Minutes:
The
Committee scrutinised the following matters:
Cabinet
Board Proposals
i.
Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales: Homecare Service
Inspections Report 2016
Members
considered the report that highlighted the outcome of the Care and Social Services
Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) inspection that was undertaken between the 20th
and 22nd January 2016.
Members
noted that it was an encouraging report that highlighted that the Council was
aspiring to have excellent services.
It
was noted that at a previous meeting sickness absence had been highlighted as a
problem and Members asked whether there were staff having repeated instances of
sickness absence. Officers confirmed that this had been an issue previously but
the sickness absence figures were moving in the right direction and this has
been aided by having dedicated HR staff within the Directorate. It was further
noted that in relation to long term sickness absence this was being managed in
line with new policy and it was making a difference.
Following
scrutiny the report was noted.
ii.
New Governance Arrangements for Mental Health and Learning Disability
Services.
Members
considered a report that set out the new governance arrangements for managing
the development of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Commissioning and
Practice Services. Members were advised that the new arrangements were required
due to the departure of the responsible Principal Officer.
Officers
stated that an additional £1,000,000 had been identified to deal with pressures
but it was confirmed that the money would be used to deal directly with the
problem which in turn will deal with any pressures.
Members
noted that there are high costs of packages particularly in Mental Health and
asked whether Direct Payments will assist in addressing a potential problem. It
was confirmed that it would as the direct payments would be used to fund more
accurately.
Members
asked whether there was a risk that cost would be put before an individual’s
needs. It was confirmed that there was no risk of this happening and that each
case will be considered individually to ensure that each person had the
appropriate package put in place.
Following
scrutiny the Committee were supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.
iii.
Residential and Non-Residential Care Charging
Members
considered a report that sought to establish a Residential and Non Residential
Charging Policy in accordance with the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales)
Act 2014.
Members
received a verbal amendment to Schedule 1 of the circulated report, as detailed
below in bold and italics:
SCHEDULE 1
Charges for Services –
April 2016
Long
Term Residential Care
Charges
– Service Users Per Week (Max Charge)
Gwalia
Homes – Existing Residents (admitted prior 01/04/12)
£536.90 week
Gwalia
Homes – New Residents (admitted 01/04/12
onwards) TBC
Residential Care – All Other Providers
£506.94
week
Charges
– Other Local Authorities (Per Week)
Elderly
Care – Gwalia
Homes
TBC
Learning
Disabilities
Accommodation
£1,701.40 week
Additional
Hours
RCO
£15.06 hour
Additional
Hours
NCO
£21.87 hour
Fees
Paid to Providers of Residential Care (Per Week)
Basic Fee £506.94
Quality Premium £12.06week
EMI Nursing Care Supplement (added to above figure)
£27.52
Residential Care for Under
65’s (Basic Fee) £506.94week
Adult
Family Placement £432.52
Gwalia
Homes (Basic Fee) TBC
Members
were advised that the Council had discretion to charge and not a duty. The act
now allows the Council to back date the charges to when the package was put in
place. Officers stated that charges for respite were now means tested and that
the residential rules had been brought in line with other charges.
Following
scrutiny the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.