Agenda item

      Report of the Chief Executive

Cllr Jane Davies, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, SEND, Transition and Inclusion presented the report which provided detail about the future of the housing relating support (HRS) service.

Cllr Davies explained that the HRS is a discretionary rather than statutory service, which is delivered by Somerset Care and Cera Care and was designed to promote independence and prevent the breakdown of tenancies. The service model is now considered outdated against more effective models of independent living.

The Cabinet noted the background to the HRS and how it had developed over the years to its current form. In recommending a preferred option for the HRS service, the council has identified duplication of tasks with other services, and also considered the social care needs profiles of residents living across the 130 sheltered sites. Each resident is able to opt-in to the service, and currently only 40% of eligible tenants opt-in at a cost of £957,987 per year.

The report detailed the outcome of a consultation that took place during November – December 2020 for residents to comment on how they use the service and the support they might need in the future.

In response to questions raised by Cabinet members, Cllr Davies and officers (i) provided reassurance that residents would be able to access the same type of provision from existing resources elsewhere via registered social landlords and other community services; (ii) highlighted concerns about social isolation and the need for residents to be connected to local community groups; (iii) registered providers had a duty to help tenants to prevent tenancy breakdown and evictions for tenants in particular vulnerable tenants. 

In response to a question from Cllr Ian Thorn about his concerns that effective scrutiny of the proposals by the Health Select Committee was not being undertaken until after Cabinet had made their decision. Cllr Davies explained that the proposals provided for a further consultation with residents on the preferred position and the final decision to be delegated to the Director of Joint Commissioning in consultation with the Cabinet Member forAdult Social Care, SEND, Transition and Inclusion and the Corporate Director ofPeople, therefore allowing sufficient time for effective scrutiny of the transitional arrangements by the Health Select Committee on 6 July 2021. It was also noted that the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Health Select Committee had received a briefing on the proposals on 16 June 2021.

In response to a question from Cllr Chuck Berry about the need to consider TUPE regulations. Cllr Davies confirmed that the TUPE Regulations would be considered as part of the proposal.

Cllr Gordon King, Vice-Chair of Health Select Committee confirmed that he and Cllr Jonny Kidney had received a briefing where there was a full debate about the proposals.  Cllr King commented on the savings being generated by the proposals.  Cllr Davies confirmed that the proposals were not about making savings and funding will be used to ensure the right services are in place for people who need them.

Resolved:

Cabinet isasked:

1.    To note the Council’s preferred position of ending the contracted HRS  service provided by Cera Care and Somerset Care on 31 March 2022  in line with the indicative timeline in paragraph 74 and liaise withlandlords and providers to support residents through a transitionphase to:

i.     access alternate means of housing related support from otherexisting tenant supportservices

ii.    ensure that residentsreceive appropriateinformation, adviceand signposting as needed for any other identified support need tovoluntary and communityresources

iii.  ensure that those with, or who may have, statutory eligible careneeds, will have a care act assessment and appropriate supportput in place.

2.    That officers undertake a further consultation with residents on the  Council’spreferred positionin linewith theindicative timeline.

3.    That the final decision on the future means of supporting HRSresidents and any associated decisions is delegated to the DirectorJoint Commissioning in consultation with the Cabinet Member forAdult Social Care, SEND, Transition and Inclusion and the Corporate    Director ofPeople.

Reason for decision:

1.    The current service requires review as outlined in paragraph 13.

2.    HRS is a non-statutory service. The local authority does not have a duty to provide it. Residents can also access the same type of support from elsewhere within the community. There is duplication of elements of the HRS service with the tenant support service. The Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) are obligated to provide these elements.

3.    Every resident will be supported to transition to alternate means of support, and those with, or who may have, eligible care needs will be identified and assessed by adult social care.

4.    HRS services are not in line with a strength-based approach to care and support, and in its current format does not promote independence.