Agenda item

Members were provided with an update on the Council’s Adult’s Health and Wellbeing Transformation Programme and the Doncaster Place Plan (the latter which had been in place since late 2016).

In terms of the sustainability of Community Led Support, it was recognised that the voluntary sector tended to undertake more short term contracts which presented certain challenges.  Members were informed that the Council was looking to create a strength-based support practice model for a whole family approach.  It was outlined that suitable commissioning and structuring capacity was needed in the market to take this forward.

It was seen how it was a challenge to pull together the skills of the voluntary sector in order to undertake services such as day opportunities.  It was viewed that where possible existing community facilities should be utilised as much as possible.  It was recognised that further investment was needed, however, people were surprised at what was actually available out there and further promotion was required.

Members were informed that contact had been made with local groups to engage with them.  It was explained that efforts had been made to build and enhance upon what was already out there.  It was fed back that the concerns and issues raised by local groups were not necessarily always about funding.

Concern was raised around those people with complex needs and those who did not want to engage.  It was acknowledged that different needs were faced by different wards in the Borough and a culture existed of those had certain expectations from the health service.  It was felt that there needed to be an openness of mind to change and ensure a better balance.

A Member commented that in their own ward, residents were capable were quite self-sufficient and looked after each other.  It was noted that there were strong positive links, church connections and local committees that undertook this role there.  It was stated that the benefits of connected neighbourhoods and communities provided role was supported in particular around combating isolation.  It was felt that there needed to be more joined up services and better collaboration.  It was recognised that there were a number of interfaces and transactions around the individual, and that the Place Plan presented the architecture of how it would be achieved.  Members were reminded about some of the initiatives being undertaken out in communities such as ‘Well North’ in Denaby which were growing self-organising capacity and could be extended to prototypes elsewhere in the Borough.

In terms of adhering with data protection (GDPR), it was explained that there was a tiered set of information of protocols and agreements in place as there was a duty of care of delivering that service.  It was recognised that challenges existed when commissioning new capacity and sharing information with clients.  It was clarified that new providers were expected to evidence appropriate levels of security for handling  personal information and the Council would not commission any organisation that was not able to demonstrate that.  It was further added that all staff had undertaken mandatory training. 

Members were informed about an acquisition of a new Case Management System, which all providers will have to be compliant with and will transfer encrypted information across agencies.  Members were also reminded that the Council employ dedicated Information Governance Officers.  It was added that there are quartley SIRO Board meetings where senior officers come together to ensure that all Information Governance Procedures are being followed across the Council. The Council also have a Caldicott Guardian who has the responsibility for ensuring that confidential information about people complies with data protection legislation and is shared appropriately outside of the authority

Members were provided with assurances that best interest assessments were completed when looking to meet the transfer to supported living needs.  It was noted that it was about finding the right solution for those individuals.

RESOLVED that the Panel note the report