Agenda item

To advise the Health and Wellbeing Board that BCP Council Adult Social Care has revised three easements to the Care Act (2014) under powers granted by the Coronavirus Act (2020). These easements were previously reported to the Health and Wellbeing Board on 4 June 2020

The Corporate Director for Adult Social Care presented a report on the Application of Care Act Easements for BCP Council Adult Social Care and revisions in August 2020, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘C’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Board was advised that the BCP Council Adult Social Care had reviewed its position in relation to easements to the Care Act (2014) under powers granted by the Coronavirus Act (2020). Three easements were previously reported to the Health and Wellbeing Board on 4 June 2020.  Officers reported that the Stage 2 easements used the flexibilities already present within the Care Act to change, delay or cancel some service types. The easements were introduced because Government recognised that the Covid-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressures on Adult Social Care and that the full requirements of the Care Act (2014) may be difficult for Local Authorities to discharge.

The Corporate Director reported that two of the three easements had been withdrawn relating to people with a hearing loss and changes in the provision of occupational therapy prescribed adaptations. Both services were now able to act under the Care Act at Stage one of the Coronavirus Act. She explained that the remaining easement related to day opportunities and day centre services.  The Board was advised of the national guidance issued by SCIE (Social Care Institute for Excellence) on how to consider safely opening up all such services.  The guidance acknowledged that it would not be possible to provide the services to the full range of clients or to the same intensity in view of the social distancing measures that would need to be put in place as a result of Covid 19.  The Corporate Director reported that work was underway with all providers to begin to provide services safely which was encouraging all be it more limited services.  She explained that if there was a community rise in Covid 19 cases advice would be sought from Public Health on the necessary action required in respect of day opportunities.

Councillor Dedman highlighted how the Council and partner organisations had managed throughout the pandemic. She indicated that there were still a lot of residents who were not keen to have visits due to Covid 19 and this issue needed to be considered.  She commended staff throughout the council and the partnership organisations for all their work.

The Chairman reported on isolation and loneliness which was a real problem and asked what could be done through the wider community to address this issue and what communication was planned to explain the position with current access to day opportunities.

The Corporate Director Adult Social Care reported that in relation to isolation and loneliness there were initiatives through the voluntary sector and Karen Loftus could update the Board at a future meeting.  She outlined the range of contact with clients explaining the situation on day opportunities including supporting those with direct payments and the choices they need make in accessing services, providers working with people who access such services and looking at how the Council assess people who use day opportunities.  The Corporate Director explained that the assessments would take some time due to the number of users which was in the region of 700.

Councillor Dedman referred to the “Together We Can” initiative and the impact of continuing to make contact with residents in their communities which hopefully would help to alleviate isolation and loneliness.

RESOLVED that the Board note that two previously applied stage 2 easements are no longer required, but that one remains in place.

(a)          the easement relating to assessments for people who are deaf were delayed in some cases because these can only be undertaken face-to-face with interpreters.  This is no longer required as adult social care staff are now able to undertake visits.

(b)          the easements relating to changes in the provision of Occupational Therapy prescribed adaptations and community equipment is no longer required as the building and supply trades have resumed operations.

(c)          the Stage 2 “easements” relating to day centre closure in order to comply with social distancing measures remains in place. Day services continue to be provided through alternative provision within the community or client’s homes, and increasingly through the resumption of buildings-based day centre support. Social distancing will, however, continue to preclude the full opening of day centres to the before COVID level of attendance for the foreseeable future.

Voting – Unanimous.