Agenda item

[Report of the Assistant Director for Commissioning. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health.]

This report provides a response to implementing the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommendations on care home commissioning.

Councillor Connor introduced the scrutiny review, thanking all participants and setting out that the review had been undertaken not to look at any individual care setting but to gain a deeper understanding of the process and how, as a local authority, the Council best placed to instigate change and improvements. Participants in the review had appreciated that they were being listened to by the Council and there was an opportunity to discuss their ideas, hopes and aspirations for the service.

The aim of the review was to improve systems to directly enhance both the staffing offer and retention and the client experiencing the care alongside their Carer.

In identifying these key themes within each of the areas, it was hoped that the recommendations could assist not only in the development of a skilled and valued workforce within a recognised body encompassing pay, conditions and training, but also that the Providers would be supported both within their funding to remain a stable provision both within Haringey and surrounding boroughs.

Cllr Connor, felt that there had been a ground swell of opinion to establish a professional body to represent carers, ensuring better pay & rights, developing professional status and allowing professional qualifications with a regular pay review. This recommendation was above the curve but the Panel felt that this was an evitable progression arising from the recognition of the key role of carers.

Cllr Connor outlined that there were individual recommendations for clients and carers, which have been identified to support their choice and independence whilst ensuring they gain access to the best care. Cllr Connor spoke about establishing an information portal which was both accessible to both client and professionals. She outlined that providing accessible information was imperative at what could be a stressful time for clients and carers. Cllr Connor highlighted that this was essentially about knowing what to ask for which could be difficult when entitlements to services may not be known or understood. A hard copy of the care pathway guide was referred to as an excellent example of setting out what to ask for and when.

Cllr Connor concluded by stating the important role for Scrutiny in continuing to listen to residents in the social care settings.

In response to the recommendations, the Cabinet Member for Adults thanked the Adults and Health Scrutiny Panel for considering the commissioning of care homes for Haringey residents. This was an important issue and any opportunity to learn from best practice elsewhere and to enhance practice in Haringey was much welcomed.

The Cabinet Member drew attention to the response to recommendations which makes clear that there is a lot of work going on in the Adults social care area and with fellow boroughs in the NCL region regarding examining the way in which commissioning is working. There was a recognition of the importance of care homes sector. The Council were further exploring local area co-ordinators, new reach and connect service and social prescribing and how all these things will work together in the next few years. In this context. the report was also welcomed for the ideas and recommendations that it offered.

The Cabinet Member added that the first recommendation on the professional body for care workers, was a great idea but would likely need to be a national body to have an impact .The idea of having professional employment routes for carers was strongly supported.

RESOLVED

To agree the response to the recommendations of the Review of Care Home Commissioning, carried out by Adults and Health Scrutiny Panel and endorsed by Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Reasons for decision

There is a duty on Cabinet to respond to a report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee – and in any event, the commissioning of care homes are both important issues for local residents, contributing to improved health and wellbeing.

Alternative options considered

There is a duty on Cabinet to respond to a report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and therefore no alternative option was considered.