To receive apologies for absence (to include reasons, where appropriate) from Members /Officers.

Apologies for absence were received from the following Members/Officer for the reasons so given:-

Councillor L C Morgan – Holiday

Councillor M W Butcher – Holiday

Councillor P John – Unwell

Sue Cooper – Work commitments

To receive declarations of personal and prejudicial interest (if any) from Members/Officers in accordance with the provisions of the Members Code of Conduct adopted by Council from 1 September 2008 (including Whipping Declarations)

The following Members declared an interest in the Agenda item so stated:-

Councillor N Farr declared a personal interest in Agenda item 5. in that she was a Social Worker (in Mental Health) within a neighbouring authority.

Councillor E Venables declared a personal interest in Agenda item 5. in that a family relative had in the past received services to support dementia.   

To receive for approval, the minutes of a meeting of the Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee dated 8 September 2015

RESOLVED:                  That the Minutes of a meeting of the Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee dated 8 September 2015 be approved as a true and accurate record.

The Assistant Chief Executive – Legal and Regulatory Services submitted a report, the purpose of which, was to present the items due to be considered at the Committee meeting to be held on 13 January 2016; seek confirmation of the information required for the subsequent scheduled meeting to be held on 11 February 2016, and present a list of further potential items for prioritisation by the Committee.

Arising from discussion on this item by Members, it was  

RESOLVED:

That the Committee noted the topic to be considered at the Committee meeting on 13 January 2016.

The Committee was asked by the Scrutiny Officer, to consider any specific information and research it would like the Overview and Scrutiny Team to undertake in relation to its meeting on 11 February 2016, and to consider and revise the list of future potential items for the Committees Forward Work Programme and reprioritise as the Committee feels appropriate.

·         Members requested that the item on Community Services, which is scheduled for the meeting on 11 February 2016, should include information on Rota Visits.

·         Members requested that the item on the future of Occupational Health should also be scheduled for the meeting on 11 February 2016.

Invitees:

Sue Cooper – Corporate Director - Social Services and Wellbeing

Councillor Philip White – Cabinet Member Adult Social Care and Health and Wellbeing

Avril Bracey – Group Manager – Mental Health Safeguarding and Quality

The Chairperson on behalf of Members, welcomed the Invitees to the meeting.

The Head of Adult Social Care made a very brief opening introduction, following which she introduced the Group Manager – Mental Health Safeguarding and Quality to give a resume of the report.

The Group Manager – Mental Health Safeguarding and Quality outlined certain background information contained in the report, and then confirmed that the mental health project of the Western Bay Programme had become the mental health delivery group, reporting to the LPB on progress on the “Joint Commitments Strategy”. Bridgend was represented on this group and contributed to the various work streams that comprised the mental health project.

She referred to paragraph 4.1 of the report, and the list of priorities identified within the Mental Health Commissioning Plan as identified by Western Bay.

Paragraph 4.2 of the report and its sub-paragraphs then outlined progress that had been made in certain areas of support that had been put in place to assist individuals suffering from mental health problems. Examples of these, were as follows:-

·         The Local Primary Mental Health Support Service (LPMHSS), Arc

·         A single point of access (SPA) for GP referrals into secondary mental health services (pilot) in Bridgend

·         Review of community mental health teams (to establish a new model of service)

·         A single procurement and brokerage process for high cost specialist mental health placements

·         Improving provision for those in crisis (objective of the mental health commissioning plan)

·         Improvements in terms of engagement with service users and carers

·         Introduction of The Time to Change Wales (TTCW) campaign (a Welsh Government initiative aimed at changing attitudes within the Welsh workforce in respect of mental health)

·         Addressing issues of stigma and discrimination, another priority in the mental health commissioning plan

·         Raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing with young people at schools

·         Supporting the development of an electronic library containing issues that can lead to mental health problems, and self-help guides for this

·         Supporting carers in their caring role, including the establishment of a forum  to assist this further

·         The appointment of a Local Area Co-ordinator to focus on early intervention and signposting for persons suffering from mental health issues

·         A consultation and engagement exercise on the dementia strategy and delivery plan

·         Maximising the potential of technology to support dementia sufferers through the introduction of a ‘Just Checking’ system, ie for monitoring individual movement to confirm levels of individual support required (pilot)

·         The development of a North Community Network in order to establish a dementia friendly community.

