Agenda item

This report provides a progress update on Self-Directed Support.

Ms Bruce introduced the progress update on Self-Directed Support, which included:  the review of Direct Payments (DPs), initiated in the previous year as part of the closure plan for the DP Support Service provided by HAFAD; the Tri-Borough Personalisation Project, currently in progress, through which an improved operating system for DPs was being developed across the three authorities; arrangements for DP support in Hammersmith & Fulham in 2014/15; and changes to the commissioning of day services in Hammersmith & Fulham, linked to the personalisation agenda.

Ms Camp responded to members’ queries in respect of the payment system. DPs were currently made to an individual’s bank account with quarterly returns submitted to the Council. Improvements were being made with the introduction of a pre-loaded card, which would enable Council officers to view individual accounts on line and check how the money was being spent. It would also set alerts on the system which would highlight significant fluctuations in expenditure or other potential causes for concern.

The Government Procurement Service (GPS) was developing a framework agreement for pre-loaded cards, which could be accessed by any public sector body. However, the GPS had not kept to its original timescale and Adult Social Care was currently deciding whether to continue waiting or select the best available for a small scale pilot.

The pre-loaded card would make it possible to review all DP accounts regularly and on a more frequent basis. Currently, there was one dedicated member of staff monitoring nearly 400 H&F DPs. Under the new system, a Tri-borough Finance Team would manage all DP activity. On the basis of current DP numbers, it was likely that there would be two/three dedicated staff.

In respect of people assessed as having the mental capacity to consent to a DP but unable to manage the necessary financial administration, the DP could be Council-Managed. To support this, it was planned to establish an Approved List of day services across Tri-borough. Those people who managed their own DPs did not have to purchase from the Approved List.

Ms Camp stated that an individual with mental capacity to consent to a DP but who wanted someone else to manage the money on their behalf, retained all legal responsibilities for the DP. Members considered that there might be circumstances where the third party was liable, and asked that the legal advice be queried.

Action: Toni Camp

In respect of the in-house DP support, Ms Bruce stated that whilst this was the current preferred option, as part of the medium term planning, all options would be considered. 

Councillor Carlebach commended Action on Disability on the professional way in which it had worked with the Council during the transition to ensure that service users were not impacted.

Mr Naylor commented that potential users were influenced by stories about the monitoring of spending and that there was a need to inform the population and to dispel rumours. Mr Naylor advised officers not to delay in countering bad press.

Ms Camp responded that a Tri-borough policy on DP use had been developed with considerable user and staff involvement. The policy was being rolled out to operational teams, with staff briefings and associated training. This would be translated into a user friendly version within the next few months.

Mr McVeigh referred to the paragraph in the report regarding individuals identified as using the HAFAD service and 100 people using their DP to employ a carer who did not have arrangements that met basic legal/good practise arrangements. Mr McVeigh stated that this was entirely possible as HAFAD had been employed to provide advice and would not know whether this had been followed.

Mr McVeigh supported HAFAD’s projection that 200 people would require a significant level of ongoing support to manage their DP, and gave examples of potential problems. Mr McVeigh considered that the Care Management training provided by the Council was not as good as that provided by the other boroughs and that care managers did not understand the dichotomy between the DP offer and the broad range of things which could be bought. Officers were invited to attend the HAFAD peer group where DP users were able to raise their concerns.

Ms Bruce acknowledged the role of HAFAD and stated that she and Ms Camp would attend the peer group. Mr McVeigh agreed to provide the dates.

Action: Patrick McVeigh

Ms Bruce stated that Adult Social Care was aligning social work practices across the Tri-borough and was working towards a single social work model.

Ms Camp referred to employers’ liability and the importance of users knowing all their legal liabilities. It was a large part of the role of DP support staff to discuss employment provisions and help users to set up employments arrangements. It was still possible for users to disregard this advice and a system needed to be put in place to monitor compliance. It was intended to build capacity across the Tri-borough and to consider pooled budgets.

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The report be noted.

2.    The Committee recommended that feedback from service users be included in future reports.

3.    The Committee recommended that attention be given to communication with users and potential users.

4.    An update report be added to the work programme.