Disability Independent Advisory Group (DIAG)

Disability Independent Advisory Group (DIAG)

Minutes of the meeting held at

The Poppy & Pint Pub, West Bridgford on Thursday 12January 2012

Present

Barbara WorrallBritish Polio Fellowship (Chair)

Simon BernackiDisability Nottinghamshire(Secretary)

Elspeth MallowanRural Communities Action Nottinghamshire (RCAN)

Loveleen LabanaNottinghamshire Coalition of Disabled People

Chris ThompsonNottinghamshire Police

Carole CantrellService User

Ken ShepherdService User

Pauline KentonService User

Ian DysonService User

Patricia FarleyService User

Anne BrownService User

Eddie MorecroftService User

Dora KostiukService User

Olech KostiukCarer

Val SullivanCarer / LD Partnership Board

Sue CorrieCarer

Jan ClarkCarer

Roger ClarkCarer

Janice HuntCarer

Ann BeulshausenCarer

Michael WorrallCarer

Andrew MerrimanCarer

Marian DonaldsonStonebridge City Farm

Ian BradfordRushcliffe CVS

Julia RobinsonParkinsons UK

Pat LowerParkinsons UK

Kelly SharpeRosekel Resourcing

Martin AustinDisability Direct – Nottingham

Bev PearsonDepartment of Work & Pensions

Cllr Stuart WallaceNottinghamshire County Council

Jane NorthNottinghamshire County Council

Sandrina MapletoftNottinghamshire County Council

Anne MorganNottinghamshire County Council

Konrad BakalarzykNottinghamshire County Council

Katie SandersonNottinghamshire County Council

Veronica Price-JobNottinghamshire County Council

Apologies

Dean ThomasService User (Vice Chair)

Stuart SaleSafeguarding Adults NCC

Linda WhittService User

Colin WhittService User

Colin HandleyNottinghamshire Police Authority

Colin LewisBroxtowe Borough Council

Lynne CollierNewark and Sherwood Homes Ltd

Maggie ElseNottinghamshire County Council

Pete EdwardsNottinghamshire County Council

Penny SpiceNottinghamshire County Council

Irene KakoullisNottinghamshire County Council

Minutes of last meeting

Barbara welcomed everybody to the meeting and apologised for the cramped conditions. The turnout was greater than expected and we shall seek larger accommodation should we cover a similar topic in the future. The minutes of the meeting on 21 September 2011 were approved as a true record.

Matters arising

There were no matters arising from the previous minutes.

Ground rules and expectations

Barbara showed everyone some ground rules and expectations which had been prepared earlier. She asked those present if they had any comments or amendments. There were no changes made to the list below:

• Respect the views of others
• Only one person to speak at any given time
• Indicate if you would like to speak
• Guideline – 2 minutes slot to speak so everyone has an opportunity
• Allow time for relevant questions, use question cards if no time left
• Treat everyone how you would like to be treated yourself
• Confidentiality
• Using your own judgement on what you would like to share
• Keep to the point and concise
• Tolerance / forgiveness / patience
• Not to be overtly confrontational towards others in attendance

• For everyone to understand the current and future needs of service users, carers, service providers, support organisations and Nottinghamshire County Council within the present economic, political and social environment
• To engage with Nottinghamshire County Council in effective and open dialogue regarding self directed support and personal budgets
• For representatives from Nottinghamshire County Council to attend and update the group on any questions or concerns raised in relation to self directed support and/or personal budgets
• To consult DIAG members on any changes to self directed support or personal budgets
• Collectively work out how we can move forward to effectively influence decisions and implement change

Self Directed Support – Keynote Address by Cllr Stuart Wallace, Deputy Cabinet

Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Nottinghamshire County Council.

The Chair welcomed Councillor Wallace to the meeting. He introduced himself and what his role and responsibilities are as a Councillor. He explained the reason behind Councillor Rostance’s absence from the meeting as efficiency. They equally have the responsibility to improve social care in Nottinghamshire so there is no need for both to attend the same meeting.

Councillor Wallace gave an overview of the role Nottinghamshire County Council has in meeting people’s social care needs which includes caring. He informed everyone the Council was meeting its targets and performing above average. At the end of November 2011 there were 8,239 (47%) service users and carers who are receiving a personal budget. Of these only 11% are receiving a personal budget as a direct payment, the majority either have a managed or mixed account. The Government target is for 100% of service users and carers to be on a personal budget by March 2013. Councillor Wallace believes personal budgets are key to unlocking service users and carers ambitions.

