Issue - meetings
Adult Social Care Direct Services review
Meeting: 13/12/2010 - Executive (Item 4)
4 Adult Social Care Direct Services review PDF 145 KB
In July 2010 the Executive agreed to consult with service users, carers and stakeholders on the draft Day Opportunities Strategy as a precursor to the transformation of all buildings-based, directly-provided adult social care day services. It also agreed to consult on a number of specific proposals which were set out in the Learning Disabilities Information Sheet, an appendix to the strategy. The consultation process is now complete and this report sets out the results of the consultation, the options for transformation and a recommended course of action.
Additional documents:
- hcc-direct-services-appa, item 4 PDF 137 KB
- hcc-direct-services-appb, item 4 PDF 429 KB
- hcc-direct-services-appc, item 4 PDF 382 KB
- hcc-direct-services-appd, item 4 PDF 151 KB
Decision:
(i) that approval be given to the final version of the Day Opportunities Strategy attached at Appendix B to the report from the Director of Housing and Community Care;
(ii) that approval be given to the implementation of Option 4 where implementation is built on a comprehensive and inclusive reassessment and support planning process for every current service user, and is subject to staff and union consultation;
(iii) that officers report back in the event of any problems in implementing the recommended option 4.
Minutes:
Councillor R Moher (Lead Member, Adults, Health and Social Care) introduced the report from the Director of Housing and Community Care which set out the results of consultation on the draft Day Opportunities Strategy, which was a precursor to the transformation of all buildings-based, directly provided adult social care services. She also responded on the deputation received earlier in the meeting from Ms Manek on behalf of Brent Learning Disability Users and Carers who had also submitted a petition against proposals to close day centres. Councillor Moher stated that the report had been the result of a protracted consultation period which had included 42 meetings, many of which she had attended. She referred to the recommended option four in the Director’s report which involved the closure of the Stonebridge Centre which was underused and had structural problems and the transfer of users to the Strathcona Centre in Preston Road. Once the proposed centre on the John Billam site had opened the centre at Albert Road would close and users would transfer with users from ASPPECT. Councillor Moher assured that other locations such as the use of the Millennium Centre in Willesden were under consideration and it was recognised that some options may need a building as a base.
Martin Cheeseman (Director, Housing and Community Care) drew members’ attention to the discussion at the recent meeting of the One Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 8 December 2010 which had also received a deputation from service users and carers. He emphasised that option four was dependent on 30% of users being assessed as independent and also being willing not to have day centre based provision. Should this not be achieved, he would report back to the Executive with alternatives proposals. Further consideration would be possible while the John Billam Centre was being constructed. Martin Cheeseman referred to the recommendations from the One Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee in particular the specific recommendation that the Strathcona Centre be kept open as a safety net. The Director responded that Stonebridge and Strathcona centres were currently operating at less than 50% capacity and that having three day centres could not be justified in the present circumstances. He agreed to meet with a steering group to further consider developments.
The Executive agreed the recommendation from the One Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee that officers should report back in the event of problems in implementing option four.
RESOLVED:
(i) that approval be given to the final version of the Day Opportunities Strategy attached at Appendix B to the report from the Director of Housing and Community Care;
(ii) that approval be given to the implementation of Option 4 where implementation is built on a comprehensive and inclusive reassessment and support planning process for every current service user, and is subject to staff and union consultation;
(iii) that officers report back in the event of any problems in implementing the recommended option four.