Agenda item

To consider a report by the Early Intervention, Strategy and Support Service Manager (copy enclosed) which provides Council with the self assessment of social care in Denbighshire and identifies improvement priorities for 2013/2014.

 

A copy of a report by the Early Intervention, Strategy and Support Services Manager, which provided a self-assessment of social care in Denbighshire and identified improvement priorities for 2013/2014, had been circulated with the agenda.

 

The Corporate Director: Modernisation and Wellbeing (CDMW) provided an in depth summary of the report and explained that every Director of Social Services in Wales would be required to produce an Annual Report summarising their view of the effectiveness of the Authority’s Social Care Services and Priorities for Improvement.  A draft Annual Report for 2012/2013 had been included as Appendix 1.  The report provided the public with an honest picture of services in Denbighshire and demonstrated a clear understanding of the strengths and challenges faced.

 

The CDMW referred to Children’s Services and emphasised the importance of the report in the light of recent media coverage, particular reference being made to the Jillings and Waterhouse Reports which related to child abuse in children’s homes, and she provided details in respect of:-

 

-               The many legislative and regulatory changes affecting Children’s Services.

-               Waterhouse recommendations having become part of the legislative framework for Wales, and instigating the creation of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales.  

-               Improvements relating to the delivery of Children’s Services.

-               Early intervention to address problems and the importance of listening to children.

-               Intensive Family Support Services.

-               Consultation undertaken with Care Workers with regard to the Leadership and Management Strategy.

-               Intensive training provided for foster carers.

-               The importance of safeguarding children.

-               Achieving stable placements for children, through the provision of stable and caring homes.

-               The top priorities for Children’s Services for 2013-14 had been included on pages 18 and 19 of the Annual Report.

 

The CDMW provided details in respect of Adult Services and the following areas were highlighted:-

 

-               Progress with regard to the Social Service and Well-being Bill.  The main implications of the Bill, which related to Wales, correlated mainly to Adult Services, but also encompassed Children’s Services.

-               A need for change in the method of provision of Adult Services, emanating from the expectations of the public who now required more choice and control through the promotion of independence.

-      An increase in the number of people with learning disabilities and in carers.

-               Positive feedback received regarding the provision of Intervention Services, reablement, extra care and work undertaken in the community.

-               Progress made with citizen directed support.

-               The planned utilisation of ring fenced funding within Social Services.

-               Improvements required around the area of sickness absence in Children and Adult Services.

-               The need to further develop the delivery of services through the medium of Welsh being a high and increasing priority.

-               Problems emanating from the demographic backdrop and an aging population.

 

A summary of the following four components within the Annual Council Reporting Framework (ACRF) was provided for Members:-

 

(i)            A detailed self-assessment and analysis of effectiveness

(ii)       Evidence trail

(iii)         Integration with business planning

(iv)         Publication of an annual report

 

In line with the guidance governing the ACRF process the Annual Report had been produced for the public and would published by the 31^st July, 2013.  The overall assessment demonstrated that Denbighshire Social Services had succeeded in making real improvements in respect of the following areas in terms of both performance and quality over the past year:-

 

·                     supported families successfully at an early stage to help prevent problems escalating

·                     provided early support and helped people to regain their confidence and ability to care for themselves e.g. after a fall.  

·                     supported people to live independently in the community and reduced the number of people admitted into Care Homes

·                     provided looked after children with stable and caring homes

·                     safeguarded children and vulnerable adults effectively

·                     worked in partnership with other authorities and agencies

·                       a stable workforce who are supported with their professional development

·                     strong leadership driving forward the agenda

·                     improved quality assurance processes

·                     robust financial management which has delivered services within budget

 

There had been some real challenges for both Adult and Business and Children’s Services and Appendix 2 provided an overview of the challenges and the responses provided.  The improvement priorities contained within the Annual Report recognised the need to continue to adapt and modernise services in order to respond to the expectations and requirements of the Welsh Government’s Social Services and Wellbeing Bill.

 

Key features of Denbighshire’s approach to proactively remodel, and develop new service patterns to improve local services included:-

 

·                                the development of enhanced family support services with a 7 day per week waking hour family support service;

·                                strengthened transition support to young people with disabilities who were moving from children services to adults services;

·                                implementation of the IFSS (Integrated Family Support Service) model;

·                                the development of additional Extra Care;

·                                developing a three-year plan to develop services to support carers;

·                                additional investment in reablement and approaches to support people to live independently without the need for ongoing social care;

·                                reduced sickness absence, a higher percentage of performance appraisals completed and improved response times for complaints.

