Agenda item - Wellbeing and Attendance Support Update

Report of the Executive Director for Finance & Resources (copy attached).

RESOLVED – That the Committee:

1)        Approves the procurement and award of a contract to FirstCare Ltd for a term of two years with the option to extend for a further period of 1 year to be implemented by the end of August 2017. This contract will be called off from the Surrey County Council Framework Agreement for the Provision of Employee Health and Wellbeing Services for the implementation of an OH nurse-led sickness service together with a new attendance management system.

2)        Notes the content of the report in terms of the council’s approach to attendance support and the measures taken to improve the wellbeing of staff.

166.1      The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Finance & Resources in relation to Wellbeing and Attendance Support Update. The purpose of the report was to brief the Committee on FirstCare, a Wellbeing and Attendance Support intervention comprising an occupational health (OH) nurse led sickness service and system, and to seek authority to proceed with its implementation across the whole Council. The report also detailed how the Council currently supported its staff during absence from work, what other wellbeing provision was available, and a general attendance support update.

166.2      In response to a series of questions from Councillor Sykes the following responses were given. Much of the advice would be signposting, and there was evidence to prove that this approach helped staff to get back to work quicker. This system was already in use at other authorities in the Orbis partnership, and their unions had not raised significant objections, instead there was a view that removing this responsibility from line managers gave staff better access to care from the beginning of any period of absence. The contract could be terminated with 6 months’ notice, and Officers were committed to reviewing and looking at other options if it did not prove effective. Councillor Sykes expressed concerns in relation to the emphasis on support to staff; in response the Chief Executive stated his duty of care as head of paid service, and his view that the Council’s current arrangements were not robust enough; he noted there was disappointment with the position of the trade unions as engagement had been sought. He went on to say that this area required a significant step change, and there was evidence from neighbouring authorities that this had been effective.

166.3      Councillor Mac Cafferty highlighted the duty of care that all Members also had to staff employed in the organisation; he highlighted that staff were increasingly asked to do more, suggested a pilot could be undertaken and that greater assurances in relation to confidentiality needed to be provided. Officers stated that confidentiality was a key aspect of this work, and monitoring would take place, as well as further work through the Joint Staff Consultation Forum.

166.4      In response to a further question from Councillor Mac Cafferty it was explained that East Sussex County Council was considered an appropriate comparison as the workforce was from drawn from the same area. 

166.5      Councillor Wealls highlighted his support of the report, and also noted the impact that long-term sickness had on other members of staff still at work who had to manage increased workloads as a result. He also noted that staff sickness had historically been high in the authority for a number of years, and could not necessarily be attributed to increased workloads on the last few years.

166.6      Councillor A. Norman noted her support for the report, and she hoped the proposals would offer a new reasonable way forward.

166.7      Councillor Janio highlighted his concern with the use of targets in the report, and argued this could skew outcomes; however, he was largely in support and highlighted the importance of a content workforce.

166.8      Councillor Mitchell noted that her own employer used this system, and she hoped the proof of success would be in the implementation.

166.9      Councillor Hamilton noted the number of days lost through staff sickness had remained largely consistent the last few years; he felt a third party would help better manage this process, and that discussions with the unions would continue.

166.10   The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote.

166.11   RESOLVED – That the Committee:

1)        Approves the procurement and award of a contract to FirstCare Ltd for a term of two years with the option to extend for a further period of 1 year to be implemented by the end of August 2017. This contract will be called off from the Surrey County Council Framework Agreement for the Provision of Employee Health and Wellbeing Services for the implementation of an OH nurse-led sickness service together with a new attendance management system.

2)        Notes the content of the report in terms of the council’s approach to attendance support and the measures taken to improve the wellbeing of staff.