Agenda item

In July 2024, BCP Cabinet and Full Council agree to support a four-year transformation programme called Fulfilled Lives, approving a total investment of £2.9m spanning the first three years.

The programme is made up of four inter-dependent projects:

·       How We Work

·       Short-Term Support

·       Self-Directed Support

·       Support At Home

An initial investment of £1.79m for the first 12 months of the programme was agreed, with progress monitored on a minimum six-monthly basis by members of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

The programme entered its delivery phase in January 2025 and, since then, progress reports were presented to Committee in January, March and July.

The release of the remaining £1.11m funding for the programme was approved by Cabinet and Full Council in July 2025, and this report provides a further brief update for the programme overall including a deeper focus, as requested, on the Self-Directed Support and Short-Term Support projects.

The Director of Adult Social Care and Head of Service/Programme lead presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

In July 2024, BCP Cabinet and Full Council agreed to support a four-year transformation programme called Fulfilled Lives, approving a total investment of £2.9m spanning the first three years. The programme was made up of four inter-dependent projects:

• How We Work
• Short-Term Support
• Self-Directed Support
• Support At Home

An initial investment of £1.79m for the first 12 months of the programme was agreed, with progress monitored on a minimum six-monthly basis by members of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee. The programme entered its delivery phase in January 2025 and, since then, progress reports were presented to Committee in January, March and July. The release of the remaining £1.11m funding for the programme was approved by Cabinet and Full Council in July 2025, and this report provided a further brief update for the programme overall including a deeper focus, as requested, on the Self-Directed Support and Short-Term Support projects.

The Committee discussed the report and responses to queries were provided, including:

• In response to a query raised regarding the oversight of individual service fund providers, the Committee was advised that providers are subject to a two-stage accreditation process. The first stage involves assessment through the care and support framework, followed by accreditation specific to individual service funds. Ongoing monitoring is undertaken either by the Care Quality Commission or by the Council’s service improvement team, depending on the provider’s registration status.
• The committee was advised that providers deemed unsuitable would be decommissioned, with packages of care transferred to alternative providers as appropriate.
• The Committee raised concerns regarding the availability of suitable housing and the role of housing associations. Officers advised that supported living and care-linked accommodation were being included within the commissioning framework, and that work was underway with housing colleagues to identify appropriate provision for people with learning disabilities, mental health needs and other vulnerabilities.
• In response to a query raised regarding the importance of safeguarding individuals who are self-directing their support, the Committee was advised that all individuals must have eligible needs and that governance mechanisms, including regular reviews and financial checks, would remain in place to ensure safe and effective use of funds.
• In response to a query raised regarding market capacity and whether individuals were able to access the support they needed in the right place and at the right time, the Committee was advised that work was ongoing with trusted reviewers and community groups to identify gaps and develop appropriate services. This included the development of services through Community Micro Enterprises.
• The Committee noted that the programme aimed to support individuals to access existing community resources, such as walking groups or social activities, where these meet their outcomes, rather than solely developing new services.
• The Committee welcomed the conversion rate achieved through the programme and commended the approach to expanding choice and flexibility for individuals.

RECOMMENDED that the Committee notes the current work-in-progress with the Adult Social Care Fulfilled Lives Programme and specifically the updates for the Self-Directed Support and Short-Term Support projects.

Voting: For - Unanimous