Issue - meetings

Report of the Corporate Director, Community Services is circulated

Silu Pascoe, the Lead Inspector, will present the report.

Cllr John Thomson presented a report which informed Cabinet of the results of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection of Adult Social Care in 2009, details of which were presented.

The Leader welcomed Silu Pascoe, Lead Inspector to the meeting who explained the focus of the inspection, the inspection process, findings, judgements and the follow-up process.

The focus of the inspection was on safeguarding across all adult services and increased choice and control in respect of services and outcomes for older people with mental health needs. The inspection process was detailed and related to national standards developed by the CQC. The inspection concluded that Wiltshire was performing adequately in safeguarding adults, performing adequately in supporting older people with mental health needs to have increased choice and control and that the capacity to improve in Wiltshire was promising.

The report contained 17 recommendations, all of which had been accepted and incorporated into an improvement plan as presented. The CQC would follow-up progress on the Council’s implementation of its improvement plan and an update report would be prepared in six months time. It was noted that the Inspection report had been the subject of a one-off scrutiny exercise which Cllr Thomson considered had been very positive.

Cllr Thomson explained that a significant amount of funding for primary care trusts although earmarked to support carers was not ring fenced for this purpose and there was little evidence it was actually being used in this way. Consequently initiatives to support carers were often left to Councils. The Leader commented that the message back to central government on this was that the Council understood the frustration felt by carers and those they supported when they hear that funds have been earmarked to support them, but not passed onto them through the PCT.

Silu Pasco answered Councillors’ questions and the Leader thanked her for her presentation.

Resolved:

That the report be received from the Lead Inspector and the improvement plan which is currently being implemented be noted.

Reason for Decision

The Council welcomes the inspection as an independent evaluation of performance of two areas of adult social care services. The council is required to present the findings of the Inspection of Adult Social Care and its improvement plan at a public meeting.