Agenda item

(a)   Approval of Scrutiny Initiation Document: Adult Social Care Accommodation

Jodi Pilling, Director of Strategic Commissioning and Investment, and Nikki Ralph, Assistant Director – Strategic Commissioning, introduced the scrutiny initiation document. Councillor Williamson, the Executive Member for Health and Social Care, also commented on the document and welcomed the scrutiny review, noting the importance of care services providing the right support, at the right time, in the right way.

The Committee approved the SID, with the caveat that the list of witnesses could develop over time. In particular, the committee was keen to hear from residents, and also community organisations working with those receiving care services. It was also suggested that receiving evidence from the council’s workforce could provide an interesting perspective.

It was commented that evidence from an expert in digital inclusion and innovation in care may be helpful.

Officers also commented that the order of evidence received may need to be revised depending on the availability of witnesses.

RESOLVED:

       i.          That the Scrutiny Initiation Document be approved;

      ii.          It be noted that the list of witnesses was not exhaustive and further witnesses may be identified through the review.

(b)   Scrutiny Review: Introductory Presentation

Jodi Pilling, Director of Strategic Commissioning and Investment, and Nikki Ralph, Assistant Director – Strategic Commissioning, presented to the committee. The presentation set out the principles and challenges of the council’s approach to adult social care accommodation. The following main points were noted in the discussion:

·             Islington’s approach to adult social care accommodation had developed over time. The service always sought to engage with residents and co-production was crucial to ensuring that accommodation met the needs of service users.

·             The service faced several challenges; while national challenges around funding for social care were significant, it was also recognised that Islington was a small and densely populated inner London borough with limited options for developing new care accommodation. Islington would have to take an innovative approach to ensure it had sufficient accommodation for service users in future.

·             Demand for care services had increased over the past decade, and would continue to increase as life expectancy increased and the demography of the borough changed.

·             It was also noted that Islington had the highest prevalence of severe mental illness in London. This presented challenges in terms of providing appropriate care support and accommodation.  

·             The Committee noted the range of accommodation types available. The service sought to support people’s independence as far as possible, and also provided accommodation to those with very specific and complex support needs.

·             The Committee commented on the importance of early intervention to support independence. Following a question on support for those with mental health issues, officers summarised the local services available and joint working with Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust and the North Central London Integrated Care Board.

·             A member asked if there was a specific part of the accommodation strategy that would benefit the most from member scrutiny. In response, it was commented that the ambitions around innovation would be useful to review, to better understand what could realistically be achieved. Due to the limited options for developing new care accommodation in the borough, the council needed to consider a range of innovative approaches to supporting those with care needs.

·             It was commented that there was a range of new assistive technologies available to help those receiving care.

·             The Committee considered the impact of loneliness and social isolation on wellbeing, and the need to ensure that those receiving care were able to remain part of a community. Social connectedness was a determinant of wider health.

The Committee thanked officers for their attendance.