He appreciates that there are some issues, in particular, people accessing micro providers who are currently not on a provider list.

Councillor Wallace would like to hear constructive criticism and possible options as to how a situation could be improved. This is effective partnership working and something which he supports. He thanked the group for inviting him to the meeting and looked forward to the rest of the session.

To contact Councillor Wallace please use any of the following methods:

Post:

16 Windsor Road
Newark
Nottinghamshire
NG24 4HS
Telephone:
Home: 01636 677145
Mobile: 07789 481247
E-mail:

Self Directed Support – Presentation by Sandrina Mapletoft, Putting People First

Project Manager for Adult Social Care and Health, Nottinghamshire County Council..

Sandrina gave a presentation to the group regarding personalisation, a brief history, where we are now and where we want to be in the future. Please see Appendix 1 for more info.

During the presentation, some members asked questions regarding personalisation which can be found below:

Q.Is the personal budget of a carer means tested?

A.No. It replaces the carers grant.

Q.Hard to get social workers to talk about the indicative budget.

A.We’ve been told about this from other people and are looking into it. We will speak to social workers to see what help they need in order to tell people what their indicative budget is.

Q.Are people told straight away if they meet FAC’s (Fair Access to Care Services) eligibility to receive a personal budget?

A.All people are told whether they can or cannot access services. If borderline, it then goes to a panel for a decision. If people don’t meet eligibility, then a social worker will help to signpost them to other organisations who might be able to assist.

Q.What happens if the support package is not working? Is there a process to appeal or make a complaint?

A.Contact the customer service centre and all queries are then passed to the team manager or social worker. If the problem persists, we will identify any training needs for employees in the customer service centre to better meet the needs of the caller (either user or carer) in the future.

Q.I received a letter saying that the person I care for is going onto a personal budget before a visit from a social worker has taken place.

A.Please speak to me in the break as this is an individual case.

Q.Are there going to be any changes to the billing systems? Both users, carers and providers are finding it difficult to pay and get paid for services.

A.Currently there is a new system being installed at County Hall to help improve payments. It’s in transition at the moment but we hope it improves the process.

Q.How long does it take for a social worker to meet a service user?

A.A service user should be contacted within 28 days of an enquiry to begin the process. If the case is more urgent then it will be sooner.

Sandrina updated the group on future developments of personalisation in Nottinghamshire which included:

• Combining the self directed support assessment and support plan into one document.
• Changing questions in the self directed support assessment – include FAC’s eligibility against each question
• Piloting new self directed support assessment questions with social workers
• Restructure of adult social care and health department
• Invested in reablement and intervention to remain independent
• Ongoing training for staff about personal budgets and self directed support
• Continuing Support with Confidence directory of personal assistants
• Micro provider support to increase choice in the marketplace
• Online web directory of social care services in Nottinghamshire

The group thanked Sandrina for her presentation.

Self Directed Support – Workshop Session

Elspeth Mallowan (Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire - RCAN) introduced the workshop session relating to self directed support and personalisation. She explained that the aim of the workshop was to gather people’s views and opinions on what is working well at the moment, what isn’t working well and where people would like to be in 12 months time. People were given badges with different colours that relate to particular tables. On each table are a set of questions which we would like you to discuss in your group. After the session we will feedback to the group the comments which have been made. These will be used to help inform DIAG and Nottinghamshire County Council of the actions required to address some of the issues people are currently facing in order to improve the process/system for everyone.

Self Directed Support – Workshop Feedback

What’s working well with personal budgets and/or self directed support?

• Choice - Flexibility/Freedom
• Control - little/lot
• Variety of activity (freedom from Day Service)
• When it’s good it’s very good
• Positive Perception of Care
• Competitive Environment - value and quality
• Easy to opt out
• Better dialogue
• More positive outcomes
• Better awareness of available services

What are the barriers and challenges you face with personal budgets and/or self directed support?

• Customer Service Centre
• Anxiety over a named worker
• Inconsistencies in assessments
• Time pressures on assessment completion
• Documentation
• Threats of withdrawal of services
• Length of time to release fund
• Medical diagnosis can hinder
• With/without partner - different experience
• Appeals - 52 weeks no appeal
• Staff training

Where do we need to be in the future? Where would you like to be in 12 months time?

