Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Eginton. Councillor Gardner was present as his substitute.

None.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 2017 be approved as a correct record.

It was confirmed that there were no Part II items, and that all business would therefore be conducted in public.

Consideration was given to the Adult Safeguarding Board’s Annual Report, introduced by Stephen Ashley, Chairman of the Board, and supported by Tony Zaman, Corporate Director - Adults, Children and Young People, and Andrea Nixon - LSCB and SAB Business Manager.

The Committee was informed that the report had been published later than expected, due to difficulties in obtaining data from partner agencies. As a consequence, the data contained within the report was now somewhat historic, and the value of that data was therefore reduced. Executive and Board Members had since met and spoken to partner agencies to impress upon them the importance of timely reporting, and it was expected that this would be improved moving forward.

In comparison to the previous year’s report, there was a renewed focus on good governance and regular assessment of the work being undertaken. To enable this, a new performance management framework had been implemented, which would allow for a detailed review of the work being undertaken by partners. Such reviews would allow for the identification of potential problems, which would then instigate the necessary actions to address those problems. Results of performance auditing would be submitted to the Executive Board Members for review. Partners would then be held to account, in cases of underperformance.

The Board’s priorities for the next 12 months were set out within the report. These included an increased emphasis on addressing domestic abuse. Following the completion of two domestic homicide reviews, the Board was working closely with the Safer Hillingdon Partnership to ensure awareness and engagement across the Borough. A new strategic lead for domestic abuse was now in post.

In terms of working practices, the Board’s approach was moving towards targeting specific areas of focus, such as suicide prevention or modern day slavery. It had been recognised that slavery in particular was an issue prevalent within the local area, due to the regular entry of people into the UK.

As a result of the newly implemented performance management framework it would be easier to review the impact of the work being undertaken, and it was expected that the next annual report would predominantly be a performance report.

Members asked a number of questions, and sought clarity on the following points:

Regarding section 5.3 of the report, and the encouraging of disabled clients to keep themselves safe, how was this being carried out?

A self-assessment audit was now used to determine the accuracy of what clients were saying versus what they were doing. Detail of this would be collected over the next 12 months, for reporting within the next annual report. This would include more robust information on what training was being conducted, and by whom. It was agreed that further detail on this matter be shared with Members following the meeting.

Training in general was an issue. Training was not always mandatory, and the commonly used e-learning was not felt to be the most effective training method, as it often devolved into a ‘box-ticking’ exercise. Difficulties in budgeting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

For this witness session, the Committee was provided with evidence from Sarah Durner - Senior Officer, Sport and Physical Activity, Daniel Waller - Senior Library Services Manager, Jackie Westbrook - Manager, Yiewsley and West Drayton Community Centre, Vivian Ellis - Arts and Health Researcher, and Christopher Geake - Director, Hillingdon Mind.

Reducing loneliness in older people through wellbeing activities and events.Sarah Durner - Senior Officer, Sport and Physical Activity

The Committee was informed that the current Wellbeing events model began in 2012, with tea dances held at the Civic Centre. Feedback to the dance was good, and efforts were then made to look for creative ways to further engage with older people. Following focussed promotion within sheltered housing, care homes, social care and local organisations such as Age UK and Hillingdon Carers, the programme of events was expanded and a database of older people was compiled, to enable residents to be invited to future events. The database was maintained and added to, and currently held details of over 300 people, of whom approximately 180 regularly attended events each month.

The aim of such events was to promote local opportunities and provide access to try new things in a fun, safe, and socially engaging way, to offer information and advice about other services available, and to develop new locally based activities such as chair exercise and dementia coffee mornings. A more targeted approach included events for the housebound, the Ghurka community, and for residents living with dementia or Alzheimer's. Attendees were often invited via referrals from partners and agencies such as social care, and if necessary, transport to the venue was included. Venues included libraries, community centres, and the Civic Centre.

Events included:

·         Tea dances

·         Day of the Older Person

·         Dance for the over 65's

·         Art Workshops

·         Drumming sessions

·         Coffee mornings

·         Healthy walks

·         Intergenerational reminiscence

·         Music and flower festivals

Variety of events was felt to be key.

From experience running the events, and feedback from attendees, officers had learned that older people wanted a regular, safe, local and fun activity, where they got to know people, and where they were not asked too many questions. In addition, it was requested that older residents receive assistance when they wanted it, and when they needed it, with particular reference to receiving help with booking event attendance, arranging transport, inviting  friends, being referred, or obtaining information on other available services. Continuity of attendance was key, as it was important for the older people to see the same faces and forge lasting relationships.

Flexible booking systems were of paramount importance, and while online booking forms were available, it was understood that older people may not have access to a computer, or have the confidence in using online tools. Additional telephone booking was therefore available, whilst officers would also accommodate verbal requests in person, which was useful in building rapport and trust between the Council and its residents.

Officers had noted that transport was notalways needed, for example transport provision  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

RESOLVED:  That the Cabinet Forward Plan be noted.

It was confirmed that, following the Committee’s request for a further meeting to be added to the calendar of meetings, the date of 7 December 2017 had been reserved.

RESOLVED:  That the Work Programme 2017-18 be noted.