Agenda item
Transforming Adult Social Care: Modernising Day Opportunities for People with Learning Disabilities - Update on Progress
This report provides an update on progress in respect of an aspect of the Adult Social Care Transformation programme – the modernising of day care opportunities. This include an update on the assessment programme for users and carers within Brent Learning Disabilities Service and the move toward implementing the Self Directed Support model to promote independence and choice and meet the needs of people attending Brent Learning Disabilities Day Centres.
The report outlines the next steps in order to deliver self directed support and outcome focused support plans for service users as directed by the Personalisation agenda in full collaboration with service users and carers of day care services within the overall context of meeting assessed needs. The report also provides information about the progress to date in finding a suitable site for the re-provision of Albert Road day centre supporting people with complex needs.
Minutes:
Lance Douglas (Assistant Director – Quality and Support, Housing and Community Care) introduced the report, who begun by stressing that consultation was a key element of the programme. The strategic theme of improving day opportunities for people came from the Government’s Putting People First initiative, which formed the basis of how personalisation would work. The Learning Disabilities service was leading the transformation. Lance Douglas advised that it was important for progress to be made with regard to the re-provision and re-location of the Albert Road Day Centre site, with the John Billham Sports Ground identified as the preferred site. Actions that needed to be undertaken at the next stage included the need assessment of Albert Road and ASSPECTS day service users, with included approximately 350 assessments to be completed by the end of November 2009. An analysis on all service users’ assessments of needs would be required to help formulate ideas on the future shape and types of services to be provided.
Lance Douglas advised that some changes had been made to the transformation programme following concerns raised by users and their carers during the extensive consultation that had been undertaken. The Committee noted that spending in Adult Social Care was not particularly high compared to other areas and that there was efficient use of the limited resources available.
Councillor R Moher stated that the issue had been raised as to whether some users would be capable of making decisions in respect of the assessment and she asked what steps were taken to ensure that the correct view of the user had been obtained. Councillor Mistry stated that although the budget for the transformation had been agreed, there was a lack of reassurance amongst users and carers about the service that would be provided. In addition, some users would not have the capacity to access the service on-line and there was a need to provide specialised transport.
The Chair acknowledged that a central aim of the transformation was to provide what the customer wanted, however she enquired whether a particular service could still be offered if, for example, only 2 customers had requested it. She sought an explanation as to how enough choices could be provided that were viable and could be funded. The Chair sought confirmation that direct payments could not be made to services provided by the Council, even if this was the user’s preferred choice. She felt that the changes made since the consultation had been positive and enquired whether funding had been identified for the Albert Road and ASPPECTS day service changes and if the analysis undertaken would be based on what could be delivered.
In reply, Lance Douglas felt that there was considerably more known about the users’ views than previously, however a member of staff had been appointed to complete quality checks to ensure that users were capable of doing certain things and to be able to distinguish between what the aspirations of the users were and what was realistically achievable. Members heard that the Care Quality Commission had praised the Council’s Quality Assurance Framework. Lance Douglas stated that although he understood the concerns of users and carers with regard to the future of the service, the target of 30% users of personal budgets had been set by the Department of Health, even though a target of 20% had originally been agreed within the LAA. Members noted that through personalised service, Council services could be used and that funding had been identified for the Albert Road and ASSPECTS day service changes. The analysis undertaken would be based on what resources were available.
The Chair commented that she felt that the carers needed to be re-consulted and she requested that an update on the transformation be provided at the meeting on the 9th February 2010.
Supporting documents: