Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care, and Well-Being.

To consider the report of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (19 020 651) and confirm the actions that the Council has taken or proposes to take, under the requirements of the Local Government Act 1974, section 31(2) (as amended).

The Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care, and Well-Being introduced the report which asked Cabinet to consider the report of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (19 020 651) and confirm the actions that the Council has taken or proposes to take, under the requirements of the Local Government Act 1974, section 31(2) (as amended).

The Cabinet Member described that aids and adaptations can be a complex area but accepted the service had failed to deliver service, as outlined in the report, in a timely manner. Cabinet noted that, as well as putting a plan in place to support this particular family, an action plan had also been put in place for service improvements and work with service users of aids and adaptations, including improving the communications with service users on timings and expectations for completion of aid and adaptations.

In response to questions from Cllr Bevan, Cllr Brabazon, Cllr Cawley- Harrison the following was noted:

-       With regards to having confidence in the improvement plan, the service were redoubling efforts to meet targets and the Cabinet Member and Director were monitoring this on a weekly basis.

-       The Cabinet Member expressed that providing aids and adaptations was a complex and challenging area and noted delays that would have resulted from the pandemic. However, it was accepted that the service was not proactive with communications with residents when there were delays. The improvement plan sought to rectify this with expert advice in this area and would seek views from people in receipt of service. There were workforce capacity issues when considering the specific access needed to occupational therapists and surveyors. The Council were examining re- grading in house surveyors in order to attract further specific skilled staff to this area. The staff were also considering performance management of staff and recognised the need for a sharp focus on responding to resident needs .

-       System of client needs and increased tracking and monitoring to be completed.

-       Working through to improve the links between Children’s and Adult services on aids and adaptations and compiled a list of cases focused on children and families. Paediatric occupational therapy now participating in these assessments . Also children of families would become involved in the decision making to help keep the focus on the family’s needs as well as consideration of technical assessments.

-       The LGO report was published on the 9^th of December and any information shared with the LGO was shared with the Cabinet Member.

-       The Director for Adults and Health was not aware of any other Local Government Ombudsman reports to be published on Haringey complaints, concerning aids and adaptations.

RESOLVED

1.    To accept the findings and recommendations of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) in the report shown at Appendix 1.

2.    To endorse the actions taken by the Council as set out in paragraphs 6.11 to 6.14 of the report.

3.    To adopt the report as the Council’s formal response under s.31 Local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 758