Agenda item

To receive and consider a report from the Chief Officer Social Care Commissioning, which provides the Board with an update on progress against specific actions in the Adult Inspection Action Plan.

The Chief Officer Social Care Commissioning submitted a report and appendices as agreed at the 10^th December 2008 Board meeting that an update of progress against specific actions in the Adult Inspection Action Plan be provided to this Board.

The Board resolved to undertake two areas of specific safeguarding inquiries, the first one being Strengthening Strategic Partnerships (Recommendations 3, 7, 8 and 25 as outlined in the submitted report).

Appended to the report was a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding and Supporting Annexes.

Dennis Holmes, Chief Officer Social Care Commissioning gave a brief outline of his report and, together with Sandie Keene, Director of Adult Social Services  responded to Members’ questions and comments. 

It was reported that the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee were looking directly at the multi-agency governance arrangements to be implemented by the Director of Adult Social Services to meet national standards and to help ensure the protection of vulnerable adults. 

Before questions could commence on the report Members sought clarification on the allegations expressed by a Council whistleblower interviewed by Look North television which had been broadcast on 10^th February 2009.  It was alleged that the vulnerable would suffer as a result of proposals by Leeds City Council to reduce the number of qualified staff and replace them with unqualified, less experienced and low paid staff resulting in fewer assessments and a degeneration in services. 

A long discussion ensued and the Director of Adult Social Services informed the meeting that the Council had made a statement to Look North rejecting the claim that the proposals would put people at risk. The Council asserted that the service would in fact be improved as there was due to be greater investment in front line support. Discussions were taking place between staff and trade unions to iron out any problems.  All Members of Council were to be given an explanation and update on this issue on the 11^th February 2009.  Members requested that the background information including the facts and figures are reported to the next Proposals Working Group for consideration. 

The Co-optees suggested that the Director’s explanation should be shared with partner organisations, Leeds Involvement Group and Leeds Advocacy Support, to promote understanding within the voluntary sector and engender support to the Social Services department.

The Board returned to the report and Members asked for an update following recruitment for the Head of Safeguarding post.  In response the Chief Commissioning Officer informed the meeting that candidates would normally have to give three months notice after being offered the post, however there may be scope for reducing this time via negotiation. No firm job offer would  be made until the candidate had successfully been processed through the usual pre-employment checks. 

The Officer also informed the meeting that a letter had gone out to all the partnership organisations asking them to nominate people for the Leeds Safeguarding Adult Partnerships Board and its Sub Groups and had achieved a 50% success rate.  A reminder letter would also be sent to those organisations who had not yet responded.  The first meeting of the revised Safeguarding Board was due to take place on 18^th February 2009, therefore, nominations were needed before the Board meeting takes place.

Members were advised that that the minutes of the Safeguarding Board meeting to be held on 18^th February 2009 were due to be submitted to the next Proposals Working Group.

Clarification was sought on the two cases identified to be used as a pilot for the serious case review process.

In response, the Officer informed the meeting that with serious case reviews there was a statutory requirement to set up an independent Sub Group of the Partnership Board to oversee serious case review function which would then be reported back to the Partnership Board with lessons learnt and recommendations for action to be taken by the partners to improve how they work together.

The Chair thanked Officers for their attendance.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices in relation to the Adult   Inspection Adult Plan be noted. 

(b)   That the involvement of Corporate Governance and Audit Committee in   the overview of risk management arrangements and emerging   governance arrangements arising out of the anticipated revisions to ‘No   Secrets’ guidance be noted.

(c )  That an update on the allegations by the whistleblower will be issued to all Members of Council by the Director of Social Services be noted.

(d)  That the Director of Social Services submit an update report to the   Proposals Working Group on the facts and figures regarding the   modernisations proposals. 

(e)  That any outstanding issues referred to above be dealt with by those   Officers now identified within the minutes.