Agenda item

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report and appendices to consider the scope of its consideration of the personalisation agenda, taking account of the recommendations presented on behalf of the Proposals Working Group and any future activity of that Working Group.

Following the Executive Board meeting held on the 8^th of October 2008 where it was resolved that Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Care) be requested to monitor progress of the personalisation agenda, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report and appendices to consider the scope of its consideration of the personalization agenda, taking account of the recommendations presented on behalf of the Proposals Working Group (PWG) held on 12^th December 2008.

Subject to the agreement of this Scrutiny Board, the Working Group agreed to focus on the following areas:

Ø  The common assessment framework

Ø  Resource allocation system

Ø  Progress of the early implementer project

The Board was reminded that routine reports on progress against action points contained in the Independence Wellbeing and Choice action plan were already scheduled to be routinely reported to the Proposals Working Group.

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

-  Appendix 1 - Executive Board Report – 8^th October 2008 – Putting People   First – Vision and Commitment to the Transformation of Adult Social   Care.

-  Appendix 2 – Proposals Working Minutes of the meeting held on 12^th   December 2008.

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

Dennis Holmes, Chief Officer, Commissioning

Jemima Sparks, Programme Manager

The main areas of clarification and discussion were:

·  Clarification on whether any of the service users had any regrets transferring to the direct payment system.

In response, the officer informed the meeting that this information was not immediately available but could be provided at a later date.  He estimated that 685 service users were now on the direct payment system in the city, subject to annual review. 

It was also pointed out that service users have the right to choose and that the department was prepared to re-look at any individual support system and reassess the needs of dissatisfied service users currently on the direct payment system.

·  Clarification of the membership of the Members’ Forum.

In response, the Board was reminded that the Elected Members engagement will be aided by a cross party Members Work Group chaired by Bill Rollinson, an independent Social care expert and supported by the Director of Adult Social Services.  The Board was informed that two Members from each political group had been nominated by their Party Whips to sit on this forum, which had not been established for very long. A full list of the forum membership will be provided to the Board.

·  What stage is the department at with the work on the Early Implementer Project to test out methodology developing.

  In response, the Officer informed the meeting that the Early Implementer project will be the first opportunity to transfer current service users to the Self Directed Support (SDS) model, testing the new processes and procedures developed by the project  team. The four Social Workers

  appointed to undertake this project had only started on Monday so the department is at the very early stage of the project.  The Board requested additional background information about the project followed by regular quarterly project update reports.

·  What type of Service User will be looked at in the representational group of 50 or is it just older people. 

  In response, the officer informed the meeting that they are looking across the board at all adult service user groups, although it is recognized that some people have more than one need.  The department has already started  with those service users who have learning difficulties.

The Chair thanked Officers for their attendance.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That 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 )  To agree that the Proposals Working Group focus on the areas   outlined above. 

(d)  That quarterly update reports be submitted to the Board on the Early   Implementer Project, including information regarding age and the geographical area the 50 cohorts live in. 

(e )  That the first quarterly report be submitted within the next three months   to either the April 2008 Board meeting or an additional meeting at the beginning of May, date to be confirmed.