Agenda item

To receive an update on the Adult Social Care Transformation programme.

The Committee received an update on the Adult Services Transformation Programme.

During the discussion of this item, the following points were made:

·       Members were advised that there was one overarching governance for the programme and a number of streams underneath this – Health and Wellbeing Board, Optalis, Wokingham Integrated Partnership and Adult Social Care Change Projects.  There was some cross over and interdependency between these.

·       Ingrid Slade indicated that the Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Berkshire West was approved just over a year ago.  High level Wokingham Strategy into Action priorities had been added.  The Wellbeing Board with its partners had worked through the data for Wokingham and created specific priorities for Wokingham Borough under each of these areas.  An action plan was in place for each of the project areas.  Ingrid Slade went on to explain how additional reporting bodies specific to the projects reported progress to the Wellbeing Board via the Wellbeing Board Steering Group.

·       Ingrid Slade outlined the governance and reporting arrangements around the Wellbeing Board and the Wellbeing Board Steering Group.

·       A Member questioned why ARC was not a member of the Wokingham Integrated Partnership (WIP).  Ingrid Slade explained that there were different elements to mental health treatment in the Borough and that ARC was part of the community mental health response.  MIND was part of a WIP project.

·       The WIP was a primary forum for the local authority to interact with Primary Care Network colleagues.

·       The WIP’s strategic aims were to –

Ø  Keep People as People, Not Patients.

Ø  Reduce the number of people that have High Level Support Packages

Ø  Find and support people before they become a high risk

Ø  Meet the Better Care Fund Targets

·       In response to a Member question Ingrid Slade indicated that the WIP focused on adults whilst the Children and Young People’s Partnership focused on children and young people.  The Wellbeing Steering Group received updates from both the WIP and the Children and Young People’s Partnership.

·       Wesley Hedger highlighted the Adult Social Care Change projects including the Adult Services Workforce Strategy and the Recovery College.

·       A Member referred to retention and recruitment problems experienced by Optalis and asked about the possibility of a subsidised creche for adult social care workers.  Wesley Hedger stated that Optalis was the Council’s strategic partner and that adult social care as a whole was traditionally underfunded.  He suggested that the Adult Services Workforce Strategy be brought to a future committee meeting.

·       Wesley Hedger drew Members’ attention to the Specialist Accommodation project.  36 new supported living spaces had been created to support a number of vulnerable residents.  A Member queried how many of the units were full and whether there were wait lists.  Wesley Hedger indicated that there was a list of those transitioning to adulthood and that there were around 5 per year.  There was a high waiting list and more assets were needed to accommodate a greater number of people.  A review of the first stage of the project had recently been carried out.

·       A Member questioned what plans were in place for future accommodation projects.  Wesley Hedger stated that there was a capital programme around future projects.  An evaluation of stage one had just been completed and phase 2 would be designing what would be required going forwards.  Additional property to support people living in the community was required.  In response to a Member question regarding budget implications Wesley Hedger commented that it was likely cost neutral.  The financial element was one part of the project and creating the right homes for vulnerable individuals was another.  It was suggested that further information regarding the Specialist Accommodation project be brought back to a future meeting.

·       Members were informed that the Council was working with a company on producing some videos to assist people moving into the specialist accommodation, and to provide information on their life experiences.  The Committee asked to view the videos when available.

·       Members sought information on the length of the waiting lists of those waiting for specialist accommodation.  A Member suggested that if efficiency was maximised a greater number of people could be assisted.

·       A Member queried whether any looked after children leaving care had benefited from the Specialist Accommodation Project and was informed that they had not currently.

·       The Committee noted some of the key projects being delivered by Optalis including the supported employment service and transitions support service.

·       Members were informed of some of the forthcoming projects.

RESOLVED:  That the update on the Adult Services Transformation Programme be noted