Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

None.

RESOLVED: That the minutes from the meeting on 20 May 2021 be approved as an accurate record.

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

Further to correspondence issued by Democratic Services on the new scrutiny call – in procedure following the Council’s decision to transfer this responsibility to Members of the relevant Select Committee, Members received a verbal update on the procedure change. The Committee was informed that the correspondence explained the procedure, provided detailed guidance, along with a guide on how to download or use the new Scrutiny App to do this.

A report on the new scrutiny call – in procedure communicated would have been preferential to enable Members to properly scrutinise the changes. It was requested that reports rather than verbal updates be provided going forward save for exceptional circumstances.

RESOLVED: That the verbal update on the Scrutiny Call – in Procedure be noted.

The Assistant Director of Adult Social Work and the Health and Social Care Integration Manager presented the report on the Carers Strategy 20/21 and provided an overview of the achievements and the contribution the Council had made to the delivery of the strategy. The report detailed what the Council and its partners had been doing to support carers in Hillingdon and supported the 2018 – 2022 Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy priority of developing integrated, high quality social care and health services within the community of at home.

The Committee was informed that Cabinet received an annual update on the delivery of the strategy and this report enabled the Committee to consider the update before it went to Cabinet and provide comments. 

The Committee heard that the importance of supporting the needs of carers to the sustainability of the local health and care system was recognised by health and care partners, particularly considering the pandemic. The report identified progress on the specific actions identified for 2020/21 and also how the Council and partners had responded to the pressures resulting from the pandemic. In this context proposed priorities for 2021/22 included:

·       Restoring face to face services, especially so that Carers could have ‘time out’ away from where they provided care.

·       Exploring with Carer Leads in GP practices and Carers Trust Hillingdon how to identify and support Carers who may be reluctant to attend practices.

·       Refining the process for identifying and recording Carers with multiple caring responsibilities within Social Care.

·       Delivering the guide for people who suddenly became Carers.

·       Reviewing the role of the Carers’ Strategy Group. This group previously had responsibility for overseeing the development and delivery of the Carers’ Strategy, but, as mentioned in paragraph 10, Covid-19 restrictions prevented it from meeting during 2020/21.

It was reported that Carers Trust Hillingdon led the Hillingdon Carers Trust Partnership (HCP) and held the Carer Support Services contract with the Council on behalf of HCP. It was reported that the HCP had been successful in meeting the needs of carers and that the partnership model had enabled additional resources to be secured to provide a range of services without the need for carers having to undergo a carer’s assessment. The Committee requested that any comparative performance information be shared.

Following Member questions, it was confirmed that baseline estimates for the number of carers in the Borough was based on the 2011 Census, an approach also used by Carers Trust UK. It was noted that data from the 2021 Census that had just been completed would provide more up to date information, including reflecting the impact of the pandemic on the number of people undertaking a caring role. The Committee was reminded a review of the Carers’ Strategy had been deferred pending the availability of the data from the census.

There had been ongoing work on the guidance for people who suddenly become carers however there needed to be partner and carer consultation before this could be delivered. It was highlighted that there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Community Development Manager introduced the report on Telecare and provided a summary of the key highlights. An update was provided on the service and performance levels of the TeleCare Line and Out of Hours Service delivered by Hanover/Anchor Trust. The Council retained responsibility for the delivery of some front facing resident support functions, including home visits from responders in the event of alarm alerts and responsibility for installation and maintenance of TeleCare Line equipment.

It was reported that as per the service level agreement, the expectation was for the contractor to answer 97.5% of all TeleCare Line alarm calls within 60 seconds and 90% of all out of hours calls within 60 seconds. Performance had remained consistent and above target each month. It was highlighted that there had been a drop in the target levels for out of hours calls, however this was addressed directly with Anchor and a changes to working practices were made. Target levels now remained consistent.

The contract with Anchor was due to end December 2021 and market testing was currently being undertaken. TeleCare Line was still an important service with many residents taking up the service

In future reporting, the Committee agreed that it would be useful to hear comments and customer satisfaction information from residents on ways the service could be improved, additional information regarding clients under 65 (the disability sector), information on how the 6812 users of the service were spread geographically within the Borough.

Although the TeleCare Line was linked to the Committee’s major review, it was noted that the review considered the Telecare area as a whole and this was a small aspect of the service.

Following Member questions, it was confirmed that vulnerable callers were identified by the social care team and, if required, further interventions and signposting was required for service users. The different tier mobile responders was clarified for the Committee and it was noted that at tiers 2 and 4,  the Council provided a mobile response service as these service users had no named responders unlike services users in tiers 1 and 3.

The Committee commended the services and considered it positive to see the progress made. The service was key in prevention and keeping people independent and Members recognised the enormous benefit it made to the health and social care economy.

RESOLVED: That the update report on TeleCare Line be noted.

The Committee considered the scoping report on Assisted Living Technologies.

It was confirmed that the terms of reference outlined the process for understanding the current offer, exploring examples of better practice, understanding the market, exploring demand and care provisions and considering opportunities available to improve the service. The review was considered to be timely in light of the pandemic.

It was agreed that of the terms of reference be amended to reflect the inclusion of managing long term conditions and Members were keen to investigate the limitations people faced in accessing services. It was decided that the terms of reference be expanded to include wider market engagement. The Committee would also have an opportunity to have sight of the apps used by services users and a demonstration would be provided. The Committee was keen to explore how ALT was spread across the Borough geographically.

It was noted that topic of review had been proposed from the previous Social Care, Housing and Public Health Committee.

In order to explore the topic in depth and make meaningful and practical recommendations, the Committee decided to expand the variety of witnesses to include Brunel University, advocacy groups such as AGE UK and local service users and their carers (both in person and surveys). Members were keen to meet with service users to hear their thoughts and were open to exploring this as witness sessions outside of the usual Committee meetings to create a more comfortable environment. 

RESOLVED: That the feedback and suggestions be considered, and the scoping report be updated and noted.

Subject to the Families, Health & Wellbeing Select Committee’s approval, the Corporate Parenting Panel agreed to amend its terms of reference to hold quarterly meetings rather than six meetings a year.

The Committee approved the terms of reference to include quarterly meetings.

It was agreed that Democratic Services would provide further information on the Corporate Parenting Panel’s membership confirmation.

Members present at the Corporate Parenting Panel meeting on 27 May 2021, provided an overview of the meeting noting that key priorities identified were explored and the Independent Review Officer’s report was considered. It was also reported that the Panel heard insight from care leavers and overall it was a good meeting.

It was noted that had been discussions with Member development regarding corporate parenting training.

RESOLVED: That the verbal update on the Corporate Parenting Panel be noted.

Members questioned why reports such as the Older People’s Plan Update and the Schools Capital Programme had been scheduled for Cabinet prior to them being scrutinised by the Select Committee. It was also questioned why the schools places planning update was quarterly and what had happened to the adult education review considered by the previous education committee.  It was agreed that Democratic Services would consider the points raised and feedback to the Committee.

RESOLVED: That the forward plan be noted.

At the request of the Committee, Democratic Services would liaise with officers to agree dates for information reports on Youth Service update and Early Years Provision Update.

RESOLVED: That the work programme be noted.