·         Collaborative initiatives within Directorates of the local authority, ie to develop a range of accommodation options for dementia sufferers eg, a floating support scheme and extra care housing

·         Funding avenues made available via the Western Bay community services project to further support dementia co-ordinators in Bridgend

The Group Manager – Mental Health Safeguarding and Quality gave an explanation on each of the above, further details upon which were expanded upon in the report.

She explained to Members that whilst much had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

Invitees:

Sue Cooper – Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing

Councillor Philip White – Cabinet Member Adult Social Care and Health and Wellbeing

Mark Wilkinson – Group Manager – Disability and Transition

The Head of Adult Social Care gave a brief introduction to the report in respect of the above matter, the purpose of which, was to provide the Committee with an update on the remodelling of learning disability services, as part of the wider remodelling Adult Social Care programme.

The Group Manager – Disability and Transition gave some background information with regard to the report, reminding Members that a previous report was considered in September 2014 explaining how the plans to reconfigure learning disability services were developing. Subsequently, and as approved by Cabinet, a number of work streams were established as part of the Development Plan for the services. Appendix 1 to the report outlined these work streams.

He then explained that a Learning Disability Service Development project had been in operation since 2012, and paragraph 4.1 of the report gave a resume on the above work streams, some of which were completed and some of which were work in progress. The elements of these were as follows:-

·        Develop of a Social Enterprise

      (For B’Leaf and Wood B)

      (Exploring further ESF funding)

·         Resettlement of Maesglas and review of the In-House Supported Living Service

(Review of staff and management arrangements in supported living)

(Agree and complete the Maesglas Plan)

·      Development of the Learning Disability aspect of the ‘New Framework of  Assessments’

(Development of Costed Care Plans)

(Development of a Transition Service Model)

·         Development of a progression Model in Accommodation Services

            (Ensure compliance with Supporting People Grant Regulations)

            (Develop Core and Cluster Service Models)

·         Development of Community based Opportunities and Support Systems

(Develop Community Hubs)

(Develop Volunteering Opportunities)

·         Design and Commission an Asset based Model of Support in the Community

(Re-tender of Supported Living Contracts)

·         Develop the use of Bridgend Resource Centre

(Review of Day Service Staff and Management Structures)

(Operate the building on a Commercial Basis)

          In respect of the Western Bay Learning Disability Project, the Group Manager –  Disability and Transition confirmed that the project had benefited from considerable input from Officers of the Council, and paragraph 4.2.1 outlined the work streams that made up this Project.

         He then expanded upon a Strategy being developed to progress Prevention and Wellbeing services, which enable people to live independently in the community, and to this end, something which was advocated under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014. Arising from this, a local community co-ordinator had been introduced based in the Llynfi Valley who provided support to individuals, and who engages in the development of community networks and support systems to help people to remain independent and live at home. Further such posts would be introduced to provide further support, advice and assistance for vulnerable people in communities, and take forward further progress being made in prevention and wellbeing work he added.

         With regard to consultation with people with a learning disability and their families, the Group Manager – Disability and Transition confirmed that as part of the Learning Disability Project Plan, there were a number of ways in which the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

The Scrutiny Officer presented a report, that provided Members with an update on the work of the Joint Research and Evaluation Panel held on the Social Services Annual Reporting Framework in June 2015.

The report gave some background information, and confirmed that the Panel met on two separate occasions; the first was on 22 June 2015 at which Members considered the report and formulated questions and lines of enquiry together with Scrutiny Officers.  The second meeting was held on 29 June 2015 where the Panel further explored the Director of Social Services Annual Report and offered comments and recommendations upon it.

This approach allowed the Panel to examine the draft report in a systematic way to identify issues to raise and discuss at their next two meetings with officers from both Directorates. Some of the Panel’s main points that were raised were contained in paragraph 4.3 of the report, and the Scrutiny Officer gave a resume of these for the benefit of those present.

The interaction with officers during the meeting was reported as being positive by Members, as was the feedback received from them.  Officers were very receptive to the Panel’s comments and reported the process as being extremely useful.

The Scrutiny Officer added that the Panel were advised that their comments and views, would be taken on board, and the report would be revised to reflect these and incorporate appropriate changes proposed.  The finalised report was then submitted to Council at its meeting on 15 July 2015 for approval.

RESOLVED:              The Committee noted the report, which provided Members with

                                   an update on the work of the Joint Research and Evaluation

                                   Panel on the Social Services Annual Reporting Framework.              

To consider any items of business in respect of which notice has been given in accordance with Part 4 (paragraph 4) of the Council Procedure Rules and which the person presiding at the meeting is of the opinion should by reason of special circumstances be transacted at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

None