Agenda item

This paper provides an update to Scrutiny on the Council’s approach to quality assurance and its relationship with the CQC; options for keeping Scrutiny informed of CQC inspections; the work that is underway with Sevacare and the CQC in light of the recent inspection; and the progress that has been made in delivering the improvement plan for KLOE 5 – “Is the service well led?” in relation to the CQC Inspection of Haringey’s Community Reablement Service.

The panel considered the report of the Interim Director of Adult Services, and Assistant Director for Commissioning, setting out the Council’s approach to quality assurance and its relationship with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

During the discussion, reference was made to the following:

-       Sections 5 and 48 of the Care Act 2014.

-       The roles and responsibilities of the Safeguarding Adult Board.

-       Ensuring links between quality assurance and safeguarding were made,  understood and followed through when delivering value for money commissioned services.

-       The Council’s plans, set out in the Corporate Plan and Market Position Statement, for transforming adult social care that placed greater emphasis on supporting people to manage their own care through personalisation, early intervention and prevention.

-       The need for effective quality assurance to be informed by good feedback and engagement, notably from users and cares, but also from wider stakeholders including the CQC, providers and staff, Healthwatch, the CCG and other agencies.

-       Options for keeping scrutiny informed of CQC inspections. It was noted that nationally the CQC had indicated a keenness to work with the scrutiny function of local authorities in a more proactive and joined up way. It was proposed that the CQC should be invited to attend scrutiny on an annual basis to: set out their inspection programme; talk through any emerging themes; and to ensure awareness of the standards and approach being adopted.   

-       The progress that has been made in delivering an improvement plan (set out in Appendix A to the report) in relation to the CQC Inspection of Haringey’s Community Reablement Service.

-       Work that was underway with Sevacare in light of a recent CQC inspection that had found people using the service were at significant risk of receiving inappropriate or unsafe care.

Charlotte Pomery, Assistant Director for Commissioning, informed the panel that Sevacare, a large home care agency, had a block contract with the Council until 31 March 2011. It was noted that this contract had expired and the Council no longer had a contract with Sevacare. However, it was explained Sevacare had remained a high volume provider in the borough, albeit with diminishing volumes of work.

Beverley Tarka, Interim Director of Adult Services, advised that the most recent CQC inspection of Sevacare had taken place in December 2014. The CQC had found seven breaches of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2010. It was noted the CQC would take enforcement action against the registered persons and would report further on this once completed.  

The following points were noted:  

-       Following the announcement of the inspection results, the Council’s Establishment Concern Procedure had been instigated and as a result an immediate suspension of new care packages with Sevacare had been put in place.

-       Referrals to Sevacare would remain formally suspended for the foreseeable future.

-       New referrals would be made to alternative providers.

-       The roles and responsibilities of the Safeguarding Adults Team in relation to activity in respect of Sevacare.

-       Haringey funded clients would be reviewed and if they wanted to change their contract to receive care from a different provider the Council would support them to do this.  However, it was noted that not everyone using the Sevacare service may want to change, especially if they were satisfied with their individual carer(s). 

-       An Improvement Board had been established with senior managers from the Council and Sevacare as well as appropriate local branch officers, to implement a robust improvement plan.

-       The senior management team of Sevacare had removed their local branch manager and had brought in a Quality Assurance manager and a Director of Operations to oversee implementation of the improvement plan.

In developing the 2015/16 scrutiny work programme the panel agreed that they should contribute to quality assurance activity of care providers operating across the borough. It was agreed that input from the CQC at their next meeting would help with this task.    

AGREED:

1.    That the Council’s overall approach to Quality Assurance and specific updates regarding recent CQC inspections of Sevacare and of Haringey’s Community Reablement Service, outlined in the report, be noted.

2.    That the CQC be invited to attend scrutiny on an annual basis, to set out their inspection programme, and that this be discussed further under item 11 on the agenda – Work Programme Development.