Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

Exempt appendix 3 – it set out at item 19.

Decision

(i)         That the recommendation from People and Health Overview Committee of 23 July 2024, for the proposed model for the future commissioning and reshaping of day opportunities provision in Dorset, be agreed.

(ii)        That the model described and the approach to implementation and consultation, be adopted.

Reason for the decision

Day services were a vitally important part of the Dorset support offer for several hundred local residents, providing meaningful activities during the day for those who need support. Our research had shown that people were increasingly wanting flexibility, variety and social connection, which points to a need to modernise the offer around day opportunities. Our commissioning strategies had previously committed the council to this direction of travel, and the additional insight gained from consultation in 2023 had now confirmed and firmed up the next steps.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care presented the report setting out proposals for reshaping the provision of day opportunities for people in Dorset, in line with the ambitions set out in the “Commissioning for A Better Life for Adults in Dorset”, the Council’s adult social care commissioning strategy. 

The report set out a new model for commissioning these services, and a way forward for implementing the model, including working with Care Dorset and other independent sector providers.

The report also had been considered in detail by People & Health Overview Committee in July 2024, they supported the proposals and recommended that the model be adopted.

It was proposed by Cllr S Robinson seconded by Cllr S Clifford that the recommendations set out in the report be approved and in the absence of any disagreement the recommendations were approved.

Cabinet received a request to ask a question regarding the exempt appendix. Members voted to proceed with the exempt business (see min 47-48) to address these questions.

Decision

(i)         That the recommendation from People and Health Overview Committee of 23 July 2024, for the proposed model for the future commissioning and reshaping of day opportunities provision in Dorset, be agreed.

(ii)        That the model described and the approach to implementation and consultation, be adopted.

Reason for the decision

Day services were a vitally important part of the Dorset support offer for several hundred local residents, providing meaningful activities during the day for those who need support. Our research had shown that people were increasingly wanting flexibility, variety and social connection, which points to a need to modernise the offer around day opportunities. Our commissioning strategies had previously committed the council to this direction of travel, and the additional insight gained from consultation in 2023 had now confirmed and firmed up the next steps.

To receive a report by the Corporate Director for Adult Commissioning and Improvement.

The Corporate Director for Adult Commissioning and Improvement introduced the report and gave a presentation to the committee. The presentation set out the set out the background and purpose of the project, consultation activity that was undertaken, an explanation of the proposed hub and spoke model, and the principles that would guide development of the project.

Members discussed the report and asked questions of the officers. The following points were raised during the discussion:

·       In response a question on the cost of buildings, officers stated the contract with CareDorset was approximately £5 million. There would not be a saving from the work or a loss of buildings, however there would be better value for money from buildings.

·       A member felt that there could be savings from buildings where some buildings could be sold or repurposed due to a very low number of people using the day centre.

·       When the future model was agreed, there would be a review of the properties. This had been done at a high-level by the Day Opportunities Task and Finish Group

·       The hub and spoke model would encourage natural connectivity between people taking part in day opportunities, and it could encourage others to take part who currently do not use day opportunities.

·       CareDorset spend approximately £2.5 million on buying from the private sector so people using Care Dorset had access to opportunities being run by the private sector.

·       Transport to day centres from rural areas was an issue, and transport was often underutilised. The current transport model was not viable for the future, however there would always be need for some kind of transport. The council only provided transport support for Care Dorset attendance.

Proposed by Cllr S Jones, seconded by Cllr W Chakawhata.

Decision

That the adoption of the model and the approach to its implementation be recommended to Cabinet.