Minutes:
The
Committee chose to scrutinise the following Cabinet Board items:
Revised
Adult Services Respite Allocation Policy
The
Committee received an overview of the revised Adult Services Respite Allocation
Policy which was subject to a 90 day public consultation.
Members
asked that the focus of the policy should not solely be for the benefit of
Carers receiving respite, but to give the opportunity for services users to use
the respite as a holiday.
Members
queried whether there was an opportunity to re-look at other respite provisions
eg day centres.
It was explained that all avenues would be considered but would depend
on the availability of budgets.
Concern
was expressed at the emphasis in the policy of seeking family, friends to
undertake the respite caring duties. What happened if this was not an option? In addition, what safeguarding measures were
in place. Currently family/friends were the main carers and respite breaks took
place on an informal basis. There was no
register held on family/friends who were also carers. In addition, the Council was not made aware
of all cases where care was undertaken.
Also, if this was not an option the service user would be able to access
the existing commissioned services.
Members
asked for assurances as the suitability of a carer
was paramount in these situations.
Officers explained that if there were any safeguarding issues they would
be acted on. Not all carers or people
receiving care were known to the Council.
These would be undertaken on an informal basis by family and friends
which was encouraged by the implementation of Direct Payments by the Welsh
Government.
Clarification
was given that service users in receipt of Direct Payments were able to access
commissioned respite beds if the beds were available. Figures would be circulated on the number of
respite beds available to Neath Port Talbot.
In
response to Members queries, it was explained that the policy was developed to
ensure that all who required respite were treated fairly and consistently. Also, respite care was not just residential
care. A report would be brought to a
future meeting of the Social Care, Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee
identifying the variety of respite care available.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.
West
Glamorgan Regional Strategic Framework for Mental Health
The
Committee received an overview of the West Glamorgan Regional Strategic
Framework for Mental Health Services for Adults as detailed in the circulated
report.
It
was explained that West Glamorgan was previously known as the Western Bay
Partnership.
Confirmation
was received that a six monthly report would be brought back to Committee
detailing how the model had progressed and what impact it had had on the
negative feedback contained within the feedback report.
Concern
was expressed at how Valley Communities would not be impacted by the proposal
as detailed in the circulated report.
Officers were asked to consider fully the impact on Valley Communities
when drafting reports and to ensure that there was an explanation explaining
the impact contained within the report so that Members could see that Valley
Communities had been considered.
The
Committee was pleased that the report was presented for consideration at
today’s meeting.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.