Agenda item

The Director for Adult Social Care and Commissioning presents a report providing an overview of the commissioned service for Dementia Support.  The current service is subject to a commissioning review with input from Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and the Integrated Care Board.

The Head of Strategic Commissioning for Social Care and Education gave the commission an overview of the commissioned service for Dementia Support.  

Key points to note were as follows: 

• The reports set out the process of formal engagement which would be published on the Citizen Space consultation website.  

• The purpose of the engagement was to understand the support and services required for those affected by Dementia. The aim being to gain an understanding from a broad mix of people. 

• The Dementia Support Service is currently jointly commissioned, up until March 2026, with Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and the ICB. An extension could give more time for a full review and proposals.  

• The formal engagement work was being carried out by Leicester City Council, and it was hoped that there could be co-production with those living with Dementia. 

The Chair thanked the officer for the overview and welcomed questions and comments from the commission. Key points to note were as follows: 

• There was an emphasis on early support of carers, this was delivered through the Dementia Support Service provider Age UK. 

• Benchmarking with other local authorities had taken place to maintain the best model for Leicester. Commission members noted that Leeds City Council demonstrated success in gaining the voices of the people and it was agreed that this would be a good comparative source.  

• Leicester had a strong record of co-production, and the wider engagement meant that more lived experience could be taken into account from across the differing communities.  

• The model ensured that contract figures could be reviewed separately, meaning Dementia and Carer contract numbers would not be accounted for twice.   

• The contract totalled £464k annually, Leicester City Council contributing £116k. Figures could be shared with the commission showing the number of carers with specific needs, such as those caring for people with Dementia, carers with SEND or younger carers. 

• Communications were being improved to help people to navigate and access support online. The commission suggested exploring how existing organisations, such as the over 50’s support group The Silver Foxes, could signpost carers with Dementia to the service.   

• There was a continued challenge in supporting carers with Dementia. Focus groups and communication assisted in this area so that reasonable adjustments could be made.  

• Results of the engagement would be publicly available on Citizen Space and would be shared with the commission.  

• The work was underpinned by the Equality Impact Assessment, and this could be shared with the scrutiny commission. 

• Best Interest assessments could capture valuable information and learnings on lived experience could come back to the scrutiny commission. 

• It was noted that those defined as ‘Carers’ did not always elect to use this title, and this could make engagement problematic.  

• The commission suggested a broader scope to include other support groups where people might go on to develop Dementia, such as Parkinson’s support groups.   

• The commission raised the issue of efficacy of services and questioned if those requiring Dementia support might present as carers and not be counted towards figures for Dementia carer’s assistance.  

RECOMMENDATIONS: 

• Dementia Support Engagement - To explore the community work in Manchester which captures the voices of local people. 

• Dementia Support Engagement - Further consideration to take place on engaging with existing groups such as the Silver Foxes & Parkinson’s support groups. 

• To consider similar strategies as Leeds and Manchester to gain the voice of the people. 

 
AGREED:   

·       To provide figures on numbers of people being supported with Dementia and the numbers of carers with their own support needs. 

·       Results of the engagement would be shared with the commission. 

·       To share information on the Equality Impact Assessment with the scrutiny commission. 

·       To bring case studies on lived experience.