Issue - meetings

Report of Learning and Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator enclosed.

(a)    That the 2011/12 Quarter 3 performance reports produced by the Head of Service be noted; and

(b)    That feedback on any challenge be provided to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

The Director of Community Services and Head of Social Services for Adults introduced a report to request that the Committee consider the 2011/12 Quarter 3 service performance reports, note the update on the Strategic Assessment of Risks and Challenges (SARC) contained within the performance reports and note the progress made against the Improvement Target Action Plans contained within the performance reports.

            The Director of Community Services and Head of Social Services for Adults gave a short presentation on the performance within each of the service areas, outlining work which had been undertaken to improve performance and areas where improvement was needed, as outlined within each report.    

Social Services for Adults

            Councillor H.G. McGuill raised concern on the Occupational Therapy Service which was not meeting the needs of the service users.  She recognised that improvements had been made to the service but said that more work needed to be done around working with voluntary organisations.

            The Head of Social Services for Adults explained the process for dealing with Occupational Therapy referrals which were dealt with by a dedicated team which covered three service areas.  The Service Manager explained that a lean review had been carried out around the time spent waiting for an assessment and how to improve this.  Each year the Council received around 2,000 referrals but a range of improvements were being introduced together with additional resources to improve the service.  The lean review also identified areas of expertise and where it was important to have a skills mix within the teams.   

            The Executive Member for Social Services confirmed that improvements had been made to the service, but acknowledged that additional resources were required to provide further improvements.

            In response to comments on working with the voluntary sector, the Head of Social Services for Adults reported that the Council did work with the voluntary sector.      

            RESOLVED:

(a)       That the 2011/12 Quarter 3 performance reports produced by Heads of Service be noted; and

(b)       That feedback on any challenge be provided to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee.