Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

ADULT SOCIAL CARE

PART II

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HAMPSHIRE MODEL WORKSTREAMS - FREE CRISIS CARE

Following Cabinet approval of the Hampshire Model for Adult Services social care as set out in the report of the Hampshire Commission of Inquiry `Getting Personal: a fair deal for better care and support', the Executive Member has been receiving updates on the various workstreams outlined in the Commission report. At her meeting on 1 May 2009, the Executive Member considered and approved the recommended strategic approach for the implementation of free crisis care (one of the key recommendations from the Commission report being that free care is available for all those at risk of admission to hospital and in need of urgent social care, or being discharged from hospital).

The incremental approach that the Executive member has agreed to adopt is based on the development of key elements of a social care re-ablement framework that can meet most urgent need. It can also form the basis of further development and holds the potential for integration with NHS led services. This framework will include Extension of `step down' beds across the county following the evaluation of the 'Time to Think' pilot in South East Hampshire and a county wide contract for the provision of Welcome Home from Hospital Support for vulnerable people needing help on discharge from hospital. The framework will include assertive intervention and re-ablement social care teams with potential to integrate with Hampshire Community Health Services (HCHS) and also include mental health services to provide short term intensive support at home, rehabilitation and re-ablement for people in a crisis. One off direct payments for vulnerable people needing help on discharge from hospital will also be made available.

An Integrated Care Systems Board has been established to have oversight of the development and delivery of the assertive intervention and re-ablement model and the delivery of Community Innovations Teams. The Board has agreed a broad vision for crisis intervention which includes the following aspirations:

· rapid response (4hr max)

· 24/7 access

· Free at the point of delivery (time limited for social care provision)

· Single point of access

· Safety and quality

· Professional intervention

The Executive Member has agreed a stepped approach to the delivery of free crisis care as it is difficult to quantify the total demand for free crisis care at this stage and there are service and resource constraints that require effective management. The initial phase of this approach will concentrate primarily on setting up particular services which will enable people to access elements of free care at specified times of crisis. This will make the financial impacts of service development more controllable.

In 2009/10 there is additional investment of £250,000 to support the free crisis care model. Costings are at a preliminary stage and will develop as the approaches take shape in practice but the anticipated 2009/10 funding requirement is expected to be within the available budget. Costings will be closely monitored in the context of the overall budget position, and adjustments made to ensure that a broad balance remains in place between costs and funding identified. Lessons learned can then feed into the 2010/11 budget-setting process.

Full details of the report agreed by the Executive member are at /decisions/decisions-docs/090501-ascexc-R0423110357

FELICITY HINDSON, MBE

Executive Member for Adult Social Care