Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the Board meeting and thanked them for

their attendance.

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81 (3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

The following interests were declared on Agenda Item 7 – Annual Performance Assessment (Star Rating) for Adult Social Services 2007/2008 and Agenda Item 8 Independence Well-Being and Choice Inspection of Adult Social Services 2008:-

Councillor J Chapman declared a personal interest in the above items as she has a relative who works in private industry as a homecare worker, and also in her capacity as a Director of West North West ALMO (Minutes 56 & 57  refers).

Councillor E Taylor declared a personal interest in the above items in her capacity as a nurse who works for Leeds Community Mental Health (Minutes 56 & 57 refers).

Councillor S Armitage declared a personal interest in the above items in her capacity as a member of Swarcliffe Good Neighbours (Minutes 56 & 57  refers).

Joy Fisher declared a personal interest in the above items as a member of the Safeguarding Committee, Trustee of the Independent Disabled Council and as user receiving aids and adaptations (Minutes 56 & 57 refers).

Sally Morgan declared a personal interest in the above items as a service user receiving aids and adaptations (Minutes 56 & 57 refers).

In accordance with her powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair admitted to the agenda a late report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development introducing a report that was submitted to the Executive Board at its meeting on 3^rd December 2009 on the outcome of an Independence, Wellbeing and Choice inspection of Adult Social Services conducted by the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

The report was embargoed by the Inspector until it had been considered by the Executive Board on the 3^rd December 2008.   For this reason the report had not been available for agenda despatch.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors D Coupar and A Hussain.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meetings held on 12th and 24^th November 2008.

Minute 41 – 12^th November 2008 – Mental Capacity Act 2005

Members noted that contact has been made with the Member Development Officer regarding holding a general Members Seminar on the implications of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Minute 42 – 12^th November 2008 – Leeds Joint Strategic Needs Assessment

Members noted that a further update report is now schedule for the 11^th March 2009 Board meeting.

Minujte 48 – 24^th November 2008 – Income Review for Community Care Services – Consultation

Members noted that the report on the review of the Consultation process will now be presented to this Board in April 2009.  It was explained to the Board

that the proposals in relation to Charging and Income Review will be presented to the Executive Board in February 2009 and as the dates for the March 2009 meeting are quite early in the month for the Scrutiny Board Adult Social Care, the report would not be ready in time.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th and 24 November  2008, be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and consider the attached report and appendices of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development and Director of Adult Social Services, as submitted to Executive Board on 3^rd December 2008.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

·  The report that was submitted to the Executive Board on 3^rd December 2008 on the Annual Performance Assessment (Star Rating) for Adult Social Services 2007/2008.

·  A letter from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI)  dated 27^th October 2008 regarding the Performance Ratings for Adult Social Care Services.

·  A letter from the Commission for Social Care Inspection dated 27^th October 2008 regarding the Performance Summary report of 2007-2008 Annual Performance Assessment of Social Care Services for Adult Services.

The Chair informed the meeting that the CSCI Inspector involved in the production of the Star Rating report had been invited to attend the meeting on the 21st October 2008. A further reminder was issued on the 26^th of November. The invitation was declined on the 2^nd December 2008.  The CSCI Inspector, responsible for overseeing the Independence Wellbeing and Choice inspection, had also been invited in October 2008.  Unfortunately the CSCI administrative team did not pass the invitation to the inspector and therefore the Board meeting had been removed from his diary.The Chair expressed her disappointment that neither inspector was present.  This was echoed by other members of the Board.

The Chair welcomed the following attendees/witnesses to the meeting who outlined the report and responded to Members questions and comments:

-  Councillor P Harrand , Executive Board Member with the portfolio for Adult   Health and Social Care.

-  Sandie Keene – Director of Adult Social Services

-  Dennis Holmes – Chief Officer (Commissioning) – Adult Social Services

Councillor Harrand informed the meeting that the CSCI Inspector had attended the Executive Board meeting held on 3^rd December 2008 to present the inspection report.

The main areas of clarification and discussion were as follows:-

·  Clarification on the judgement of leadership as described in the Inspectors report.

The Director informed the meeting that the leadership judgement refers to the whole of the Authority, political, senior and middle management and front line leadership in terms of the Authority’s whole corporate leadership.  The Inspector concluded that the Authority did not have a significant track record of improvement and change but other elements of professionalism were deemed adequate. 

·  The action taken by the Adult Social Services Department in response to the Inspector’s judgement on Leadership.

The Director informed the Board that the department had  identified a range of problems at senior/ middle and front line management and have acted quickly to resolve the immediate safeguarding issues.  The department had developed an Action Plan (referred to in Minute 57), which the Inspector deemed a well constructed and realistic action plan.

