Agenda item

To receive a report detailing what the council is doing to become inspection ready.

RECEIVED the report of the Head of Safeguarding Adults.

•  Introduction by Doug Wilson, Head of Strategy and Service Development, Health, Housing and Adult Social Care.

•  The legislation changes and the new duty for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to assess how Local Authorities are meeting their adult social care duties were highlighted.

•  Much of the detail was awaited at this point, but officers anticipated what the new regulatory framework may look like and the primary principles had been used to plan a programme of work to prepare. Extra members of staff had also been recruited to increase senior capacity and work towards a longer term strategy.

In response the following comments and questions were received and responded to:

1.    In response to the Chair’s queries in respect of the CQC assessments, it was advised that officers’ experience was of fair mindedness from the CQC, and importance of evidence. The pressures on the NHS were a driver for integrated care systems; social care and local services were important as part of the solution.

2.    In response to Councillor Demirel’s queries, the key importance of partnerships was highlighted and working together for a common cause as had been successfully done during the Covid pandemic.

3.    In response to Councillor Hamilton’s query about funding, it was confirmed that over the last 10 years difficult decisions had to be made about spending, but it seemed that the corner was now being turned and that the importance of social care was now being better understood.

4.    In response to Councillor Hamilton’s further query about passage of the legislation through Parliament, it was advised that it was now well progressed and a lot more was known recently about the proposals.

5.    In response to Councillor Anolue’s queries regarding working together, the duty to be clear with the public was stressed, and partnership with Healthwatch. Intervention at an earlier stage was important, and not just responding to crises. There was openness to new ideas and a collaborative approach, giving people power to shape services and delivery. The CQC would be interested in people’s experiences in getting what they need and being supported.

6.    Councillor Neville commented on the Council’s good record in adult social care, and asked about Council care home provision. It was confirmed that Enfield had a significant care market in services and care homes. As opposed to pre-pandemic there were more empty beds, but the government had supported providers, and vacancy rates were improving. There was a need for short specialist care. Bonds with the NHS had been cemented over the last two years and discharge arrangements were working well. The pandemic had also made the Council’s relationship with providers much stronger.

7.    In response to Councillor Georgiou’s queries, it was confirmed that the Council had a good relationship with the CQC and that the key lines of enquiry would be developed with local authorities, though officers were aware of what good and best practice looked like, and Enfield was considered to be in a strong position.

8.    In response to Councillor Demirel’s queries in respect of demographic changes and needs, it was confirmed that the department has a well established process for understanding and planning for increases in demand for services. This has been particularly noticeable amongst our learning disability population but there has been a lot of volatility in demand for services within our older people population as well over the last two years. Planning focuses not only on what the future demands are likely to be but also on what types of early intervention support would be beneficial to help people at an earlier stage and prevent crisis.

9.    In response to the Chair, it was advised that the changes were making care workers feel empowered, and that inspectors were also passionate about making sure services were of a good quality for the people who used them.