Agenda item

Report of Dale Owens, Strategic Director, Integrated Adults and Social Care.

Steph Downey, Service Director, Integrated Adults and Social Care provided the OSC with an update on the preparation being undertaken for the new Adult Social Care (ASC) CQC Assurance Framework which is due to be implemented from April 2023.

The OSC noted that the Health and Social Care Bill gives CQC the power to assure/inspect Local Authorities in respect of their Adult Social Care duties, and the newly formed Integrated Care Systems.

It was noted that Gateshead Adult Social Care ( ASC) was last inspected by CQC in 2010 and the Assurance framework being developed for implementation in April 2023 has the following 4 key themes

·       Working with people - assessing needs (including unpaid carers), supporting people to live healthier lives, prevention, well-being, information and advice

·       Providing support - markets (including commissioning), workforce equality, integration and partnership working

·       Ensuring safety - safeguarding, safe systems and continuity of care

·       Leadership and workforce - capable and compassionate leaders, learning, improvement, innovation

Each of the themes has several quality statements and ‘I’ statements within it which demonstrate expectations around the level/ quality of care. The draft framework is expected to be signed off soon and CQC is recruiting into roles to facilitate new duties and is procuring the web portal that will enable LA’s to submit their evidence.

All 12 NE local authorities are completing a draft self – assessment and Gateshead’s self -assessment was submitted a couple of weeks ago. Mini reviews are planned with an ex - Director of Adult Social Services and Gateshead’s will take place tomorrow.

Regional working groups providing support network for LA’s on inspection preparation

Steph explained that Gateshead has implemented the ADASS top tips for preparation for CQC assurance as per the report circulated to OSC which outlined the activity which had taken place so far aligned to the recommended areas. Policies and procedures are were also being updated.

In terms of next steps the Council would obtain feedback from the self- assessment and mini review and would then update the self - assessment and maintain and update it on a quarterly basis. Improvement workstreams would be ongoing and there would be regular briefings to leaders, members and the workforce.

The OSC queried what the position was in relation to the “I” statements for those who might have cognitive impairments. Steph advised that CQC would adapt the approach dependent on individual’s cognitive needs and will also be looking at whether local authorities are providing information in easy read formats and whether information might be accessible to carers

The Vice Chair noted that at a recent OSC Steph had reported on the capacity pressures across the social care system and asked how CQC would apply their assurance as nationally most local authorities have significant waiting lists for assessments and packages of care.

Steph advised the OSC that CQC have to assess against the framework and can’t take account of the workforce crisis but will look at how local authorities are managing risks and will ask the Council about how its is risk rating those who are waiting for assessments so that CQC can be confident the local authority is managing those risks. However, there is a concern amongst local authorities that the impact of workforce challenges will have a negative impact on their CQC assessment.

The OSC noted that part of the new framework includes assessing needs including those of unpaid carers but that this relies on carers coming forward voluntarily for such assessments as there is no requirement for them to do so. In addition, many carers either aren’t aware that they are entitled to such assessments or do not see the benefits of having them. The OSC therefore queried how CQC would assess the Council on this area given these factors.

Steph advised that CQC would look at how the Council is advertising carers assessments to ensure that they understood the benefits. Steph stated that while the duty is on the Council to carry out carers assessments Gateshead has devolved such assessments to Gateshead Carers Association and this has helped increase the uptake of stand alone carers assessments. Steph stated that Gateshead Carers try and encourage carers, particularly where they have significant stress to have assessments. Gateshead Carers Association acts as a one stop shop understanding carers needs and the support that can be offered.

The Chair asked what areas of good practice and further development have been identified in terms of the self-assessment that the Council has completed.

Steph stated that an area of good practice would relate to workforce and the social work apprenticeships being taken forward. A webinar is taking place on these apprenticeships and there has been much interest across the region. The Council is also speaking to the Dept of Health and Social Care about its trainee Social Worker Model which is open to people in lower grade roles. Recently Gateshead advertised 6 trainee posts and had 89 applicants which is really positive.

The OSC was advised that an area for improvement was the process of updating IT from CareFirst to Mosaic. Performance data also needs to improve and the Council is also an outlier in terms of spend on residential care compared to our neighbouring local authorities and statistical local neighbours.

RESOLVED            That the OSC is satisfied with the progress to date and next steps outlined