Agenda item

The Strategic Director for Social Care and Education, submits a report to provide the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission with an overview of the rising cost of living impacts on Adult Social Care and the responses supporting this.

Members of the Commission are recommended to note the report and pass any comments/feedback to the Strategic Director for Social Care and Education.

The Deputy City Mayor for Social Care and Anti-Poverty introduced the item and noted that this was a challenging report and the impact of the cost of living had and the level of response was limited due to resources.

The Strategic Director for Social Care and Education noted that the people who draw on social care would be the most affected by the cost of living crisis. The funding that had been provided to address this would just about enough to meet the inflationary pressures but would not allow the service to catch up.

The Director for Adult Social Care and Commissioning provided an overview of the report focussing on the impacts on Adult Social Care.

As part of the discussions, it was noted that:

·         There was a £500 workers reward scheme for carers working for CQC registered organisations with about 80% of staff in care homes and domiciliary care benefitted from this bonus and felt valued for their work

·         Signposting, advising and referrals were also a means of support for those who were struggling with the cost of living crisis to the services available to support

·         The Citizens Advice Bureau providing support and triaging priority cases with additional staff in place to get out into the communities for outreach work

·         About £4million was provided through grants in Leicester with 97% of care home staff and 89% of homecare staff benefitted providing valuable feedback

·         Members of the Commission felt that family members who provide care for loved ones missed out on the available grant and Officers noted that the grant money did have some eligibility criteria and this year’s scheme was targeted at hospital discharge although the funds were limited

·         A range of avenues were used to deliver services to those who were digitally excluded through the Communications Team, information sent out with staff and care providers and using partner organisations to also support

·         Information on the bid for Reform Grant was not available but it was noted that there was a limit on individual bids which were advertised through mailing groups and would be available on the council’s website

·         The Deputy City Mayor for Social Care and Anti-Poverty suggested Members were welcomed to provide any feedback they may have on experience of constituents with the Citizens Advice Bureau to feed into the regular practice management sessions

In further discussions it was noted that the allocation for discharge funds were £1.3million which was a combined sum for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and the timeline for the deadline of the distribution of the funds was 16 December. Future details on this could be provided following the introduction of the retention reward scheme in xmas as this was a suggested time around when people leave their roles.

Members of the Commission raised their concerns with the mental impact of the current situation and suggested it was not just a financial impact and shared their concerns that many in the adult social care service may already be impacted and the need for more localised community support for those on the front line.

The Deputy City Mayor for Social Care and Anti-Poverty noted that the broader Health Services would be commissioning Mental Health Services and this would go to the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Commission where it could be a joint meeting with both Commissions.

AGREED:

1)    That the Strategic Director for Social Care and Education and Officers be thanked for the report

2)    That the Strategic Director For the service be requested to provide a future update on the situation, and;

3)    That the option for a joint scrutiny commission for the Mental Health Services be considered.