Agenda item

Report on Working Age Adults Complex Care, Supportive Housing and the Newton Report 2024.  Presented by Elaine Hewitt, Michael Rudd and Natalie Smith (HAS).

Considered – A presentation on the provision of complex care and supportive housing to working age adults.

Richard Webb, Corporate Director for Health & Adult Services introduced the presentation and drew attention to the recently published Newton Report which addressed the case for improving outcomes for working age adults and lifelong disabled adults.

Members noted the purpose of the research programme, as outlined in the presentation and the three identified cohorts of adults with care needs.  They paid particular attention to the recommendations within the Report and the potential hurdles e.g. data collection and transition planning.

Elaine Hewitt, Head of Mental Health confirmed there was lots to be learned from the council’s successes in transitioning the Health & Care Plans for some groups of young people to adult care.

Members went on to note:

·          40% of adult social care users were working age adults (18-64) or lifelong disabled individuals (65+), accounting for 63% of the total adult social care spend;

·          Future demand was set to surge;

·          The shortage of suitable housing which they agreed needed addressing through the Local Plan;

·          The council’s definition of complex care needs

·          The increase nationally of young people presenting with complex care needs;

·          The practice challenges for HAS

·          The associated recommendations arising from the CQC Peer Review;

Attention was drawn to the intensive ‘Team around the person’ partnership model recommended by the CQC Peer Review which had recently been introduced, which would enable a unique care plan to be developed for each individual to address their specific needs. Elaine Hewitt confirmed the approach was in its infancy but would provide a good preventative way of ensuring access to the right support.  She also confirmed the aim was to bring more partners in to reduce the risk of serious incidences.  Members requested a further update on the delivery of the model for a future meeting.

Members discussed the MEAM approach and the hotspots across  the county e.g. Harrogate and Scarborough, and the planned  work to develop a policy around complex decision judgement and decisions.  It was noted it would build on established models providing structure for practitioners in decision making.

Michael Rudd, Head of Supported Housing, provided an overview of the supported Accommodation currently available across the county and the different types i.e. extra care, supported living (long term) and supported housing (short term).  It was noted that the available supported housing would require a lot of extra focus to improve its position in line with extra care.

Attention was drawn to the locality and demand for both supported housing and supported living units, and it was noted that some of the current provision was no longer fit for purpose and needed either replacing or refurbishing.

Members agreed that many older people did not want to live in care homes or shared housing and wanted to remain as close to independent as possible.  They therefore recognised the need for an interlocking model that would provide different types of accommodation for different stages in life, built in nice places close to amenities etc.

Finally Members considered the adults housing pathway target model detailed in the presentation, and discussed the problems with the housing market preventing residents from moving on from temporary accommodation.

The Chair thanked officers for their report, and it was  

Resolved – That:

i.      The report be noted.

ii.     An update on the delivery of the ‘Team around the person’ model be added to the Committee’s work programme for a future meeting.