Contact: Glyn Jones or Angela Watwood ext: 7257 or 7272

1 Introduction

1.1 The purpose of this report is to inform members about the Commissioning Plan for Physical Disability and Sensory Services. It has been developed through consultation with operational staff in the sector and a draft document was circulated to colleagues in Health, together with relevant user groups and organisations. The feedback has been positive.

2 Background

2.1 Hampshire County Council supports the Social Model of Disability, which defines disability as the disadvantage or restriction of activity caused by society which takes little or no account of people who have impairments, and this excludes them from mainstream activity. Users and carers remind us that they want to have informed choice, accessible and timely services, control of their lives and empowerment.

2.2 Physical Disability and Sensory Services, by working in partnership, will ensure consistent quality services, promoting independence, choice, empowerment, skills, rights and participation.

2.3 The major challenges for the services are balancing the increased demand from an increasing number of people who are physically disabled or have sensory loss with the resources we have available, and maintaining a skilled and competent workforce.

3 Key objectives for 2003/04 are:

3.1 Access to Services

3.1.1 To develop Social Services Direct as the first point of contact for Occupational Therapy referrals - Hampshire OT Direct.

3.1.2 Expand the Direct Payments scheme so that it is available to people who are eligible to receive services on discharge from hospital.

3.2 Participation

3.2.1 Work with Hampshire Coalition of Disabled People on an Invest to Save bid to provide a web-based solution for accessing information and equipment : Equipment Direct.

3.2.2 Develop a strategy for Day Services to reflect the needs of service users, future users and their participation in society.

3.3 A Confident and Competent Workforce

Reconfiguration of Care Management, Occupational Therapy and Sensory Services into specialist teams.

3.4 Management Information

3.4.1 Develop Local Management Information to support the needs of team managers and strategic reporting.

3.4.2 Ensure our management information needs are included in the implementation of the corporate IT system (SWIFT).

3.5 Promoting Independence

3.5.1 Promote independence by carrying out user-focussed comprehensive assessments.

3.5.2 Review purchasing and provision of domiciliary care, residential and nursing home care options for service users, including the in-house provision at John Darling Mall.

3.6 Partnership

3.6.1 Implement the Integrating Community Equipment Service agenda to meet the Department of Health targets.

3.6.2 Develop Care Pathways and integrated teams with Health and other partners to prevent duplication.

3.7 Valuing Carers and Users

3.7.1 Implement the User/Carer Strategy `Completing the Circle' and promote the use of the carers' confidential helpline (08457 221122), which is open between 1630 and 2330.

3.7.2 Ensure all services are accessible and sensitive to the needs of all communities ensuring equal opportunities.

3.7.3 Promote Direct Payments to black and minority ethnic populations.

3.8 Best Value Services

Complete Best Value Review of Sensory Services and implement findings.

3.9 Protecting Vulnerable Adults and Children

Implement the departmental strategy for Protection of Vulnerable Adults and Children.

3 Conclusion

4.1 There is much activity underway in the physical disability sector, in terms of policy development and service initiatives which will improve our performance in relation to national targets and the experience for users using the services. It is important that social services and the County Council as a whole continue to maximise user involvement in these developments. In addition to this, to carry on co-ordinating work with key partners and stakeholders in order to utilise resources effectively.

4 Recommendations

4.1 Members are asked to note this report.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents

The Following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt of confidential information as defined in the Act.