Agenda item

Context:

To approve the implementation of a transformational approach to the delivery of care at home. Following a creative, co-produced approach carried out under the banner of Turning the World Upside Down we have developed a model which represents a paradigm shift in the provision of care at home and are seeking the Adult Select Committee’s support to now work towards its implementation.

Key Issues:

Domiciliary care or care at home is the single largest area of care and support which Monmouthshire County Council offers. In 2016/17 the total gross spend across older adults social services was £20million; a significant proportion (33%) of this was spent on care at home for older people.

There is a growing acknowledgement across the sector that the traditional model of time allocated slots to provide personal care tasks is broken. We have evidence that the current system can lead to less person centred outcomes, difficulties in the recruitment of carers and providers struggling to continue to operate. In embarking upon our programme of Turning the World Upside Down, we acknowledged that we needed to fundamentally transform the current model of care at home.

Member Scrutiny:

Members gave the opinion that in its current state, the report lacked clarity and that they would not be able to recommend it to Cabinet in its current form.

 It was asked if the language in the report was a code for delivering cheaper services.

The partner sessions at Humble Farms were questioned and it was asked if due diligence was done so that MCC will lead the agenda, not the suppliers.

In regard to the area patches it was asked how data was used to identify the need in the county.

Concerns were raised regarding the use of outside contractors.

A Member asked for reassurance on the quality and continuity of care visits.

A Member felt that an amendment to the recommendation be as follows ‘the Adults Select Committee endorses the principle of the Turning the World Upside Down model and supports the pilot implementation with a further report back to the select committee.

It was asked that Members see more of the detail of how the scheme will work in practice as it was felt that due to the number of people involved in the equation; MCC, partners, end users, there needed to be greater certainty and clarity of the scheme in action.

It was asked why not all of the partners wished to take part in the pilot scheme.

The flexibility of visits was applauded although Members were curious to know if an accurate model was achievable due to the fluid nature of the care.

The Committee commented on the large amount of work Officers have put into the report and felt the officer’s presentation aided them greatly.

It was asked if Members could meet with Officers outside the select committee to share ideas.