Issue - meetings

Decision Report re Adult Social Care Statutory Services

Meeting: 27/06/2019 - Executive (Item 15)

15 Decision Report re Adult Social Care Statutory Services pdf icon PDF 228 KB

Decision:

That the transfer of all statutory functions (Brokerage and Support Services) and staff from Optalis Ltd to Wokingham Borough Council be agreed.

Minutes:

The Executive considered a report relating to a proposal to transfer all the statutory functions (brokerage and support services) and staff from Optalis Ltd to Wokingham Borough Council. 

 

The Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Services explained that the changes proposed would move the statutory services from Optalis to the Council which would mean that they would be all under one roof.  The reason for the proposed change was that there was currently a split pathway which meant that some parts were dealt with by Optalis and some by the Council and it was believed that bringing all these services under one roof would give Officers direct control, transact change quicker and drive up standards.

 

The Leader of Council clarified that Optalis was not being absorbed into WBC as had been reported in the press.  This was confirmed by Councillor Margetts who stated that the Council was fully committed to Optalis and it would be continuing to provide care and support services.  It was the statutory services, which were currently shared, that were being brought under the Council’s direct control. 

 

Councillor Margetts also highlighted the good work carried out by Optalis and drew Members’ attention to the fact that the CQC had rated Optalis as “good to excellent”.

 

Councillor Margetts also confirmed that the transfer of staff from Optalis to the Council would take about three months and it was hoped to see improvements within six months.  This would be kept under review and everyone would be kept updated.  In addition Officers had asked for an Independent Peer Review to be carried out in September to make sure that the changes were driving up quality and standards. 

 

RESOLVED:   That the transfer of all statutory functions (Brokerage and Support Services) and staff from Optalis Ltd to Wokingham Borough Council be agreed.