Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Strategic Director (Children, Families and Adults).

Lorraine Butcher attended to present a report on the recent OFSTED Inspection of Safeguarding and Looked after Children Services. She explained that whilst most of this report had been considered by the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee there were a number of overlapping issues which had relevance to the remit of the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee.

In particular, Lorraine Butcher drew attention to the following area for improvement which had been outlined in the report:

“Ensure that staff in adult mental health and the Independent Living service are fully equipped and knowledgeable to identify children’s safeguarding issues in their day-to-day contact with people who use services and these issues are routinely addressed in supervision and performance management arrangements”

In addition, Lucia Scally, Head of Strategic Commissioning and Safeguarding, outlined a number of additional areas for improvement arising from the report that related to adult social care. These were as follows:

·         Improving the transition between children’s and adult’s social services.

·         Evidencing that Cheshire East was sensitive to culture and diversity issues.

Having said this, Lucia Scally also outlined a number of areas in which OFSTED had recognised that improvements had already been made. These were as follows:

·         Improved generic out-of-hours service and continuity with day services

·         The positive working relationships that had developed with the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).

·         That the integrated commissioning pilot had driven increased integration, co-location and value for money solutions for meeting local needs.

Members drew attention to the recent Southall Judgement and it was queried how this might possibly effect the authority. Lucia Scally confirmed that it would have an impact on service delivery and that this would be addressed in the future.

It was queried what percentage of households with Adult Mental Health issues had children present. Lucia Scally confirmed that a check on this information would be made and if available, circulated to the Committee.

In relation to the action plan provided as an appendix to the report, it was commented that whilst this useful, it could be improved by having more time related, measurable outcomes.

RESOLVED –

a)    That the report be noted.

b)    That a check on information relating to the number of households with Adult Mental Health issues with children present be made and if available, be circulated to the Committee for information.

c)    That in six months, the Strategic Director bring back the following to the Committee:

a.    Progress made against areas for improvement relevant to the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee with measurable and time related outcomes.

b.    Information on the further steps that were taken to demonstrate Cheshire East’s ambition to become at least good if not outstanding in the forthcoming years.

d)    That it be noted that a consultation on the inspection framework was being undertaken by OFSTED.