify any areas of improvement for the service. She offered her congratulations to the whole team and service in Denbighshire.

The Corporate Director: Social Services and Education, introduced Katie Newe, Service Manager - Client Services and the authorities Responsible Individual. The report made specific reference to that specific statutory role. Katie was also responsible for the residential care homes in Denbighshire. Inspections had also taken place by CIW on residential care homes had taken place within the last 18 months which had also been a positive read.

The Service Manager - Client Services stressed with any inspection the team were nervous and unsure on what the outcome would be. The success of all the inspections that had taken place were testament to the managers and staff all of whom are committed to offering a high level of care and quality support to the residents of Denbighshire.

Within the domiciliary support service there was around 57 cares, this figure does fluctuate. Members were aware of the recruitment to care crisis. Staff members were often asked to swap shifts, pick up work and was often a challenge to ensure the service met the need of the citizens. An array of support was offered within the service including health and social care workers, re-enablement workers, complex care works and care and support workers.

The inspection was the first completed under the new legislation. It was the first inspection for extra care. The inspection took place over 2 days, a desk top inspection and a site visit.

Although no areas of improvement were identified, the service looked at the review and looked at areas they could improve and make changes to improve the service.

Members heard the Responsible Individual role was for all providers of registered services. The intention of the role was to ensure there was an individual within the service that was legally accountable for the service. It was a big responsibility for the individual to hold. Within Denbighshire County Council there was a quality assurance policy which was developed to reflect all the requirements of the regulation.

The Chair on behalf of the Committee congratulated all involved in the service for the positive inspection and previous inspections. He stressed given the challenges faced in the service the positive report was a testament to the hard work all officers contributed.

Members heard the importance of offering the service through the language of each citizen was very important. It formed part of the support provided to each citizen.

The Monitoring Officer informed the committee, the authority had introduced recruitment controls, which required the majority of vacancies to be presented to the Corporate Executive Team for approval prior to advertisement. In respect to the voluntary exit scheme, it had been made clear that all staff can express an interest but not all would be granted to leave. There were two principal criteria that had to be taken into consideration; one being could the service afford to cope without that role and the second financial figures. The Head of Service for each service would be required to submit a recommendation on each individual member of staff if it was a role that could be made vacant.

The report had been shared with all staff following the inspection. It had been circulated at the time of being received and discussed in team meetings and one to one meetings. Officers stressed the service was under pressure from the challenges of recruitment and retention but were extremely grateful for the dedication and hard work of each individual within the service.

Officers also praised the work of voluntary care workers. A lot of care and support was offered to citizens prior to their need for paid care.

The report was published and made publicly available on CIW website. Officers confirmed they would discuss with the Lead Member and discuss with the communications team to promote the service.

The Chair concluded the discussion and thanked all for the discussion.

RESOLVED that the Committee confirmed it had read, understood and taken account of the contents of the report.