Agenda item

8.1  Councillor Noakes and Members outlined a series of recommendations in response to the day care consultation: 

1.  That the Sub-Committee recognises the context of national Government cuts and late notification of Southwark funding in 2010, but that future changes to service provision should aim to involve providers and service users at the earliest possible stage. Engagement and consultation should not be less than 3 months where possible, in accordance with national consultation guidance.

2.  That older people using services should have the option of continuing to use existing services, which they are happy with and which continue to be available and financially viable. Where such provision is no longer available service users, particularly older people, should receive sufficient support to make an appropriate transition to an alternative system – including, for example, through a local advocacy and brokerage service run by users.

3.  That the future of council-run services and resources should always be considered in conjunction with the review of voluntary sector services to ensure an integrated review and outcome for all services in Southwark. This is relevant to older people’s day care services currently, but is an important principle for services generally.

4.  That Southwark adult social care staff should be “active facilitators and partners” in supporting interested voluntary sector providers to identify sustainable business plans including current and potential providers.

5.  That any new model of services should seek to maintain the valued and recognised benefits of existing day care services and uphold best practice as far as possible and economically feasible.

6.  That assessments of existing older service users to identify potential personal budget users should be carried out face to face and prioritised to ensure that service users are able to exercise genuine choice and independence in regards to how their future needs are supported. This may include providing a support service to help manage the budget and information on becoming an employer for example.

7.  To consider the opportunities of maintaining “open access” services to bring in additional financial resources to support viable business models for voluntary providers and maximise volunteering opportunities. The sub-committee does not approve of limiting the use of personal budgets for example – service users should be able to purchase the support they require from a range of appropriate providers.

8.  That work to build and develop the market in personalised services and support and advice structures is crucial in ensuring genuine choice and support for service users and carers as services change. The sub-committee hopes to examine the council’s role as a market stimulator at a future stage.

9.  To recognise the importance of a co-ordinated and “joined up” Council response from other departments, such as property, in maximising the opportunities for existing voluntary service providers to be sustainable. The sub-committee also acknowledges the importance of service providers developing their own sustainability and ensuring services are run on a full cost recovery basis for non-council supported users (i.e. people not meeting FACS eligibility criteria).

10.  To investigate the value and importance of local authority funding for voluntary sector partners in successfully attracting additional match funding from alternative external funding sources, and consider any role the Council can play to influence or change funding criteria.

11.  That the council seek to ring-fence any ‘additional’ revenue received from the Government’s pledge to ensure an extra £2 billion nationally reaches social care services in this Parliament.

12.  That Southwark council maximise the benefits of carers week and day and utilises the Carers UK resources and Carers Direct to support the families of people needing care and support.

13.  That the council review the age and carers’ strategies, including to reflect changes in national policy and funding, and engages with service users, representative organisations, providers, the sub-committee and other departments and stakeholders to ensure a long-term vision for adult care in Southwark is developed.

14.  That the council review the contract with Anchor Care and seeks to renegotiate terms if possible due to funding changes and national policies, including on benefits for care home residents, shifting.