Contact: Gill O'Leary 02392 471644 [email protected]

1 Summary

Substance Misuse Services in the South East of the County (Fareham and Gosport and East Hampshire localities) are provided in partnership with Portsmouth City Primary Care Trust. A Section 31 Partnership agreement has been prepared to cover the services in these two localities in order to formalise integrated single line management arrangements for substance misuse teams. This will allow arrangements to be in line with those covered by a similar agreement made with Hampshire Partnership Trust for substance misuse and mental health services elsewhere in the County on April 1^st 2003

The following decision is sought:

Agreement to sign the partnership agreement between

Hampshire Social Services and Portsmouth City Primary Care Trust

under Section 31 of the Health Act 1999

1. Reason

This decision supports Aims 1 and 5 of the Corporate Strategy, Maximising life opportunities and Improving services, by supporting the development of social care services for substance misuse within integrated team structures and enabling a more accessible service for users. The proposed decision supports national policy initiatives to tackle discrimination against people with substance misuse problems including those from black and minority ethnic groups

Other Options considered and rejected:

Continue with current arrangements

2. Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted

None

3. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

None

4. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

Not applicable

Approved by: .......................................... Date of decision: ....................

Councillor Felicity Hindson

Contact: Gill O'Leary 02392 471644 [email protected]

1. Background

Social Services has been developing joint management arrangements for adult mental health and substance misuse services for the past few years.

The background to the development of the organisational arrangements in mental health and substance misuse services was described in a report to Social Care Policy Review Committee on 17^th January 2003. A Partnership Project Team has overseen the process of working towards formalised partnership working between Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City PCT regarding the substance misuse services in Fareham and Gosport and East Hampshire.

Joint management of operational services provides coordinated and seamless care for service users. National guidance for substance misuse services, `Models of Care' describes the range of services required and emphasises the importance of integrated assessment and care processes

In progressing integrated services Aims 1 and 5 of the Corporate Strategy, Maximising life opportunities, and Improving services, are supported by developing social care services in substance misuse teams and enabling a more accessible service for users. In addition national policy initiatives to tackle discrimination against people with substance misuse problems are supported, including those people from black and minority ethnic groups.

2. Progress to date

There are currently six Social Services substance misuse Care Managers working alongside health colleagues in two NHS bases in SE Hampshire. Their day to day line management is from the Trust team manager.

Social care advice and professional development for these social workers is provided by the County Commissioning Officer for Substance Misuse who liaises closely with the team managers and with the County Manager (Operations).

The Commissioning Officer is also able to provide advice and information to the substance misuse NHS teams on social care issues and processes, thus supporting the move towards integrated working in the service.

Senior NHS managers in the substance misuse service for Portsmouth City PCT are receiving training in Social Services IT systems and budget management. Pooled budgets will not be part of the partnership agreement, however these managers will have delegated authority to manage the Social Services budget for substance misuse for the two South East localities, which amounts to £168,700 (£51,700 of which is for staff, £117,500 non staff). These managers already participate in Social Services budget monitoring processes.

Formal accountability for these arrangements to Portsmouth City PCT and Social Services will be via a Partnership Board

Section 31 Partnership Agreement

The signing of the Partnership Agreement appended to this report will provide the legal framework for the further development of the integrated single line management structure for substance misuse in SE Hampshire. It will allow the Council to delegate its functions for managing the service to Portsmouth City PCT.

Recommendation

That the section 31 Partnership Agreement between Hampshire County Council is signed by The Chief Executive following final amendment of the agreement by legal services

Background Documents

None