Agenda item

8.1

Phil Holmes, Director of Adult Services, introduced three members of staff from a cross-section of the service that provides Adult Social Care in the city.  In turn, they each gave an account of a “story of difference” which was underpinned by the new “Conversations Count” approach, which was about listening to people and understanding what matters to them, what a good life could be for them and their families and by acknowledging their strengths and what could be achieved.  Phil Holmes added that developing this approach had taken time through reducing bureaucracy and the Service was still trying to reduce it some more.  He thanked the members of staff and added that, they were doing a brilliant job but very often didn’t get the recognition they deserved. 

8.2

Also in attendance for this item was Judy Robinson (Chair, Healthwatch Sheffield).

8.3

Phil Holmes then introduced a report which provided an update on Adult Social Care Performance since the last time this topic was brought before the Committee in January, 2018.  He referred to the key measures of how well care and support services achieve the outcomes that matter most to people and the data provided in the report was at council, regional and national level.  He then referred to the measures which were grouped into four domains, which were, ensuring the quality of life for people with care and support needs; delaying and reducing the need for care and support; ensuring that people have a positive experience of care and support and safeguarding adults whose circumstances make them vulnerable and protecting them from harm.  Mr. Holmes said there had been an increase in those people receiving support whilst still living at home, the previous regime would have been to place someone into care and this was an improving picture.

8.4

Members made various comments and asked a number of questions, to which responses were provided as follows:-

·                     Following a question regarding children leaving special schools, it was suggested that the Director Lifelong Learning, Skills and Communities and Dawn Shaw (Head of Libraries and Community Services), be invited to attend a meeting of this Committee to give an update on the work being carried out to assist young adults with learning disabilities get into employment.

·                     The Disabled Facilities Grant which was available from Local Authorities to pay for essential housing adaptations to help disabled people stay in their own homes and live an independent life, give people flexibility but more could still be done.  People don’t always want nor need someone coming into their homes.

·                     There was a need to engage with the recommendations made in the HealthWatch report into Home Care, and a recognition that there is more that can be done to improve Home Care in Sheffield.  Direct Payments in Sheffield are lower than the national average, but we need to improve the way we deliver homecare and make direct payments to people to help them have more control over their needs.

·                     There was a need to increase support to carers, including raising awareness of carers organisations amongst staff so they are able to signpost people.

·                     There is a need to ensure that the system is as easy as possible to navigate, so that advocacy workers can focus on complex cases and people who really need their assistance.

·                     A range of initiatives through fairer charging will continue to give support to people to pay their contributions for the care they receive and prevent them getting into debt.  The Council will introduce a service for those who cannot manage their money to get help.

8.5

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)       thanks Phil Holmes (Director of Adult Social Care), the staff who came and delivered their “Stories of Difference” for their contribution to the meeting;

(b)       notes the contents of the report and the Member and officer comments; and

(c)        thanked HealthWatch for their continuing work in supporting the people of Sheffield.