Issue - meetings

Work Programme

Meeting: 14/10/2019 - Health and Social Care Scrutiny Commission (Item 6)

6 Work Programme

Scopes for the two proposed reviews are enclosed:

 

·  Quality assurance of care homes

 

·  Mental health of children and young people up to 25yrs

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Members discussed the Care Home quality assurance review. This review will examine how effectively the council assures itself that local residents are being looked after well in local provision and out of borough placements.

 

Local residents, Esme Dobson and Jenny Turner, who were present in the public gallery, were invited to speak on this theme. Both are campaigners on care homes. One spoke about her personal experience of raising concerns about the quality of care of a family member (rather than a safeguarding report). They made the following points:

 

-  When visiting it is important the right questions are asked

-  Dementia training is required

-  Homes ought to  be asked if residents without family advocacy are having regular visits from the Independent Lay Advocacy service

-  Relatives ought to be given independent access to council officers to raise concerns (rather than this being funnelled via the care home manager)

-  A dedicated line to raise safeguarding concerns / abuse ought to be provided

-  The present cabinet portfolio for social care is very large

 

Members thanked the residents for their insights. The scrutiny project manager will contact the above in advance of a future meeting to invite the campaign to give evidence more formally.

 

The Lay inspectors / Age Concern will be invited to a meeting to give evidence.

 

RESOLVED

 

An overview report will be requested on how the council monitor and conduct quality assurance of Southwark based care providers and for people placed out of the borough.

 

A meeting will be added in December.