Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director, Adult Services

The Assistant Director, Adult Services, submitted a report (previously circulated) to provide Members with performance data against Key Performance Indicators for 2023-24.

The submitted report outlined performance information in line with an indicator set and Scrutiny Committee distribution agreed by the Monitoring and Coordination Group on 4 June 2018, and subsequently agreed by Scrutiny Committee Chairs. It was stated that the indicators were aligned with key priorities. Twelve indicators were reported to this Committee, ten on a six monthly basis and two annually.

It was reported that, of the eight of the twelve indicators that were reported at the end of Quarter 4 of 2023/24, one of the indicators showed performance consistent to the same period last year (ASC 019); three of the indicators demonstrated that performance had declined in comparison to the same period last year (ASC 002, ASC 003, and ASC 049) and that these continued to be monitored and managed; one indicator remained the same as this time last year (ASC 050); and that three indicators were not comparable as they were reviewed at a point in time (ASC 208, ASC 209 and ASC 211).

It was reported that the two indicators recorded annually (ASC054 - The proportion of people who use Adult Care services who find it easy to find information about services – and ASC055 - The proportion of people who are carers who find it easy to find information about services) were not included within the report as the results would be released towards the end of 2024, and that these would be included in the Mid-Year Scrutiny Report.

It was noted that due to recent ASCOF/CLD (Client Level Data) changes there were two indicators that were no longer reported on (ASC 045 – Proportion of adults with a learning disability who live in their own home or with their family - and ASC 046 – Proportion of Adults with learning disabilities in paid employment).

Members entered into discussion on whether there was sufficient signposting to information and support available for those on direct payments who wished to contract in their own services, particularly in the case of elderly carers.

Discussion ensued on the number of younger adults placed in care homes, whether there was more younger adults from out of the Darlington area accessing our care home, the appropriateness of mixing younger adults with complex needs with elderly residents, and whether there was a need for more specific appropriate homes for younger adults requiring care.

Concerns were raised around the non-reporting on ASC 046, and Members were informed that this had been a decision at a national level. Comparisons were drawn with regional figures, and a discussion took place on some of the potential reasons for and the anecdotal evidence around the regional differences.   

Clarification was sought in terms of the Direct Payment Policy, which was provided to staff as a practice guidance document, and the potential requirement for a future review of the Performance Indicators provided to the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED – That the performance information provided within the submitted report be noted.