Decision details

Options for Change - Towards a Strategy for Care Services

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Awaiting Implementation

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Decisions:

Further to minute 287 (10 December 2008), the Director of Adult Social Services referred to the review of in-house services provided by the Care Services Branch, which had been undertaken to ensure the progression of the transformation of Adult Social Services. He indicated that the need to change in-house services was linked to the increased choice and control which people who required support from Adult Social Services would have following the move towards self directed support and personal budgets. He presented the outcome and conclusions of the Design and Viability Project, which was established to provide a more detailed analysis of any service changes and a rationale supporting the outsourcing proposals and he sought the approval of the Cabinet to undertake consultation on the proposals and conclusions contained within the Consultation Paper. The Cabinet Member for Social Care and Inclusion commented upon the period of major change to be faced by the Department and the inevitable effect it would have on demand for services. She referred to the conclusions contained within the document and commented that the proposed extensive consultation would take place between 10 August and 30 October 2009.

 

On a motion by Councillor McLaughlin and seconded by Councillor Foulkes, it was –

 

Resolved –

 

(1)  That a full and comprehensive consultation process on the conclusions and options contained within the Options for Change document be undertaken, in accordance with the rationale set out in the report now submitted.

 

(2)  That in order to ensure that everyone has a full understanding of the issues involved, Cabinet asks that a seminar for elected members be arranged to promote an understanding of self directed support, personal budgets and their impact on future demand for support services.

 

Cabinet Recognises, in addition, that the government grant to cover the costs of the transition to personal budgets is due to cease in 2011 and that it is important to have made as much progress as possible while the grant is still available.

 

Cabinet therefore asks the Director of Adult Social Services to provide the Cabinet with a report on the progress being made towards the use of personal budgets, including any lessons learnt from initial pilot schemes, the numbers already on personal budgets, the number of individuals still to be moved onto personal budgets and the anticipated timescale for full implementation, with any transitional arrangements either in place, or needing to be put in place.

Publication date: 29/07/2009

Date of decision: 23/07/2009

Decided at meeting: 23/07/2009 - Cabinet

Effective from: 06/08/2009

Accompanying Documents: