Decision details

Leeds City Council will have new statutory duties to fulfil due to the implementation of Care Act 2014 in April 2015. Executive Board are requested to approve the release of £608,000 to supplement identified funding of £1,044,000 for the implementation of changes to information management & technology systems to enable the successful implementation of the Care Act 2014 within the Council.

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report regarding the implications of the Care Act 2014 to Leeds City Council and the associated development and change required to information management and technology systems to support a successful implementation. The report noted that the changes to the information management and technology systems would require an investment of £1,652,000 and Executive Board was requested to approve the release of £608,000 to supplement the identified funding of £1,044,000.

Responding to an enquiry, the Board received further detail on the proposals and clarification on the need for the investment into the information management and technology systems, which was due to the new requirements arising from the introduction of the 2014 Care Act.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the significant change which the Care Act means for the Council and the resultant need to invest in information management and technology systems in order to enable the Council to fulfil its statutory duties and continue to provide quality care and support services to the citizens of Leeds, be noted.

(b)  That the amount of change currently being undertaken within Leeds, both within the Council and with Health and external partners be noted, together with the fact that the Care Act may have an impact on the scope and delivery timescales of the related change programmes.

(c)  That the release of £608,000 additional funding in order to supplement the identified funding of £1,044,000 to implement the information management and technology change necessary to enable the successful implementation of the Care Act within Leeds City Council, be approved.

(d)  That it be noted that the officer responsible for progressing the implementation of this programme of work is the Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy within Adult Social Care.

(e)  That following the Board’s approval of the funding, it be noted that the delivery of this programme of work will commence in July 2014 for a period of 2 years.

(f)  That it be noted that the current funding estimates are based upon recently published consultation guidance which will be subject to change until October 2014. However, it also be noted that the Council needs to invest in the design and development of the information management and technology solutions now, if the Council is to meet the first phase of the Care Act implementation deadline of 1^st April 2015.

The Care Act 2014 Programme Team have developed a draft engagement, consultation and communications plan. The information management and technology changes associated with the Care Act 2014 will be included within these communications.

Preliminary engagement and communication has been undertaken with the Executive and the Lead Member for Adult Social Care, Cabinet Members and the Corporate Leadership Team with regards to the overall impact of the Care Act 2014.

Chief Officer (Customer Access) and the Customer Access Programme Team.