Agenda and draft minutes

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Zeedy Thompson (Haringey Forum for Older People)

Hazel Griffiths (Haringey Forum for Older People)

Manuela Toporowska (Haringey Forum for Older People)

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of urgent business. Where the item is already included on the agenda, it will appear under that item but new items of urgent business will be dealt with at item 8.

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A member with a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the Authority at which the matter is considered must disclose to that meeting the existence and nature of that interest at the commencement of that consideration, or when the interest becomes apparent.

A member with a personal interest in a matter also has a prejudicial interest in that matter if the interest is one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it is likely to prejudice the member’s judgement of the public interest.

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To review the scope and terms of reference

Inclusion of Black and Minority Ethnic communities and geographic equity is welcome, discussion as to whether inclusion of gender balance in services should also be looked at.

Agreed that the review will remain open minded and flexible throughout to allow for other areas to be incorporated where appropriate.  Issues identified may become recommended for further in depth review to ensure this review stays focused.

The Terms of Reference were agreed.

To receive a presentation from Tom Brown, Acting Assistant Director, Adult, Culture and Community Services Directorate.

Tom Brown, Interim Assistant Director for Adults, Adult, Culture and Community Services (ACCS) Directorate spoke about the Older Peoples Service and the pathways taken by those accessing the service.

Anyone over the age of 65years who is deemed as vulnerable is eligible for an assessment of need.

First referrals generally come from other professionals and members of a person’s family with the first point of contact being either the Initial Contact Team at Cumberland Road or the Stuart Crescent Health Centre; usually they can not manage completely independently.   Assessment is then made as to whether Social Services is the most appropriate place (as opposed to health or the Department for Work and Pensions) and also ascertain the urgency of the person’s situation.

If it is found that Social Services is the appropriate place then the complexity and urgency of the case is and whether intervention from for example the Voluntary sector is more appropriate.

The service targets to complete an assessment within 28days, although most are dealt with within 14days.  This assessment includes detailed discussions with relevant parties, judgements on risk and a persons needs in relation to all aspects of their life are looked at and the four bandings of the Fair Access to Care Services (FACS) applied.  Aim to try and reach a consensus with a person as to the best course of action.  Is a statutory service appropriate or redirection to voluntary sector?

Haringey operates within the Substantial and Critical bandings of FACS).  Currently only those assessed at Critical or Substantial levels will receive commissioned services.

Unless there is clear urgency the case then goes to the Commissioning Panel in order to consider the allocation of services.  The impact of providing or not providing a service is considered here.

Both in-house and external providers are approached to see whether any of the low level needs can be met.

A review is undertaken after 6-8 weeks and then approximately once a year.  If the person’s needs are more complex then contact is more regular.  If a person’s situation changes then contact is more frequent. This is often brought to light by a person’s carer or someone at a centre the person attends e.g. a day centre.  The aim here is to provide the optimum level of support so as not to promote over-dependence.

There is also a Higher Needs Panel.  This panel is a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency group where people’s needs are assessed as to whether they meet the National NHS Continuing Care Criteria for funding.  This is when the need is deemed to be primarily health.  People who are being discharged from hospital requiring a large package of care at home, or who are being admitted to a nursing care home are automatically presented at the panel. As is anyone who has been assessed by a health or social care professional and looks likely to meet the criteria using the decision support tool that is used in conjunction with the eligibility criteria.

There is a means test for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider key diary dates for the project.

Panel Members attendance at a Commissioning Panel meeting to be arranged asap.  This will be Members only.

Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Well-being to be invited to speak at a Panel meeting.

Commissioners and Providers to be invited to panel meeting.

Coordination of a list of places for panel to visit to be drawn up and scheduled in.

Consideration to be given to the panel members having lunch at age concern to enable them to talk to people there.

19^th November 2007

10:00-12:00

To deal with any items of urgent business admitted at item 2 above.

Yuniea Semambo                                          Melanie Ponomarenko

Head of Members Services                          Scrutiny Research Officer

225 River Park House                                                Tel No: 020 8489-2933

Wood Green N22 4HQ                                   Melanie.Ponomarenko@haringey.gov.uk

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