Archived decisions

Contact: Vincent Oliver Ext: (01962)833016 email: [email protected]

1. Summary:

1.1 This report identifies the consultation process that is undertaken by Adult Services when any significant changes take place in service delivery.

1.2 Currently there are two major consultations underway at two Homes managed by Hampshire County Council. These are at Newman Bassett, Winklebury, Basingstoke and Linden House at Lymington. Permission to consult was approved on the 16^th May by the Executive Member for Adult Social Care and this was for a 12 week period.

2. Requirement to Consult

2.1 The requirement to consult is covered by four Acts of Parliament:

· Local Government Act 1999

· Race Relations (amendment Act)2000

· Health and Social Care Act 2001

· Disability Discrimination Act 2006

In addition to the above The Cabinet Office `Code of Consultation' is the standard by which, as an Authority, we are `invited' to operate. In this area the Authority has also signed up to the Hampshire Compact which re-inforces the requirement to have a twelve week consultation period for any significant changes to services.

3. Consultation in Relation to the Reprovision Programme

3.1 Adult Services have established a consultation process in relation to the reprovisions, which has been modified in the light of experience. The process is linked to the committee cycle and in particular the committee meetings of the Executive Member for Adult Social Care.

Consultation has three distinct phases:

1) Prior to approval to consult;

2) Following approval to consult;

3) Finally following when the final decision is made

3.2 In the first phase above, there are a number of areas to prepare for and stakeholders to consult with, which include;

_ Joint consultations between Property, Business and Regulatory Services and Adult Services which identify key issues in relation to buildings and their suitability for future development. As part of this would be an options appraisal.

_ Local commissioners/care management regarding demographic information and residential market capacity

_ The Leader of the County Council and the Executive Member for Adult Social Care. This would then include a meeting with key local Members/HATS Co-ordinators and the local MP

_ Unions

_ Just before the first committee meeting requesting permission to consult, when the documents are in the public domain, meetings are held with:

- all staff in the Homes affected;

- all residents and their relatives or advocates for those residents who

do not have relatives.

This is planned so that all of those affected do not hear or see in the media first.

3.3 In the second phase once permission has been given by Executive Member for

Adult Social Care, the Care Manager, who has been appointed to assist the

process, arranges individual meetings with all residents including their relatives, or advocates if appropriate. Often a member of staff from the Home who has supported the resident as a key worker would also be present. During these sessions, the individuals needs are re-assessed and any initial options of future accommodation discussed. A number of factors are taken into account at this stage, including the persons needs now and in the near future (whether ordinary residential care or nursing care or, for possibly one or two sheltered/extra care housing), whether the person wishes to move to a home nearer the relative and what friendships (in the current Home) need to be taken into account. The options include both In-House and Independent sector Homes, and we would ensure (within reason) that residents/relatives were not disadvantaged financially as a result of going into the Independent sector homes. Once this initial meeting has taken place the Care Manager will consider the known local options, or where the person wishes to move further away to be nearer relatives and then what is available in that area. Further meetings will then take place with the resident/relative/advocate when the care manager will have secured further medical/specialist input as part of the re-assessment. The options will be discussed and often relatives would then wish to have an initial look at the alternatives and sometimes the resident would wish to visit as well. There are occasions when residents, who have formed friendships, wish to move together, and generally is supported but cannot be guaranteed given that, either their needs are different or there are insufficient vacancies in the same home.

This process is undertaken at this time and in this way to prepare the residents/ relatives for when a decision is made following the twelve weeks consultation.

3.4 During this twelve week period the other key consultations include:

o Individual meetings with all staff with Human Resources/unions and often the manager of the home

o Meetings with Members including visits to Home if requested

o Letters/meetings to all other key stakeholders which include:

- PCT colleagues

- Local GPs/Nurses/Consultants

- District and Borough Councils

- Voluntary Organisations including Age Concern/Alzheimer's

- Other interested parties

3.5 Once all the information from the consultations are collated, this forms part of the report for the final decision day for the Executive Member for Adult Social Care.

3.6 At the third stage, if the decision to reprovide is agreed then the process of moving the residents starts, taking into consideration all the factors above but moves at the pace of the individual. However, experience has shown, that once a decision has been taken residents wish to move as soon as possible and this is sensitively planned to take into account all the needs including friendships (where possible)

3.7 As part of the care management process all residents are followed up with a formal review at the new accommodation. If it is found that they have not settled, all parties are consulted and further options considered, and then moves take place at the pace of the individual.

4. Impact Assessment

4.1 In compiling this report account has been taken of the requirements of the Corporate Equalities Plan and Statutory Equality Scheme. The impact should be minimal given that thorough care management assessments have been undertaken and that suitable alternatives have been identified and available.

5. Recommendations

5.1 That Members note the content of this report and scrutinise the approach to consultation.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have 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 or confidential information as defined in the Act.