The Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday 6 March 2024 to discuss the Corporate Performance Framework, jobs brokerage for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism, and the Home First Programme. The committee also reviewed the action tracker and forward plan.

Corporate Performance Framework

The committee reviewed the new Corporate Performance Framework, which aims to improve how the council measures its performance and leverages data to enhance resident outcomes. Councillor Richard Sweden, Chair of the committee, noted that few indicators in the framework specifically related to adult social care and questioned their adequacy. Darren McAughtrie, Corporate Director of Adult Care and Quality Standards, explained that while a vast amount of data is collected, the chosen indicators were selected for their accessibility and insightfulness for the committee. Concerns were raised that some indicators were too high-level, lacking context for meaningful interpretation. Mr. McAughtrie assured the committee that a reporting tool would provide access to comparative data and allow for deeper analysis, with targets to be indicated on the dashboard from June 2024. The committee also expressed a desire for comparative information and narrative commentary alongside the indicators. The Portfolio Lead Member for Adults, Councillor Louise Mitchell, assured the committee that the Power BI dashboard would enhance the understanding of KPIs and their direction of travel. A representative from the VCSE Leadership Group, Terry Day, suggested the creation of an Ageing Well or Active Ageing forum to ensure more coordinated input from the voluntary sector, a suggestion the Portfolio Lead Member indicated might be incorporated into new initiatives.

Jobs Brokerage

The committee discussed the progress made in employment levels for adult social care service users, noting that while Waltham Forest had seen positive trends post-pandemic, this was not mirrored nationally. Committee members highlighted the importance of the work detailed in the report, particularly for individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism. Concerns were raised about the lack of specific national or local data on the employment rates of adults with learning disabilities, although it was acknowledged that these rates are generally low. The Assistant Director of Integrated Commissioning, Anna Saunders, explained that while exact figures were not captured, efforts were being made to address this through various programmes. The committee expressed interest in the Supported Employment and Supported Internship programmes, with Rebecca Davey, Assistant Director of Employment and Business Skills, reporting that the internship programme had seen five participants to date, and the pilot Supported Employment Programme had 47 residents participating, with four having found employment. The committee was pleased to hear that the Supported Employment Programme would continue with alternative funding. Recommendations were made for the Metropolitan Police to provide training to officers on recognising individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism, and for the Council to explore opportunities with private and charity enterprises to promote employment for this cohort.

Home First Programme Update

The committee received an update on the Home First Programme, which is part of the integrated care strategy. The programme comprises timely discharge processes, intermediate care, admission avoidance, and the virtual ward. The committee heard that the programme was achieving good performance in transitioning patients home and in the care they received thereafter, with over 70% of surveyed individuals reporting satisfaction. The rapid response service had been enhanced and was exceeding national targets. Despite challenges such as workforce retention and recruitment, and the complexity of cases, the discharge model employed by the integrated discharge hub was considered a best practice example. The committee discussed the need for more reablement staff to conduct daily home visits and the potential benefits of upskilling existing carers. The Assistant Director of Unplanned Care and Intermediate Care, Zaynah Dinah, highlighted NELFT's recruitment campaigns and the Council's efforts to attract social care workers.

Action Tracker and Forward Plan

Rosie Whillock, Scrutiny Policy Assistant, provided an update on the action tracker and forward plan. The committee noted that the agenda item on Digital Inclusion and Accessibility had been postponed, with the Chair and Vice-Chair to meet with the Deputy Chief Executive to discuss a revised timeline for this work. The committee resolved to note the report.

During the public participation session, Terry Day, Befriending Manager at Age UK Waltham Forest, and Christine Finn raised concerns about the removal of paper parking permits, arguing that it would negatively impact older and vulnerable residents who rely on home visits and may struggle with online systems. They urged the Council to retain paper visitor parking permits for those who need them.