Agenda item

The Director of Care Services and Commissioning will give an update on progress with:-

a)     The relocation of residents currently in Council Elderly Persons’ Homes to be closed in Phase I (Appendix B1); and

b)     The creation of a new Intermediate Care Facility (Appendix B2).

a)     Relocation of Residents

The Director for Care Services and Commissioning (Adult Social Care) presented an update on progress with the relocation of residents currently in Council elderly persons’ homes that were scheduled for closure.  It was noted that, since the decision to relocate the residents had been taken, one resident had died.  All other residents were now on Stage 3 of the process, which was the stage at which social workers made their assessments of residents.

In reply to questions from Members, the Director for Care Services and Commissioning (Adult Social Care) advised the Commission that at stage 2 residents were invited to identify what was important to them in their new homes.  This could include things such as friendship groups or preferred areas.  After an assessment had been made, discussions were started on what accommodation was available for individual residents based on their stated interests and preferences. 

In preparing moving plans, some residents wanted to represent themselves, but if they had relatives, efforts were made to get the relatives involved as well.  The course of action to be taken when residents had no-one to represent them would depend on whether the individuals had capacity to make a decision about moving, as stated in the Mental Capacity Act. 

People without capacity or anyone to represent them had to be referred to the Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Service, as required under the legislation.  People without capacity could however be represented by relatives or friends acting in their best interests.  In addition, there were occasions when people who had capacity wanted some extra support.  In these cases, the Council could refer people to mainstream and culturally appropriate advocacy services.

The Head of Care Services (Care Provision Residential) explained that steps had been taken to sensitively prepare and plan.  For example, the process had paused to enable residents to enjoy Christmas.  Overall, people were engaging well, which was reflected in the fact that the residents were now at Stage 3 of the process.

It was noted that some residents previously had indicated a wish to move early.  The Head of Care Services (Care Provision Residential) reported that, now the process was underway, residents no longer appeared to be concerned about doing this.  At present, there was no indication that any residents were reluctant or hesitant about moving, but it was recognised that situations could change and the Council would respond to such changes as they arose.

The Adult Social Care Business Transition Manager confirmed that officers met with service providers fortnightly.  No general negativity about the moving process had been observed during these meetings.  Dedicated teams were based in the homes, so residents and staff knew them, which helped provide reassurance.

In response to further questions, the Adult Social Care Business Transition Manager confirmed that suggestions for suitable accommodation for people to move to were based on needs assessments.  The Council’s over-riding duty of care meant that these needs had to be met, but efforts also were made to meet the preferences stated by residents.

If a resident was unable to visit new homes to make their choice, officers could visit, feed back the results and discuss with the resident concerned how they would like to progress, (for example, social workers or relatives could also visit the home).  The Council met the cost of visits to view new homes and no limit was put on the number of visits that could be made, as it was important that residents felt confident about moving.  The presenting of possible choices to inform the moving plan was done at Stage 4 of the process.

When residents moved, they would keep the same social worker for up to 6 months after the move, to make sure they were settling in to their new accommodation well.  Residents were given the assurance that, if the new accommodation turned out to be unsuitable, consideration could be given to moving the resident again.

Members asked if consideration could be given to merging Stages 4 to 6 of the process.  The Adult Social Care Business Transition Manager explained that this would not be feasible, as this was a detailed process that needed to be worked through incrementally.  Having separate steps helped people gradually get used to the idea of moving and residents had been assured that officers would work at a measured pace.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the update on progress with the relocation of residents currently in Council elderly persons’ homes that were scheduled for closure be received and noted; and

2)    That the Director for Care Services and Commissioning (Adult Social Care) be asked to include a breakdown of the components of Stage 4 when the next update on the relocation of residents currently in the Council elderly persons’ homes referred to under 1 above is presented to the Commission.

b)     Creation of Intermediate Care Facility

RESOLVED:

1)     That an options paper on the creation of an Intermediate Care Facility be brought to this Commission when prepared; and

2)     That an appropriate officer from Property Services be asked to attend the meeting of the Commission at which the options paper referred to above is considered to provide advice.

c)    Establishment of Elderly Persons’ Commission

In response to a question, Councillor Rita Patel, Assistant Mayor (Adult Social Care), confirmed that it was hoped that a framework for a new Elderly Persons’ Commission could be considered by the Executive shortly.  The framework would be reported to the Commission as soon as possible.