Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities which set out the findings from the consultation on proposals relating to the future delivery of Community Life Choices (CLC) services (often referred to as day services), and sought approval to implement the recommendations detailed in the report.   A copy of the report, marked ‘item 7’, is filed with these notes.

Members noted that comments had been received from Mr Clive Hadfield, Chairman of the Family Carers subgroup of the Leicestershire Learning Disabilities Partnership Board, Clare Clarkson and Peter Warlow, Chief Executive of the Glebe House Project, copies of which are filed with these minutes.

The Director reported that the majority of responders to the consultation did not support the proposals and, as had been reflected in the comments received by the Cabinet, many were concerned that the changes would reduce the social interaction of those with learning disabilities living in residential care and that this would have a negative impact on their health and wellbeing.  It had also been suggested that the proposals could put added strain on carers. 

Members noted that to address these concerns, alongside the recommendations, mitigation actions had been identified.  The Director said that these balanced the need to provide a more equitable service with the need to ensure that eligible service users still had their care and support needs met appropriately.

Mr Houseman CC said that implementation of the recommendations would achieve the necessary MTFS savings and ensure that support was provided more consistently.  He said that those who supported the proposals felt it was wrong for the Council to fund people twice and emphasised that care homes did and would continue to provide leisure and social activities. 

Mr Houseman agreed that meeting individuals’ needs was a priority and confirmed that service users would be offered an individual review of their needs before changes to their CLC services were implemented, allowing for exceptions to be made which might affect the full level of savings achieved.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the outcome of the public consultation exercise, including the comments of the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted;

(b)       That the Director of Adults and Communities be authorised to:

(i)         Implement Proposals A and B for the future delivery of Community Life Choices as detailed in paragraphs 32-42 of the report;

(ii)        Take mitigating actions as detailed in paragraph 53 of the report in order to respond to the concerns raised during the consultation;

(iii)       Agree any individual exceptions to the implementation of Proposals A and B where an individual review of needs identifies a clear likelihood of there being a significant adverse impact on the safety or wellbeing of an individual.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The new delivery model will support an outcomes-based approach to commissioning; delivering a progressive model of support in line with the principles set out in the Adult Social Care Strategy 2016-20, and savings as set out in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2016/17–2019/20.

A recent review of current Community Life Choices (CLC) services highlighted that the current practice for individuals in residential care to access CLC does not represent a cost-effective or equitable approach to commissioning individual support as it is not applied consistently to all service user groups.  Significant concern was raised by most consultation respondents about potential negative impacts on the welfare of affected people currently living in residential care, and a range of measures to mitigate these impacts will ensure that eligible service users will still have their care and support needs met appropriately. The affected service users will all be offered an individual review of their needs before changes to their CLC services are considered.

The review identified the potential to reduce the number of weeks of CLC-commissioned services in order to deliver efficiency savings. Whilst a majority of consultation responses were not in favour of this many recognised that it would have a low impact on most service users. Where there is the likelihood of a negative impact on individual welfare exceptions will be considered for those who require alternative care during any CLC holiday closures.

Were these changes not made other measures would be needed to achieve the required MTFS savings. The consultation did not identify any alternative ways to make the required savings.

(Mrs. Posnett then returned to the meeting).