Agenda item - Scrutiny of Adult Social Care Improvement Plan

39.1 Cllr Mitchie Alexander and Steve Hook presented to the committee. The main points were: CQC inspection announced in November 2024,overall score of 48%, waiting times and assessment were significantly overdue, high use of out of are placement were found but 85% were within Sussex, strengths were assessment and care plans being strength based and person centred, assessing needs were rated as 1 (38%), a Section 50 notice was served meaning further scrutiny from DHSC, Phase 1 high priority actions (for scores of 1) were underway and due to be completed in March-June 2026, improved governance involving cabinet member, informal cabinet and DASC, annual reviews have improved from 29.5% to 41% with a target of 44%, when inspection was carried out high level of residential and nursing admissions, some teams have made significant improvements on waiting times.

39.2 members asked a range of questions including:

·       About the scoring system used by the CQC

·       How BHCC compared to East & West Sussex

·       Concerns about resources available

·       Membership of the Task & Finish Group

·       Retention of staff

·       Reablement work with the NHS

·       The balance of ambition and deliverability in the plan

·       Whole systems issues

·       Focusing on prevention work

·       Concerns over the use of the term ‘waiting well’

·       Targets for the following financial year

·       The 18-25 cohort and transition to adulthood

·       How out of areas placements can be dealt with

·       How equalities data is collected and reviewed by senior leadership

·       Oversite of senior leadership team

·       Staff morale

39.3 Steve Hook confirm that the Improvement Plan was due to go to Cabinet in February and was scheduled to be returning to Cabinet in July for a progress update. Members agreed that they would like that update to come to the July meeting of the People Overview & Scrutiny Committee to provide scrutiny members with the opportunity to monitor the Improvement Plan’s progress.

39.4 RESOLVED that the People Overview & Scrutiny Committee note the report.