Agenda item

To pre-scrutinise proposals for the future delivery of the Council’s Day Services for older people in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications outlined the purpose of the report for Members to pre-scrutinise the detail provided in the report and to provide comments and observations to Cabinet prior to their consideration. The Director Social Services shared the purpose of the report is to make recommendations with regards to the future delivery of the Council’s day services for older people.

The Director Social Services outline the background of the report highlighting that at its meeting on 11th September 2019, Cabinet, following a period of formal consultation, agreed a new day service model for older people that would change the current emphasis away from building based services, where the person is required to fit in with the services available, towards a more personalised service that better responds to individual needs and outcomes. There is now a need to review day service provision for older people.

The Director Social Services provided Members with an overview of the current day services offer for older people as outlined within Appendix A and informed Members that while the Council’s Day centres remain popular among the people that use them and provide respite for carers, attendance at them has shown a decline over recent years.

The Director Social Services shared that taking into consideration the information outline in section 4 of Appendix A there is the belief that the service area needs to redesign its offer of day services for older people, ensuring it continues to meet assessed and changing need, in more cost effective and efficient ways, in line the overall requirements of the Council’s Day service model for older people.

The Director Social Services outlined for Members the two proposals as detailed in section 5 of Appendix A. Members were also informed that if agreed, staffing structures would need to be reviewed and any changes would need to be consulted upon with staff and union representatives prior to any change in service. The Director also outlined for Members the process that would be undertaken with current day service users to support them with any changes.

Members were informed that redesigning the Councils Day services offer will ensure that provision is delivered in a way that promotes individual wellbeing and independence while supporting a more efficient service delivery and making effective use of Council resources. The Director also informed Members that if agreed, the proposals could generate an estimated revenue saving in a full year of approximately £140,000, which would be recommended to be ring fenced and invested back into Adult Services budget enabling the Council to maintain essential care and support services.

A Member referenced the Tonyrefail Day Centre and queried how many of the 17 that attend are local to Tonyrefail and also of the 64 registered to attend, the Member queried whether there is capacity to accommodate all under the proposals to relocate. The Director Social Services shared that currently 2 individuals who live in Tonyrefail attend. Of the 17 who attend on average per day, they are given the opportunities based on needs and that individual nees will be met under the proposals outlined in the report for Cwrt yr Osaf and longer term in Dan Y Mynydd.

Another Member queried the figures in the report in relation to Trecynon Day Centre, requesting clarification that the capacity for Cwmni Dda is sufficient to cater for the current average attendance figures. The Director Social Services confirmed that the capacity for Cwmni Dda is over 20 when both rooms are used and that the service area is confident there is sufficient capacity noting that the way the information is presented in the report does not make this clear.

A Member noted the staffing restructure that would be necessary as a result, and also referenced the need and intention to support service users to manage the change sensitively, the Member requested further detail about how this process would be carried out ensuring no impact to care levels. The Director Social Services outlined that the service area will ensure as part of any change process they would contact families and individuals who would be assigned an advocate and to outline what the changes would mean. The Director also explained to Members that any reassessments that may be required would also be undertaken. The Director emphasised to Members that the proposals would not mean any change to the level of care and support, this would remain as current and in terms of staff, the Director explained to Members that whilst some work has been undertaken to identify potential structures going forward, prior to approval from Cabinet regarding the proposals it would not be appropriate to detail this. Members were reassured that following any decision made by Cabinet, the Service Area would ensure the Council’s management of change process is followed and the relevant support for staff would be available also. The Head of Service – Accommodation also added to this by outlining to Members specific details of support available for service users and staff providing examples of where this process has been undertaken previously.

With the agreement of the Chair, a Non-Committee Member addressed the Committee and outlined their concern in relation to the proposals for Tonyrefail Day Centre highlighting the figures in the report show that 70% of available places are being utilised every day which they felt was a positive attribute for the centre and demonstrated the need for the facility to remain as a safe and welcoming place for individuals. Referencing the available capacity, the Non-Committee Member felt this was an opportunity for staff to be able to engage with the local community to increase attendance at this location. The Non-Committee Member also referenced the increase in journey time for individuals currently attending Tonyrefail and expressed concern that this would impact on some service users being able to continue to attend a day centre. The Director Social Services responded that 64 registered to attend all attend on different days dependent on their assessed needs. This is not an open access day centre that individuals can attend, it would not be appropriate for the staff to engage with the local community to attend. The Director acknowledged the good work that is carried out in the centres currently but assured Members this would continue in the new locations, transferring to a facility that can offer more than the current buildings. Transport- this would change but it will be important to look at routes to ensure they are as efficient as possible.

A Member of the Committee questioned the refence made to Dan y Mynydd and highlighted the potential opportunity to utilise this and shape the design of the building. The Director Social Services confirmed for Members that Dan y Mynydd is not built currently and outlined the plans for this to be an Extra Care facility also sharing the delays that have been faced by this project. Members were informed that it will take approximately 24 months for this to be completed and therefore the options outlined in the report were felt to be the most appropriate at this time.

A Member queried the assessment process that individuals currently undertake to attend day centres. The Member also made reference to the data provided in the report and asked what percentage of those registered to attend a day centre do not currently attend, and whether there is any data as to the reasons they do not attend. Lastly, the Member shared a concern that Cwrt yr Osaf will increase the number of local people seeking referral to a day centre in Pontypridd and this will impact on capacity for individuals transferring from Tonyrefail.  The Director Social services outlined the robust social services referral process of individuals based on their needs and the various support that is available. The Director also emphasised that attendance at they day centre is based on need and shared that the location of the centre would be unlikely to increase the needs of local individuals. The Director acknowledged the request for further detail on the reasons why registered individuals do not currently attend.

Following consideration Members RESOLVED to:

·       Authorise the Service Director Democratic Services and Communications to provide the comments and observations of the Committee to Cabinet, prior to their consideration of the matter.