Agenda item

7.1

The Committee received a report of the Director of Adult Services providing an update on improvements with regard to quality care provision for adults with a learning disability in Sheffield.

7.2

In attendance for this item were Phil Holmes (Director of Adult Services) and Andrew Wheawall (Head of Mental Health/Learning Disabilities and Transition).

7.3

The report indicated that, in mid-2013, following changes in management arrangements, concerns had been raised about the quality of care within residential, short break and day services for adults with learning disabilities provided by Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust (SHSC) and the City Council.  Both organisations carried out extensive investigations that resulted in detailed improvement plans, and the Committee had asked for feedback on progress in January 2016, and further requested an update be provided in early 2017 in order to ensure that the Council was maintaining its focus in this area.  The report contained a summary of outstanding actions reported to the Committee in January 2016, together with details of action taken, and details with regard to future areas for development in 2017.

7.4

Members of the Committee raised questions, and the following responses were provided:-

·                There were adequate systems in place to ensure that the needs of younger people were properly assessed to ensure that their transition to Adult Social Care went as smoothly as possible.  The Service would continue to look at what processes could be put in place to make such transition even smoother.

·                Recent surveys in respect of the quality of respite care and short-term placements provided in the City had resulted in very positive feedback.

·                Although it should not be the case, and it was not Council policy to do so, the Council was still using out of City placements for people with autism.  There was a need for transformational work to be undertaken in order to try and ensure such people were brought back to the City.  More effort was required to ensure that such people were removed from institutionalised settings.

·                It was acknowledged that a high number of people with learning disabilities were given work placements in charity shops.  Such placements were supported by both the Council and the charity shops on the basis that they were viewed as suitable placements for them, and could help in the development of their social skills, prior to them moving on to other jobs.

7.5

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)       notes the contents of the report now submitted, together with the responses provided to the questions raised; and

(b)       welcomes the improvements made in terms of quality care provision for adults with a learning disability in Sheffield.