Agenda item

To consider a report of the Director of Adult Services.

The original Direct Payment policy for adults was launched in September 2021. Following the implementation of this policy, feedback from service users and carers, stakeholders and external and internal legal teams determined that the policy needed to be reviewed to ensure that it was legally compliant. A decision was taken to carry out a formal consultation on eight proposals, some of which were linked to recent case law. The primary focus was to ensure that our Direct Payment policy is legally compliant, whilst also taking the opportunity to seek feedback on the policy and its implementation.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to:-

a)    Review and comment on the new policy

b)   Note the outcome of the Equality Impact Assessment

c)    Note the implementation plans

Officer contact: David Eckersley on 0161 218 1754 or email: david.eckersley@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Adult Services submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an update in relation to the Direct Payment policy for adults was originally launched in September 2021. Following the implementation of this policy, feedback from service users and carers, stakeholders and external and internal legal teams determined that the policy needed to be reviewed to ensure that it was legally compliant. A decision was taken to carry out a formal consultation on eight proposals, some of which were linked to recent case law. The primary focus was to ensure that our Direct Payment policy was legally compliant, whilst also taking the opportunity to seek feedback on the policy and its implementation.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care (Councillor Keith Holloway) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Welcomed the revised policy and thanked officers for their honesty.

·         It was noted that there were elements of the direct payments progress that required a social worker and queried the impact that would have on residents that had not been allocated a social worker.

·         In response, it was commented that there was an ongoing piece of work to understand the role of the duty social worker and team manager with respect to them being available for queries relating to direct payments.

·         It was queried what options were available to residents that weren’t confident with technology or unable to use the online platform.

·         In response, it was stated that it was intended to produce the policy documents in various formats to ensure that it was accessible and in terms of the interface there would be a web offer and staff would be available to support residents.

·         In response to a query around staff engagement to embed the culture of direct payments, it was commented that training and involving real people with real experience of the benefits of direct payments would be key to embedding the culture within the team. Members suggested that officers contact the Speaking Out group in relation to involving people with lived experience.

·         It was noted that there was a number of characteristics within the equality impact assessment where the data was not available and commented on the importance of data recording to measure whether a policy disproportionally impacted a socioeconomic group.

·         It was queried what safeguards were in place to ensure that the payments were spent in a meaningful way and by the people who would benefit the most.

·         In response, it was commented that there would be proper auditing as part of the provision of a direct payment, with an Audit team supporting people around the account and spending in line with their Care Act assessment and agreed outcomes. In addition, there would be a social work review on a regular basis to support people with their use of the direct payments.

·         Welcomed the use of direct payments as a means to empower individuals and give them more flexibility and control around their support package.

·         It was commented that whilst it was sensible to recommend that people set up a separate bank account to administer their direct payment monies, it was difficult to set up a bank account and queried whether support would be available.

·         In response, it was confirmed that the service would support residents who wished to set up new bank accounts for the direct payments and there would be a flexible approach ensuring alternative options for any resident unable to set up a bank account. It was noted that other councils operated a direct payment delivery method of providing a debit card facility which could be an option considered in the future.

·         In response to a question relating to community engagement and ensuring residents who this affected were made aware, it was commented that the service had corresponded with affected residents on multiple occasions throughout the process and the website would be updated and a letter sent once the policy was launched. It was noted that the Direct Payment User Group was a good avenue for engaging with the residents affected and seeking their feedback on communication.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.