The Director of Adult Social Services presented his report which had been considered by the Cabinet on 2 September 2010 (minute 109 refers) in relation to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Report, following its Service Inspection of Adult Social Care undertaken in May 2010. The focus of the review had been on safeguarding adults, making a positive contribution for adults with a learning disability and increased choice and control for adults with a learning disability.

He commented that the CQC report had criticised the Council’s performance. The report had concluded that the Council was performing poorly in safeguarding adults and in supporting adults with a learning disability to have increased choice and control. The report had also concluded that the Council was performing adequately in supporting adults with a learning disability to make a positive contribution. Lastly, the CQC had concluded that the Council’s capacity to improve was uncertain.

The Director outlined the key findings from the report and indicated that it contained a number of recommendations for the Council to improve. Those recommendations had been incorporated into a robust improvement plan that had been approved by the Cabinet and submitted to the CQC. The Director had been instructed to present a further report to the 14 October 2010 Cabinet, to include the timetable required to deliver the improvements set out in the second, revised improvement plan.

Members expressed their concern with regard to the findings of the CQC report and sought assurance that measures were now in place to ensure that the significant risks identified were being addressed. The Director stated that in response to the previous ‘Red Flag’ related to safeguarding adults, there had been a fundamental review of how performance data was collected. Data quality was now as good as it had ever been and this had been acknowledged by the CQC. However, he acknowledged that the improvements made were recent and the CQC wanted to see that the changes had bedded in. In response to a question from a Member, the Director commented that the Department had worked closely with Internal Audit with regard to the key components of the improvement plan.

The Director indicated that the improved governance arrangements put in place would supplement the usual management arrangements and would ensure that progress was tightly monitored to ensure improvement in all areas within the timescales set out in the plan. He stated that there was a need to prioritise work within DASS to ensure compliance with the Improvement Plan. The Director also referred to engaging with partners to help support delivery of the Improvement Plan.

The Chair asked whether work was being undertaken to change things culturally within DASS. The Director confirmed that this was the case, particularly in relation to improving skills and competencies and ensuring that mechanisms were in place to provide support to managers and frontline staff working with vulnerable adults and adults with learning difficulties. The Director expressed his appreciation of the support DASS had received from Corporate HR in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24

A report by the Director of Adult Social Services provided the Cabinet with an introduction to the CQC Inspection findings from its review undertaken in May 2010.  The focus of the Inspection had been on safeguarding adults, making a positive contribution for adults with a learning disability and increased choice and control for adults with a learning disability.

The report had been embargoed to the public until after this meeting and from then would be available on the CQC’s website and in Easyread versions.

Sue Talbot, the Lead Inspector and her Manager, Dot Metcalf were in attendance at the meeting.  Ms Talbot made a presentation to the Cabinet setting out the main findings of the review, that had taken place over six days in May.  The CQC criticised the Council’s performance on safeguarding adults and increasing choice for adults with learning disabilities stating it was “poor”.  It was rated just “adequate” on making a positive contribution for adults with learning difficulties and the Council’s capacity to improve had been categorised as “uncertain”.

A number of recommendations had been made on the way in which the Council could improve its performance in the area of adult social care.  Ms Talbot told the Cabinet that its action plan to bring about the necessary improvement was very thorough, heartening and positive and showed that although the messages resulting from the Inspection had been tough, the Council was taking it very seriously.

Cabinet Members were disturbed and appalled at the findings of the CQC’s report that some of the most vulnerable people in Wirral were at risk and exposed to risk.  The report was crystal clear and Members agreed that protecting vulnerable people and keeping them safe was one of the most basic functions Wirral residents should expect from its Council and this would be made a priority and mean significant changes would be brought about.  They pledged to do whatever was needed to ensure the leadership, management and performance of the DASS was improved.

The Director of Adult Social Services apologised that this Service had not been acceptable.  He was given full Cabinet support, and a timetable to take whatever action was necessary to turn the unacceptable performance around.

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet

(1)  thanks the CQC for the tough but fair report and fully accepts the criticism of the service;

(2)  is clear that this is not a standard of service that is considered in any way acceptable and notes that work has already begun to urgently implement the recommendations of the report; and

(3)  believes that protecting vulnerable people and keeping them safe is one of the most basic functions Wirral residents expect from its Council and is resolved to do whatever it takes to ensure the leadership, management and performance of the DASS is improved and that a new culture of openness, challenge and tackling of poor performance is put in place; and

(4)  instructs the Director of Adult Social Services to bring forward a further report to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109