Presentation from the Head of Adults and Service Manager (Safeguarding and ACT)
Minutes:
The Head of Service – Adults provided an update on the services which have come out of the Executive Strategy process (ESP) during 2023-24 (which included a large nursing and residential home, a residential care home for individuals with learning disabilities, and a contacted in-reach service supporting an individual living with a learning disability), the services currently within Executive Strategy, and an ESP case study.
Members were informed of a Risk Notification Pilot undertaken to reduce the quantity of inappropriate safeguarding concerns being received by Adult Social Care which did not meet the threshold of safeguarding. It was reported that the pilot initially included four care homes, however Members were advised that this had been increased by one further care home and one domiciliary care agency. The Head of Service – Adults stated that Risk Notifications could be submitted for witnessed and unwitnessed falls, medication errors, peer on peer verbal or physical altercations, and, in the case of the domiciliary care agency, missed or late calls.
Members were advised of the Risk Notifications received during the pilot period, alongside a breakdown of the Risk Notifications per provider, the outcomes of the pilot, and identified next steps.
Members entered into discussion on the Risk Notification Pilot, noting that one provider appeared to have a large number of falls, though it was noted that many of the falls were attributed to one individual, and it was acknowledged that some conditions had a greater propensity for falls and that it was not possible to remove all barriers. It was suggested that the Risk Notification process would need to be introduced across the sector in a staged manner, and it was hoped that the process would provide confidence to report and be a mechanism for improvement, rather than reprimand. Members enquired whether the local authority could assist in bridging any gaps in training with agency staff.
Discussion ensued on whether poor personal hygiene care could generate a Risk Notification. Members received reassurances that all care homes were monitored, not just those selected for the Risk Notification Pilot, and that any concerns would be addressed by the Contracting Team or the Safeguarding Adults Team.
Members sought greater clarification of the guidance in terms of the definition of ‘No Harm’ in a safeguarding context, and were keen to understand whether there was a framework of acceptable providers and the level of control the Council had in terms of ensuring the quality of safeguarding with our providers.
Discussion returned to the volume of witnessed and unwitnessed falls, and it was noted that it was important to recognise any patterns in relation to multiple falls and the actions attempted to address these. A subsequent discussion took place on the reasons for redacting the identity of the providers.
RESOLVED – That the content of the presentation be noted.