Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director of Commissioning, Performance and Transformation

The Assistant Director, Commissioning, Performance & Transformation, introduced a report (previously circulated) regarding the mapping of provisions within the Borough which also made reference to commissioned services from external bodies. Emphasis was placed upon setting the standards for commissioned services in the context of the previously discussed CQC framework.

The Assistant Director, Commissioning, Performance & Transformation, made reference to the Livingwell Directory and Information on Commissioned Services, which internal members of staff within the council have access to and are encouraged to actively engage with.

The submitted report made reference to the Strategic Framework of Adult Social Care, specifically discussing The Accommodation with Care and Support Strategy 2024-2027, which has guided the provision of services in Darlington.

The aim of such strategy is to emphasise innovative housing solution, assistive technology, and the use of local provisions. The desired outcome of this being the reducing of reliance upon traditional residential care homes, increasing independence, and minimising the need for out-of-borough placements by meeting needs locally.

The Assistant Director, Commissioning, Performance & Transformation, went on to outline the key services and models offered by the service area. The report named the Supported Living service which accounted for: Houses of Multiple Occupation, Houses with Support, and Adult Social Care Services. The report demonstrated that Supported Living made provisions for individuals to lead fulfilling lives ranging from those who share accommodation with on site-support staff, those who share communal facilities, to those living independently.

The report also made reference to Specialist Services like the North East Centre for Autism who provide tailored support for individuals with autism and neurodiversity, in addition to outlining the Target Groups listed in the strategy.

The Assistant Director, Commissioning, Performance & Transformation, went on to address the challenges and future directions of the service, notably surrounding financial and demographical pressures. The report addressed potential innovative solutions such as reducing residential care usage and encouraging provider collaboration.

The report looked into the procedure of accessing adult care and support services in Darlington, outlining the various several steps in doing so, the institutions in Darlington who offer the service, and other preventative services such as Health and Wellbeing Programs, Social Prescribing and Assistive Technology.

Members posed questions regarding the assistive technology provided by the service area, and discussion ensued regarding the younger demographic being more likely to engage with this service and therefore emphasis is being placed upon building confidence in utilising the technology available.

Members welcomed discussion regarding the need to integrate the use of technology whilst also maintaining the “human touch” aspect of Adult Social Care, and as a result productive discussion ensued surrounding encouraging/training young people to join the service, specifically citing the Academy and Darlington Extra as avenues which garner interest for individuals to join the service area.

The Chair brought a close to the discussion by calling for introspective investigation into what is and is not provided already by the service area and how such can be improved. The Assistant Director, Adults, responded with reference to the commissioning of external services to cater for those provisions which are not already provided.

RESOLVED - That the contents of the report be noted.