Agenda item

Report ACH23-012

The Committee considered a report seeking Executive approval of the Adult Social Care Strategy 2023-2028.

The Council had developed a new Adult Social Care Strategy for the period 2023 to 2028 to take account of developments across the social care market, changing government policy and wider technological, demographic and economic changes. The strategy considered the key challenges of increased service demand and rising costs pressures in relation to supporting vulnerable older residents and working age adults with a disability and/or a long-term health condition.

The Assistant Director for Integrated Commissioning advised that a draft of the strategy had been provided to the Adult Care and Health PDS Committee in March 2023. Further consultation had taken place over the summer and the key changes made to the document had been summarised in the report.

In response to questions, the Assistant Director for Integrated Commissioning advised that as the strategy consolidated and continued the work undertaken over the last three years, huge differences would not be seen. There had been a shift towards community-based services supporting more people to remain living at home and greater joint working with partners. The document communicated the offer being made to residents.

A Member suggested that the second bullet point within Priority 5 should separate digital inclusion and assistive technology as they were defined differently.

The Assistant Director for Integrated Commissioning confirmed that reporting in relation to the new service offer would be done through the Adult Care and Health Portfolio Plan. It was noted that the team were constantly trying to identify new providers that were willing to provide more respite care. A Co-opted Member highlighted that there was a lack of information, advice and guidance available in relation to respite care. The Director of Adult Social Care advised that the team were working with the SCIE on improvements relating to how information was provided/communicated to those that wanted to help themselves. The Assistant Director for Integrated Commissioning said that part of the issue was that care homes were reluctant to provide respite care as they wanted longer term placements. A Member questioned how care homes were able to dictate which placements they accepted. The Assistant Director for Integrated Commissioning advised that most contracts were single contracts in relation to the person being placed in their care. There were some block contracts, but when a person was to be placed providers would also have to consider the needs of the others already in the care home. The Director of Adult Social Care said that Bromley had a complex market as just under 50% of care was paid for privately, and at a higher rate. This reduced the Local Authority’s negotiating power as the care homes did not rely on them for business.

A Member questioned whether a model for the Local Authority to provide its own care homes had been considered. The Director of Adult Social Care said that this had previously been looked into – however the responsibility, buildings and expertise had been passed over and it would not be economically viable to rebuild these elements in-house. When this was considered 2-3 years ago the cost of the Council providing the care itself was found to be significantly higher than the costs at which they were able to purchase care. The Assistant Director for Integrated Commissioning noted that there was also a focus on helping and supporting people at home.

In response to a question from a Co-opted Member, the Assistant Director for Integrated Commissioning advised that most of the provision was contracted and therefore a specification would be provided. A procurement exercise would be undertaken, and providers would submit their proposals and references. A lot of information was gathered to provide a high level of confidence. The Director for Adult Social Care noted that feedback was also provided through Healthwatch Bromley and the Quality Checkers who spoke with service users about how services were operating.

RESOLVED that the Executive be recommended to approve the proposed Adult Social Care Strategy 2023 to 2028.