Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director of People

The Cabinet Member with the Adults Portfolio introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Executive Director of People requesting approval to allocate financial resources for a transformation project for Working Age Adults (WAA) services in Adult Social Care (ASC), in partnership with IMPOWER, which aims at improving outcomes, reducing costs and embedding sustainable change.

The report explained that the ASC sector is facing unstainable financial pressures, particularly within the WAA cohort, which included individuals with learning disabilities, autism, neurodiversity, mental health conditions, physical issues and other complex needs. The group represents a growing proportion of the care system in Darlington.

It was clarified that IMPOWER will work collaboratively alongside the service and partners e.g Finance, performance, Transformation, Commissioning and Adult Social Care teams to deliver the project.

The report detailed the proposed transformation project with IMPOWER and that will be delivered in three phases; Diagnostic (Analysis of demand and cost drivers, benchmarking, and identification of priority groups), Test and Learn (Trial Interventions, co-production with stakeholders and evaluation), Scale-Up (Subject to gateway decision, development of a strategic business case and system-wide transformation).

It was stated that the total investment is £247,287 (excl. VAT), with a minimum expected ROI of 3:1. This will provide actionable savings in year one to at least cover the cost of the investment, with estimated savings in subsequent years of £0.750m per annum.

RESOLVED - It is recommended that: -

a)      Cabinet agrees the allocation of financial resources to enable the WAA transformation project to proceed.

b)      Delegated authority is granted to the Executive Director of People to oversee implementation and approve progression to Phase 3, subject to gateway review.

REASON - The recommendations are supported by the following reasons: -

a)      Rising demand and costs in WAA services, with ASC spend increasing to gross £48.6m in 2024/25.

b)      Increasing numbers of high-cost support packages and residential placements.

c)      Opportunity to invest in preventative and strengths-based best practice approaches to improve outcomes and reduce long-term costs.

d)      IMPOWER’s proven track record of supporting Local Authorities to deliver significant savings and improved outcomes