 

The future of Denbighshire’s services would need to look different and the commitment to modernisation would involve an increased investment in preventative and early intervention services to enable citizens to be independent, resilient and able. The approach would need to be underpinned by a range of services, activities and support networks which people could access in their own community.   The delivery of the agenda would require cross-council/service and cross-sector solutions including community led initiatives.

 

It had been recognised that remodeling and developing new services and approaches would involve some unpopular adjustment.  However, the financial climate would mean that tough decisions could not be avoided and there would be a need to focus on implementing changes which deliver cost effective, sustainable services that ensure vulnerable people were protected and receive high quality services which provide dignity in care and good outcomes.

           

Priorities detailed within the ACRF would contribute to priority 4: vulnerable people are protected and are able to live as independently as possible and examples had been included in the report, together with, details of the consultation process undertaken, how costs could affect other services, financial implications and the steps implemented to refract any risks.

 

The report would form an integral part of the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) performance evaluation of Denbighshire Social Services, and the evaluation would inform the Wales Audit Offices assessment of Denbighshire County Council as part of the annual improvement report.

 

It was explained by Councillor J. Chamberlain-Jones that the Fostering and Adoption Service was performing well but the issue of diminished staffing levels would need to be addressed, particular reference being made to the need appoint a replacement for Education Liaison Officer in Children and Family Services.  She expressed concern regarding the reference to cuts on page 127 of the report, and to the importance of retaining day care provision in the County.  It was explained that with regard to sickness absence levels, staff surveys had produced positive outcomes with no real areas of concern in respect of stress levels.  Confirmation was provided that cuts in funding for Adult Protection Services would not necessarily result in adult services and adult protection safeguards being compromised as the cost of providing extra care housing was less than residential care.  Councillor Chamberlin- Jones explained that the number of persons attending Day Centres had declined as GP’s were no longer in a position to make referrals, and the CDMW confirmed that there was a maximum charge of £50 per week for the provision of day care services

 

In response to concerns expressed by Councillor M.L. Holland, the CDMW confirmed that the future level of service provision for persons suffering from dementia and alzheimer’s, which had increased dramatically, would be a matter for consideration by all agencies.  The importance of highlighting the issue in the Annual Report was emphasised and reference was made to the regional strategy on dementia care.

 

Councillor J. Butterfield explained that the provision of sheltered accommodation was good but there were instances where some elderly persons were isolated and reference was made to alternative models of addressing service provision.  Councillor Butterfield highlighted the need to monitor and appraise the situation and requested that a report on the review of reablement centres be presented to County Council for consideration.  With regard to the Looked After Children Policy, the CDMW confirmed that vulnerable children would not be moved prior to the creation of a care plan.

 

In reply to concerns expressed by Councillor J.A. Davies regarding the importance of identifying hidden carers to ensure the provision of support, the CDMW explained there was a good network in place and that Denbighshire currently funded 6 organisations to provide support for carers, which included funding for NEWCIS.  Reference was made to new carers measures, the development of a new regional contract monitoring framework and the need for improved Respite Care and discharge information.

 

The CDMW responded to questions from Councillor M. McCarrol and explained that the development of a strategy, with Leisure Services, for independent living, the 3 year plan to develop services to support carers and the implementation of Denbighshire’s voluntary scheme to provide opportunities for residents to become active members of the community would be actions to be progressed during the next twelve months.  In reply to a question from Councillor W. Mullen-James, the CDMW explained that the EDT service was a collaborative service based at Wrexham.

 

Councillor J.M. McLellan emphasised the importance of monitoring social work assessments and plans submitted to Court, and ensuring the development of a family focus which would ensure early intervention.

 

During the ensuing discussion Councillor R.L. Feeley commended the report which had been produced in difficult and challenging times, and explained that Denbighshire’s had responded promptly and imaginatively whilst looking to the future.  She informed Members that Denbighshire’s CDMW was held in great esteem and respected throughout Wales.

           

RESOLVED – that Council confirms the:-

 

(a)          Director’s self-assessment of social care in Denbighshire.

(b)          Improvement priorities for 2013/2014, and

(c)          Draft report provides a clear account of performance