Issue - meetings

That

1.  The report be noted and the Adult Social Care Digital Transformation Strategy 2024 to 2034 and Option 1 ‘invest to save’ proposal outlined in the Part 2 report be agreed.

2.  The use of brought-forward Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funding to support the delivery of the ‘invest to save’ proposal, as detailed in Part Two of this report be agreed in principle.

3.  Agree the use and drawdown of the Council’s brought-forward balance of £1,628k of improved Better Care Fund (iBCF) (carry forward approved by Executive on 22^nd May 2024) be agreed to support the delivery of the ‘invest to save’ proposal, as detailed in Part Two of this report.

Report ACH24-035

The Committee considered a report seeking Executive approval of the Adult Social Care Digital Strategy 2024-2024.

The Council had developed the Adult Social Care Strategy for the period 2024 to 2034 to take account of developments across the social care market, changing government policy and wider technological, demographic, and economic changes. It considered the key changes of increased service demand and rising costs pressures in relation to supporting vulnerable older residents, carers, and working age adults with a disability and/or long-term health condition. The report set out what the Council planned to do over the next 10-years through its Adult Social Care Transformation programme, to develop a more sustainable and efficient future operating model that offered a new way of working, providing service quality improvements and better outcomes for Bromley residents and our workforce, whilst delivering good quality and safe care and support. It was noted that ‘invest to save’ proposals were outlined in the accompanying Part 2 report.

The new Adult Social Care Digital Transformation Strategy 2024 to 2034 had been developed to achieve the Making Bromley Even Better ambitions. It was an ambitious programme that would significantly change the way Adult Services operated in the future, interacted with residents receiving care and support, and with partners across the local system.

In response to a question from the Chairman regarding AI technology, the Head of Service – Adult Services Transformation and Improvement advised that its use would be explored through a number of projects in order to support staff and improve processes. Later in the year they hoped to demonstrate some of different technology available.

In response to questions, the Head of Service – Adult Services Transformation and Improvement confirmed that the co-production would include engagement with both staff and Members, and they would look to set up a series of workshops. With regards to digital exclusion, they were working with Community Links Bromley. Early conversations were taking place in relation to digital inclusion to ensure that assisted support was in place, in line with national guidelines, and key locations identified across the borough for those that needed to access IT and Wi-Fi.

RESOLVED that the recommendations in the report be supported.