·  Clarification of when the Authority was last reviewed by the CSCI Inspectors.

The Director informed the Board that there were two elements to the star rating.

·  Self Assessment - A desk top exercise which relied on information the Authority had provided to the Commission for Social Care Inspectors. This had occurred in previous years.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

To receive and consider a report by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development providing information relating to the Independence, Wellbeing and Choice Inspection of Adult Social Services 2008, conducted by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) between 29^th July 2008 and 6^th August 2008.

(Note:  The Inspectorate has put an embargo on their report, therefore, the report will not be in the public domain until it has been considered at the Executive Board meeting to be held on 3^rd December 2008).

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a late report on the outcome of the Independence Wellbeing and Choice inspection and presented an Action Plan relating to the 25 recommendations contained in the Inspection report.  (Minute 53 refers).

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:

·  Report submitted to the Executive Board meeting held on 3^rd December 2008.

·  Service Inspection Report on Independence, Wellbeing and Choice July/August 2008. 

-  Appendix 1 Inspection Themes and Descriptions

-  Appendix 2 Methodology

·  Leeds City Council Action Plan in response to the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI).

The Chair welcomed the following attendees/witnesses to the meeting who provided additional detail on the report and Action Plan and responded to Members’ questions and comments:-

-  Councillor P Harrand , Executive Board Member with the portfolio for Adult   Health and Social Care.

-  Sandie Keane – Director of Adult Social Services

-  Dennis Holmes – Chief Officer (Commissioning) – Adult Social Services

In summary, the main areas raised and discussed were as follows:

·  Following on from the previous item Members sought clarification of the governance arrangements for the Adult Safeguarding Board.

In response, the Director informed the meeting that the representative from the following organisations formed the membership of the Adult Safeguarding Board as follows:

·  Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust

·  NHS Leeds (formerly PCT)

·  Partnership Trust

·  Mental Health Trust

·  Police Authority

·  Leeds City Council – Adult Social Services Department

·  Service Users and Carers representatives

·  Voluntary representatives

·  Commission for Social Care Inspection

·  Probation Service

Members expressed their concern that 90% of the above membership were outside bodies who were renowned for sending substitute members.

The Director informed the Board that she had met with all of the Chief Officers from the above mentioned organisations and would continue to monitor the commitment and function of the Adult Safeguarding Board.  The membership of the Board listed above had all signed up to a Concordat, a copy of which would be provided.

It was also reported that details of attendance were included in the Annual Safeguarding Report.

·  It was also pointed out at the meeting that some Members had still not received a copy of the blue booklet on Safeguarding.

The Director informed the meeting that she would arrange for the booklets to be distributed.

·  Concern was expressed at the lack of Advocacy and the important role it can play especially in cases of abuse.  It was felt that there were many gaps within Advocacy.

The Director assured the meeting that there were proposals for a review of the Advocacy Service.

The Chair thanked the Executive Board Member and Officers for their attendance.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That any outstanding issues referred to above be dealt with by those   Officers now identified within the minutes and reported back to  Board   Members. 

(c)  That future minutes of the Adult Safeguarding Board and its Sub Groups   be circulated to the Adult  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development, which incorporates the minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 5^th November 2008 and an extract from the Council’s Forward Plan of key Decisions for the period 1^st December 2008 to 31^st March 2009.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted:

·  A report regarding the Board’s work programme, updated to reflect decisions taken at previous meetings

·  A schedule of the established Working Groups

·  An extract of the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st December 2008 to 31^st March 2009

·  A copy of the minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 5^th November 2008.

In brief, the main points discussed were:

·  That the Director of Adult Social Services submit a monthly progress report on the Action Plans to the Proposals Working Group.   A member of the Health Scrutiny Board would be invited to join the working group for this item.

·  That the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Board focus on the following elements within safeguarding :

-    Strengthening Strategic Partnerships

-    Quality Assurance Proposals and Procedures

There were elements within the action plan that would necessitate the focus of both this Board and Scrutiny Board (Health), therefore, the Chair would invite Members from the Health Scrutiny Board to work jointly with the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Board and to participate in future meetings for the relevant items. 

·  A request be presented to the Health Scrutiny Board for an inquiry into Hospital Discharges.

RESOLVED – That subject to any changes necessary as a result of today’s meeting, the work programme be approved.

Wednesday, 7^th January 2009

Wednesday, 11^th February 2009

Wednesday, 11^th March 2009

Wednesday, 8^th April 2009

All at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-Meetings 9.30 a.m.)

The following schedule of meetings were noted:

Wednesday, 7^th January 2009

Wednesday, 11^th February 2009

Wednesday, 11^th March 2009

Wednesday, 8^th April 2009

All at 10.00 am (Pre-meetings at 9.30 am)