• Quicker process
• Improved assessment process, especially people making an initial enquiry
• Support for budget holders – confidence building, training, awareness of process
• More information – charging, brokerage (what services are available), updates and understanding of personalisation
• Continuation of support and care packages
• Training staff at Nottinghamshire County Council – customer services and social workers
• More resources invested in adult social care and health to allow it to work to its full potential
• Support for carers
• Contact details of social worker rather than customer service centre

For a full list of the comments please see Appendix 2.

Round Robin – Questions and comments

A comment was mentioned regarding separating people into particular groups is not very conducive to people’s wellbeing. A mixed group of people of all ages, with a range of disabilities is by far the best way forward.

Chris Thompson from Nottinghamshire Police invited people present to attend their next Independent Advisory Group (IAG) and virtual network meeting. Please contact Chris for more information and to get involved:

Post:

Partnership Officer
Nottinghamshire Police
County Division Mansfield Police Station
Great Central Road
Mansfield
NG18 2HQ

Email:

Phone:

0300 300 99 99 ext 805 3574
07809 689755

Any other business

On Wednesday 21 March 2012, Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire (RCAN) are holding an event called – Making the most of your ability.

For more information and to book a place please contact Elspeth Mallowan on the following:

Phone:01623 727600

Fax:01623 720148

Email:

Post:

Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire
The Newstead Centre
Tilford Road
Newstead Village
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
NG15 0BS

Date of next meeting

Wednesday 18 April 2012 from 11am till 2pm

Venue to be confirmed

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Appendix 1

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Appendix 2

What’s working well with personal budgets?

Working very well for some people - those able to cope with system

Real personalisation is brilliant

Some cases of choice and control

Support Worker give freedom from Day Centre and allows varied activities

Easy to opt out

Made it to work for individual

More positive outcomes for those with learning disabilities than the elderly

Improving awareness of services and financial support available

Improved dialogue

More in control - makes me feel I am more in control of my life

Lots more choice - flexibility

“I have all of the control and all of the say”

Control - can have as little or as much as you want

People’s perception of the services is much more positive

There’s now a competitive environment which raises the bar, increases quality

More freedom to do other things, for example meeting someone to share life with

What are the barriers and challenges you face with personal budgets and self directed support?

If you have a partner, your experience of independence is not the same as someone living alone

Not all service users understand the process

Medical diagnosis can be a barrier, often professionals are not sure of what the condition is for sometime

What do you do during this time?

Fixed 52 weeks/year - no appeal

Mechanism for appeal - not putting people first, not working

Getting into system

Once in, time not known to finalise

End user losing out

Not able to contact social worker when needed

Team leaders not approving

No partnership with social workers

Length of time to release funds

Length of interviews/repeating information

Provision of documentation and in an accessible format

Worries about the withdrawal (or threat of) of services

Lack of service provider

Referring via Customer Service Centre

People anxious because don’t have named worker. Also they don’t understand system

Inconsistencies in how assessments are done

Time pressures on assessments being done

Obtaining and receiving appropriate documentation ie copies of assessments and support plans

Timescale involved and process requires streamlining

Inadequate explanation of the process

Pre-assessment information to be left with service user/carer for consideration prior to assessment

Additional training required for social workers

Lack of services

How to resolve problems (who to contact) then care package fails

Where do we need to be in the future? Where would you like to be in one year’s time?

We need an improved ‘pre-assessment’

Confidence building for budget holders

More information re charging - earlier in the process

Clearer information for everyone about how process works

More resources for Adult Social Care to allow system to work to full potential

Improvement to brokerage

Improve independence for people living with a partner. (Partner should not feel it’s their duty to provide care.)

More training for service users about personal budgets

Train service users and carers together

There needs to be a more connected relationship between social work, NHS etc ...

The process needs speeding up

Greater investment in social care

Better staff training

Greater understanding of needs

NCC has worked with carers/service users to achieve best outcomes possible for everyone

Continuity of budget without interference

Continuity of care for person being cared for

Service users and carers have all information to hand to understand and be able to use system to their advantage

Monitoring people not on personal budgets

Coherent appeals process

Be given a key worker to contact

Being updated of changes

Being on all decisions from the beginning

Access to information

Training for ACFS and Customer Care

Mechanism for people with speck impairments

Better communication

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