Agenda item

The Chairman invited Cllr David Fothergill (Chairman - Economy, Environment, Housing & Transport Board) to introduce the discussion on social care.

David noted that adult & children’s social care is a major challenge for authorities with long running policy and funding issues. He then invited Stephen Chandler (President – Association of Directors of Adult Social Services) to present on the ADASS Spring Survey. Stephen noted the following points:

-          The survey focused on budget and policy issues facing local authorities.

-          The COVID-19 pandemic continued to drive demand for services above expectations.

-          Over 2021/22 local authorities were forecast to spend £16 billion on adult social care, accounting for 36.9% of total spending nationwide. There was a £1.15 billion funding gap in 2020/21, exacerbated by a circa £200 million shortfall.

-          The one-ff short term funding to cover COVID-19 services had masked existing and long-term funding problems in 2020/21. Councils were also relying heavily on reserves and the Social Care Precept to meet funding needs.

-          The demographics of adults accessing support have changed with increased spending on adults of working age. Directors of Adult Services (DAS) were also seeing increased engagement with homelessness and domestic violence cases.

-          The survey measured the confidence of DAS in delivering services in the year ahead.

o   21% were fully confident of meeting their statutory duties

o   79% had no or partial confidence on their budgets meeting statutory duties

o   40% were most concerned on their ability to provide care and support for work age adults, while 3% worried most about services for older people.

-          Based on responses there were significant waiting times for adult services. Over 75,000 were waiting for a care assessment or review, with a further 159,000 reviews overdue for existing service users. 19,000 who had been assessed were waiting to access support.

-          Prevention was noted as an area for more work and investment, with 73% of DAS highlighting prevention as a means for delivering savings down the line.

-          In order to meet existing and future demand ADASS was called on the Government to; publish plans for funding reform, provide sustainable funding and implement a long term plan for adult social care.

David thanked Stephen for his presentation, and moved on to discuss LGA policy and activity on adult social care matters:

-          The Government’s social care reform proposals were due to be announced in coming months. Combined with lobbying for a multi-year settlement in the Spending Review, the social care agenda was expected to be busy.

-          The LGA was calling for funding gaps and COVID-19 expenses to be fully met. Also working across multiple channels to deliver system reform that; addresses unmet need, develops a new deal for the workforce, improves quality & provision, secures sustainable funding and protects from catastrophic costs.

-          Engagement with ministers and the Department for Health & Social Care was taking place across a variety of channels. This included regular meetings Ministerial Local Government Engagement Group chaired by the Minister for Care (Helen Whately MP).

David invited Cllr Anntoinette Bramble (Chair – Children & Young People Board) to discuss issues around children’s social care and LGA activity. Anntoinette noted the following points:

-          The LGA’s Child Centered Recovery report was forming the core of lobbying on attempts to deliver secure a cross party, child focused recovery. LGA Vice-President David Simmonds MP led a Westminster Hall debate on developing a cross-Government strategy to improve outcomes for children on 14/7/21.

-          The CYP Board and officers were engaging with the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care, where the LGA is making calls to improve investment in Family Help and increase support for families. A formal response to the Case for Change report will be published in August 2021.

-          The LGA published a joint response with the Association of Directors of Children’s Services to the Government’s consultation on standards for unregulated care settings.

-          The Department for Education are assessing a capital programme to support councils to develop or expand children’s homes.

-          Work continued on the National Transfer Scheme for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and ensuring local authorities cooperated on providing care.

-          The publication of the SEND Review was expected in Summer 2021. The LGA continued to push the Government to recognise the challenges experienced by councils, and to ensure sufficient funding is available.

In the subsequent discussion members raised the following points:

-          A question arose on the role of the Social Care Precept in long term funding plans. David noted that the LGA is pushing for an effective long-term solution to social care funding. He added that the Precept was a short-term fix which had been unfair on some areas.

-          Members noted increasing levels of demand for SEND support which should be addressed in the ongoing Review. Concerns were also noted on access to specialist and medical services, whilst balancing such against community-based services. Anntoinette responded explaining that the LGA had called for a flexible framework between early intervention and long term support at all stages of development. On accessing specialist services Anntoinette recommended building close links with CCG’s to tap into further resource.

-          It was suggested that the High Needs Formula should be updated to meet current service needs. Anntoinette agreed on this point.

-          A view was expressed on awarding a fair pay settlement to care staff in line with NHS staff given their work during the COVID pandemic. Stephen explained that any pay award must be sustainable in the long term, but that councils should be more public in thanking staff. He added that, work was need to promote social care as a career option with good pay and progression outlooks. Anntoinette echoed these points for children’s social care staff.

-          Concerns were expressed with uptake levels of Early Intervention, with many families refusing support. Anntoinette responded that further work was needed and encouraged authorities to partner with local partners and charities to build trust.

-          A concern was noted on the Health & Care Bill and the potential for greater medicalisation of social care services. David explained he believed the Bill gave welcome flexibility and scope for local leadership. Cooperation with the NHS would be vital to deliver services effectively.

The Chairman thanked the speakers for their time.

Decision

The members of Councillor’s Forum noted the discussion and points raised.