Issue - items at meetings - Learning Disabilities Accommodation Services

Report of the Executive Director for Adult Social Care (copy attached) together with an extract from the proceedings of the Health & Wellbeing Board meeting held on 19 April 2016 (copy to follow).

RESOLVED:

1)     That the Policy & Resources Committee members should read and consider the full consultation outcome and equalities impact assessment.

2)     That Policy & Resources endorse the recommendation from Health & Wellbeing Board.

3)     That Policy & Resources Committee should delegate to the Executive Director, Adult Services, the authority to re-provide the Council’s learning disability accommodation services through a procurement process and award of the contracts for services that aim to meet individuals’ needs in the most cost effective way.

164.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Adult’s Services in relation to Learning Disabilities Accommodation Services; the Chair also noted that the report had been considered at the Health & Wellbeing Board on 19 April 2016 as set out in the extract from the proceedings of that meeting in the addendum. The report provided the results of the consultation that was agreed at the special meeting of the Committee on 4 November 2015, and it asked the Committee to make recommendations regarding the future of the services.

164.2    Councillor Yates addressed the Committee, at the Chair’s discretion, in his capacity as the Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board. He stated that the consultation had evidence that most were satisfied with the service they received, and that in some cases there were alternatives that could better serve their needs. Most residents were not living in Council operated accommodation as the majority was provided through third and voluntary sector. Common themes related to the importance of friendship groups and ensuring consistency of carers.

164.3    In response to Councillor A. Norman it was explained by Officers that Beaconsfield Villas was one of the sites that it was proposed to not be retained and Officers were working with the services users and families around the best other options; one of the proposals was moving some of the users into Beech House as it could better meet more complex care needs.

164.4    In response to queries from Councillor Wealls Officers explained the following: The proposals from the consultation were for most service users to stay in their current accommodation, unless they wanted to move to an alternative. In relation to the consultation this had taken place both through questionnaires and one to one meetings taking people through the options. Where sites were being closed work would be undertaken to ensure friendship groups stayed together where this was the preferred option of the families, and single sex facilities would be retained where they currently existed. In relation to monitoring and assurance around quality all providers had to be registered with the CQC and meet their standards. The Council had staff working in quality assurance that monitored and collected data to feed into the governance board that was chaired by the Executive Director for Adults’ Services. Service users and families had also been assured, in the consultation process, when they had been able to meet representatives from the proposed new service providers.

164.5    In response to Councillor Sykes it clarified that where the buildings were in Council ownership they would likely be designated for different use or disposed of.

164.6    In response to Councillor Mac Cafferty it was clarified that the solution for the majority of services users was for them to remain in their current accommodation with their regular staff – causing minimal disruption. As a result of the assessment there would be a small number of people where there was a case for them to move and it would be necessary to work with the families around these options.

164.5    Councillor A. Norman stated that it had been the long standing position of the Council to support people to improve their lives; however, the uptake for day centre services had reduced in the last 20 years as more individuals were taking up training and work opportunities. Wherever possible most people with learning disabilities wanted to be more independent and the role of the local authority to support them in this would be unchanged. The provision of accommodation services would be continually monitored to ensure additional safeguards for these individuals.

164.6    In response to some of the points raised the Executive Director for Adult’s Services explained that an independent review of the services had been undertaken with positive feedback. This work would also help to free up spaces to enable people to be placed in the city if this had not been possible, as well as those entering the service previously under the care of Children’s Services. Assurance was provided in relation to the quality of work, as well as working with providers to ensure needs were met and support plans in place.

164.7    The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote; these were carried on a vote of 8 to 2.

162.8    RESOLVED:

1)     That the Policy & Resources Committee members should read and consider the full consultation outcome and equalities impact assessment.

2)     That Policy & Resources endorse the recommendation from Health & Wellbeing Board.

3)     That Policy & Resources Committee should delegate to the Executive Director, Adult Services, the authority to re-provide the Council’s learning disability accommodation services through a procurement process and award of the contracts for services that aim to meet individuals’ needs in the most cost effective way.