Minutes:
The
Committee Scrutinised the following matters:-
Cabinet
Board Proposals
5.1 Future Direction Options for Personal
Social Services
Members were updated on the options for managing
and delivering personal social care services over the next five to six years.
Members queried how external organisations could
gain information on Direct Payments and whether an event could be organised.
Officers explained that a re-launch of direct payments scheme was going to take
place in future which should make this information available to all interested
parties.
Members queried that the report gave the impression
that there was an underspend and that Officers need to
be more clear in the reports.
Members asked whether the Personal Assistants have
the same standard of Qualifications that our in house Homecare staff have.
Officers confirmed yes and have been running training courses for Personal
Assistants which is funded by the Council and Welsh
Government.
Members asked whether there is information on the
take up of Direct Payments across the County by ward and whether there were any
issues in more rural wards. Officers confirmed that they would get back to
Members.
Members queried how Officers can ensure them that
Personal Assistants are providing a quality service. Officers explained that
they would be monitored regularly to ensure a quality service.
Members queried how officers can assure them that
the quality of care, safeguarding and the cost over long term are being
monitored. Officers referred to pages 23-25 in the report highlighting that
Direct Payments are only used where necessary. Officers highlighted that all
services have a Social Worker for support and that all clients who receive
Direct Payments would receive the same service as other clients.
Members queried whether there was an evaluation
strategy. Officers confirmed that Social Workers monitor appropriate spend of
Direct Payments on a daily basis.
Members asked what would happen if there was a lot
of sickness leave or Annual leave at one time. Officers confirmed that they
would have a bank of Personal Assistants if this happened.
Members asked Officers
to re-word the EIA on page 38 paragraph 6 starting with the word however as
members felt that the paragraph gave a wrong impression that the council was
trying to reduce the service it provides.
Members queried that the
EIA on Page 51 Section 7 & 8 Monitoring Arrangements and Outcomes, how this
was going to be monitored and that the outcomes needed to be more measurable
and requested a report explaining how this was going to be achieved.
Members asked whether
the Council has sufficient capacity to provide services if the client does not want to use
Direct Payments. Officers confirmed that they have no capacity problem.
Members were concerned
at the level of take-up and whether there was a pattern of service users taking
up Direct Payments. Officers explained that some services for example learning
disabilities had higher rates of take up than others.
Members queried what
affect would the uptake of Direct Payments have on the internal Homecare
service. Officers explained that the Homecare service will concentrate on
complex need service users, so there would be no reduction in staff numbers.
Presently, external Homecare Services that are bought in by the Council account
for 74% and in-house providing 26% of specialist care.
Members asked that a
progress report be brought back to Committee on the changes being taken forward
on the Future Direction Options for Personal Social Services so Members are
aware of the changes being made under the Delegated arrangements.
Following scrutiny, the
Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the Cabinet
Board.
5.2 Western Bay Commissioning Strategy for Care Homes for Older
People 2016 – 2025
The report was withdrawn from today’s meeting, due to the
concerns expressed by Members on the lack of information on Governance around
the Western Bay workstreams.
Members requested that Sara Harvey (Western Bay Programme
Director) attend a future meeting.
It was requested that the questions raised prior to
the meeting be amalgamated and forwarded to the Director of Social Care Health
and Housing.
5.3 Consultation Outcome of The Neath Port Talbot Draft
Young Carers Strategy (2017-2020)
Members received information the outcome of the
recent public consultation of the Draft Young Carers Strategy 2017-2020.
Members queried how fund support for young carers
would be funded. Officers explained that there was no funding set aside for
this at present but this could be an outcome of the action plan.
Members queried that in the Draft Young carers
Strategy on Page 153, section 3 (definition of young carer, third paragraph
starting the Act) that the sentence ‘this is an important change as a carer
could request a carer’s assessment’ be made clearer.
Members requested that Young Carers Strategy
reviews are reported back to Committee.
Members asked for a report on the Transition to
adulthood be presented to a future meeting.
Members requested that the Action Plans as detailed
on Page 222 of the circulated report to be SMART.
Following scrutiny the committee was supportive of
the proposals to be considered by the Cabinet Board