Agenda item

To consider the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the QSR for the second quarter of 2017/18 (July to September 2017) relating to Adult Social Care and Housing.  An overview of the third quarter of 2017/18 will also be provided.

Panel members are asked to give advance notice to the Overview and Scrutiny Team of any questions relating to the Quarterly Service Report where possible.

The Panel considered the latest trends, priorities and pressures in terms of departmental performance as reported in the QSR for the second quarter of 2017/18 (July to September 2017) relating to Adult Social Care, Health and Housing.

The Director of Adult Social Care, Health and Housing made a presentation highlighting recent and current activity:

• The 3 conversations model had been bedded into     practice and would be a focus for 2018/19, shaping operational delivery for the years ahead.  This change of approach involved a first conversation about the general issues and needs of an individual when they first presented to the Council; a second conversation about the availability of support and assistance in the short-term; and a third conversation where, if they met the eligibility criteria, a full assessment would be carried out and the appropriate services commissioned. 
• The two Community Connectors had made a good start introducing themselves to the community, have received referrals from Learning Disability and Adult Community teams and were making contact with social prescribers.  They were also helping to identify where gaps in provision existed.
• The Out of hours Multi-Agency Adults Safeguarding Hub (MASH) was being set up having regard to the needs of each unitary Authority and buy-in from the Strategic Partnership was now sought to ensure a successful and timely operational delivery (the police, probation and health partners had been very supportive of the process so far).
• Forestcare had been successful in winning two external monitoring contracts, for authorities in Merseyside and Wales.
• Town Centre Community Safety had improved with a 32% reduction in shoplifting and a 27% reduction in criminal damage compared to same quarter last year.  Further investigation of why premises had not signed up for the Safe Places scheme was being carried out.
• BFC My Benefits had gone live from mid November 2017 and had proved very popular.  In the first month 1,392 customers had opened an account and of these, 734 went on to open access to and progress their claim.
• Work has begun on preparation for the Homeless Reduction Act, using new funding to help meet what was expected to be a significant increase in demand for services.
• The Council had entered into a contract with Places for People to develop the Council owned site, The Lodge, which would help people with learning disabilities to live independently.
• Self Care Week had been most successful and the biggest ever, comprising 42 events, with 17 student volunteers, 95,000 people reached on social media, 16,000 video views, 12,500 community map visits, and the largest walking group session organised.
• Public Health ran their largest ever mental health event for children and young people which took place at the Madejski Stadium.
• Preparation for a range of new health improvement programmes have been put in place, including activities such as Chair Yoga and Park Runs, all of which were partnership projects with residents.
• On-line health improvement programmes with residents continued to extend their reach with a steady increase in the size of the Facebook Community and the number of Portal views each quarter.

Arising from questions and discussion, the Panel noted:

• Q2 showed a substantial increase in the number household nights in non self-contained accommodation.  A number of households with complex needs had been difficult to place in long term accommodation, but this had now been resolved and there was currently nobody in B&B accommodation.
• Good progress was being made in working with individuals suffering with their mental health, including ways to re-connect them with the community, liaising with GPs and signposting to the services available.