Tania Sitch introduced the report that was aimed at the local community and described how adult social care was performing in delivering the key priorities and the progress that had been made on the actions set out in the 2015 Local Account. Members were referred to the Appendix 1 that included the review of priorities and achievements for 2016 and the 10 key priorities for 2017.

The Chair thanked Officers for the excellent report.

Councillor Collins asked how much of the report had to be written following the budget announcement on adult social care. Tania Sitch stated that this announcement had not changed the priorities too much.

Councillor Collins questioned whether an external audit would be undertaken. Tania Sitch stated that peer reviews were undertaken and that findings could be shared with Members. The use of scorecards, own carer surveys and User-Led Organisation checks were undertaken on people’s satisfaction.

Councillor Snell thanked Officers for the good news report and asked for clarification on the model of care for the new resource for falls prevention. Tania Sitch stated that additional funding via the Better Care Fund had been received to work on fall prevention. Work will be undertaken with care homes and members of the public to prevent falls, working alongside professionals including occupational health therapists. Early intervention of those at risk of falls was essential. Tania Sitch also clarified that work took place to reduce risk factors with people who had had a fall in addition to preventing falls from taking place in the first place.

Councillor Snell questioned the reason that Thurrock when compared to England statistics was worse for people using social care who received self-directed support that different local authorities had different interpretations of what should and should not be included. As part of the Care Act residents had to be made aware up front of an indicative budget. Tania Sitch stated that Thurrock had resisted doing this as it had found this had not always helped individuals to identify the best solutions for them.  Instead, Thurrock undertook assessments that were outcome-focused and worked alongside residents to ensure that they were able to find the best solutions.

Councillor Sheridan asked for clarification on the number of staff in the adult social care teams mentioned within the Better Care Fund section of the Local Account. Tania Sitch stated that the:

•           Hospital Social Care Team had 15 members of staff which included Team Manager, Deputies, Social Workers and Support Planners who dealt with the patient discharges from Basildon Hospital and also covered the three main community hospitals.

•           The Joint Enablement Team was a larger team with Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurse, Co-ordinators and 30 Carers who deliver the joint enablement.

Councillor Collins stated that good service improvements had been made.

Councillor Collins made reference to those National Key Performance Indicators that had gone down in the direction of travel and to ensure that the same services were being incorporated in each assessment. Tania Sitch that regular performance meetings were held chaired by Roger Harris to review and update the action plan. An increase of loneliness had been reported and that work was being undertaken to address this through services such as the Local Area Coordination Team.

Ian Wake stated that care should be taken when comparing statistics and trends from two different points as these were not always comparable.

RESOLVED

That the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the report.