Agenda item

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services which presents a briefing paper by the Leeds Health and Care Academy on workforce challenges impacting on health and care service delivery in Leeds and how partners are working to address these.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which presented a briefing paper by the Leeds Health and Care Academy on workforce challenges impacting on health and care service delivery in Leeds and how partners are working to address these.

The following were in attendance:

·  Councillor Fiona Venner, Executive Member for Equality, Health and Wellbeing

·  Councillor Salma Arif, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Active Lifestyles and Culture

·  Caroline Baria, Director of Adults and Health

·  Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health

·  Shona McFarlane, Deputy Director Social Work and Social Care Service

·  Sam Prince, Executive Director of Operations, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust (LCH)

·  Alison Kenyon, Deputy Director of Service Development Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT)

·  Kate O’Connell, Director of Leeds Health and Care Academy and Strategic Workforce

·  Jenny Lewis, Director of HR and Organisational Development, LTHT

The Chair invited the Executive Member for Equality, Health and Wellbeing to provide some introductory comments and then invited the Director of Leeds Health and Care Academy and Strategic Workforce to highlight key aspects of the report.  In summary, the following points were made:

Ø  The Darzi review recognises the importance of staff voice, multi-disciplinary teams, technology enhanced working and clearer, more stable management in improving outcomes and experiences for patients.

Ø  Despite the significant pressure on staff across all areas of the workforce, the last year has seen some important progress and longer-term improvements which come from closer partnership working.

Ø  Multi-agency and multi-professional teams are able to work in different care settings, access systems and communicate more efficiently, improving the experience of service users and reducing duplication.

Ø  Over the last year, the Leeds Learning Portal and the Leeds Talent Hub have been key enablers for partners to increase engagement in training and development and supporting future workforce to secure and succeed in their chosen education and employment.  A particular case study example was shared with the Scrutiny Board.

Ø  The Career Compass Leeds is a digital careers platform to inform, inspire and open doors to the diversity of health and social care careers in Leeds. The platform has been developed in partnership with Leeds health and care employers, careers advisors, colleges, universities and schools and was launched in September 2024 www.careercompassleeds.co.uk.

Ø  There remains a collective focus on carers and the Third Sector workforce, with key Third Sector representatives already active members of the Partnership Leadership Team.

During the Board’s discussions, the following issues were also raised:

Ø  Narrowing inequalities – Members were advised that the Talent Hub supports individuals to achieve their potential through bespoke navigation and tailored interventions based on their ambition and personal circumstances. The service also aims to contribute towards narrowing inequalities by engaging with and recruiting from the most disadvantaged areas, as well as ensuring that the diversity of the Leeds health and care workforce better reflects the people it serves.

Ø  Generating greater awareness – While over 5000 employees from all parts of the sector and from 180 different organisations have accessed the digital learning portal this year, Members were advised of the ongoing work being undertaken in terms of promoting the use of the portal as well as the Talent Hub.

Ø  Health and Care T Level and Apprenticeships – Members were advised of the Health and Care T Level as a unique collaboration with partners across Leeds to deliver a two-year programme for students looking to develop knowledge and practical skills within the health and care sector. It was reported that 82% of students in the first cohort went on to further studies in health and social care at University or through an Apprenticeship, demonstrating the success of the Leeds T Level approach as an alternative educational pathway.

In conclusion, the Chair welcomed the report and thanked everyone for their contribution to the Board’s discussion.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report, along with Members comments, be noted.