Agenda item

LBHF Cabinet approved, on 6^th March, the establishment of a Family Support Service (FSS) Joint Venture Company as a vehicle to drive system integration across a range of children’s health and social care services and improve long term outcomes for the Borough’s children and families.  This paper provides some background to the FSS, and articulates some of the opportunities to broaden the potential scope of the FSS and expedite integration of health and social care services across the Borough. 

Councillor Lukey welcomed Rachael Wright-Turner, Director of Children’s Commissioning and Robin Barton, Head of Commissioning, who presented the report, that set out proposals for the establishment of an integrated Family Support Service (FSS).  Historically, there had been many different formats used for the delivery of children’s services and this new vehicle was expected to bring together and deliver a range of strategically planned services that focussed on children and young people.  While acknowledging the current partnership working arrangements with health and adult social care services, they had identified a need for the closer alignment of multiple service provision. 

Referring to the concept of accountable  care, Rachael Wright-Turner explained that the FSS would bring together a range of services for children and young people, delivered by the Council or commissioned from providers.  One of the keys aims was to strengthen provision, simplifying the existing system which was complex for both families and service providers.  This presented an opportunity to design services differently, with the FSS being a vehicle for a new and evolving model. 

Keith Mallinson welcomed the FSS report, observing that the existing provision was fragmented, particularly in terms of the support for young people transitioning from children’s services to adult provision.  With reference to page 39, he enquired about the Joint Venture Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), and how the partners would be identified and recruited.  Robin Barton acknowledged the difficulties inherent in the transitioning process and explained that a procurement process would be followed.  A meeting had been held in February which 40 providers had attended. 

Rachael Wright-Turner elaborated that there were two different aspects to transitioning.  It was correct to identify pathways for young people moving to adult provision but it should be recognised that different professionals work with different groups.  Service delivery was less based on the management of need and more based on existing work practices, so could be better configured.  The FSS presented an opportunity to better plan and provide for people and that it would be helpful to stop thinking of it in terms of a “children’s” service but more holistically, as a “family” service.  This could also include additional adult social care services, as appropriate, with the main focus being people, rather than the different life stages experienced. 

Mike Boyle, Director of Strategic Commissioning and Enterprise, Adult Social Care and Health, observed that the FSS presented an opportunity to overcome barriers and would be brought back to the Board for further discussion, as development of the proposal progressed.  He explained that this would be an opportunity to explore the potential benefits of having all-age learning disability services, as opposed to the existing provision. One of the key questions was which parts of Adult Social Care provision would fit into the proposed model.  

Action: HWB

RESOLVED

1.         That the opportunity which the Family Support Programme offers to create an integrated health and wellbeing provider vehicle, which can deliver outcomes for both health and social care commissioning bodies, be endorsed.

2.         That the completion of opportunity assessments for the possible inclusion of the following local authority funded service areas within the FSS:

•           Adult Social Care assessment and provider Services; and

•           Local Authority funded emotional wellbeing support, be supported

3.         That the completion of these opportunity assessments with appropriate resources and leadership, where relevant, be supported.

4.         That, subject to the outcome of the opportunity assessments, the inclusion of these service areas within the FSS Joint Venture procurement, which will allow further exploration of the potential benefits of these services being integrated through the FSS, be noted, with the final inclusion within the FSS subject to appropriate governance decisions, be supported.