Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director-Performance, Transformation and Commissioning.

The Head of Commissioning and Contracts introduced a report (previously circulated) which provided this Scrutiny Committee with an overview of current Out of Area (OOA) placements in residential, nursing or respite care. At the request of the Chair, this report also included reference to Day Opportunities and the reasons such placements have been made.

The Head of Commissioning and Contracts provided the Committee with the Association for Directors of Adult Social Services’ (ADASS) definition of “Out of Area”, and informed Members of the number of individuals placed outside the Darlington Borough. The Head of Commissioning and Contracts reminded Members that whilst such placements are OOA, 44% of these placements are within 0-20 miles of Darlington’s Boundary, reinforcing Adult Services’ ability to monitor individuals placed OOA.

The Head of Commissioning and Contracts went on to inform the Committee of the reasons for which the Council would secure placements OOA and provided an in-depth breakdown of what type of OOA establishments the Council utilises in both a short break and longer-term basis. The Head of Commissioning and Contracts also provided the Committee with further demographical context for those receiving care OOA.

The Head of Commissioning and Contracts asked the committee to note Key areas for Development in the context of OOA placements and therefore informed the Committee of such areas. Such areas included Day Opportunities, SEND Educational Providers, Skills for Life, health and Commissioning. It was also stated that Adult Social Services are to develop a local personalised learning college in Darlington for September 2026.

Members posed questions to The Head of Commissioning and Contracts regarding how Adult services ensure that Darlington residents placed OOA do not disrupt neighbouring local communities. Both The Head of Commissioning and Contracts and the Assistant Director, Adult Services, responded stating that the standard practice is to communicate with the Local Authorities that Darlington residents placed OOA are placed within, and receive continuous oversight over the care they receive.