Agenda item

Strategic Concerns/Risk Register

Minutes:

Phil Hollingsworth, Service Director Communities, attended the meeting to discuss the strategic risk associated with Community Resilience and the way in which the increased strain as a consequence of economic, social, health or other factors on individual and families was addressed.  Information was provided about the status of the current risk and response rating in relation to the six Actions associated with this risk and details were provided about the work that was currently being undertaken to address these actions.

 

He stated that the risk had recently been escalated by Senior Management Team to a red response rating due to the issues associated with the cost-of-living crisis, the ongoing situation in the Ukraine and the uncertainty and increasing pressure placed upon Local Government.  He then went on to summarise in more detail the work that was currently ongoing in order to address the actions associated with the risk.

 

In the ensuing discussion, particular reference was made to the following:

 

·         In relation to the cost-of-living crisis and the potential for the crisis to get worse, it was noted that the Service would respond to any government initiative and to every and any opportunity available in order to address issues arising.  This would remain on the Council’s agenda for some time to come

·         There was a discussion of the ‘More Money in Your Pocket’ website and initiative which was just being rolled out and to the ways in which members of the public would be informed of what support was available.  It was noted that front line workers were made aware that those without internet access may struggle to access support and would, therefore, ensure that appropriate referrals were made

·         Information was sought as to whether or not homeworking had impacted on service delivery.  The Executive Director Core Services commented that the authority had embraced hybrid working with the majority of staff working 3 days in work with 2 days at home.  It was not felt that this or the previous home working arrangements had impacted on Service provision, however, if there were areas of concern these would be picked up.   It was important to note, however, that some services had continued to be delivered face to face throughout the pandemic

·         In response to specific questioning, Mr Hollingsworth outlined the initiatives in place both within his service and with other departments and agencies to try to ensure that those who were hard to reach or who were reluctant to seek help were offered appropriate support.  An assurance was given by Linda Middlewood (Head of Service) that work was ongoing within Adult Social Care on a number of initiatives involving health providers, the Police, Age UK and others

·         Arising out of the above, it was noted that a data analysis appeared to indicate that there and been an increase in terms of the numbers of people seeking to access services

 

Julie Chapman, Service Director Adult Social Care and Health, and Linda Middlewood (Head of Service) then discussed the strategic risk with regard to the potential for a safeguarding failure in Adult Social Care. 

 

Whilst the service was confident that controls were in place to minimise the potential for safeguarding failures there remained a need to continually appraise these and to be able to identify any changes which may weaken current levels of assurance.  Factors impacting on this, and which needed to be assessed included

 

·         the impact of Covid 19 on families and workforce capacity which could increase workload pressures

·         the increased incidence of poverty which could impact on demands for services and lead to increases in caseloads

·         future financial settlements which could impact on service provision

·         the pressures within the system including workload pressures which could lead to decreases in staff attendance at meetings etc.

 

Information was provided about the status of the current risk and the response rating in relation to the eight Actions associated with the risk and details were provided about the work that was currently being undertaken to address these actions.

 

In the ensuing discussion, particular reference was made to the following:

 

·         information was provided about the suite of metrics, indicators and data that were used to monitor risks.  Examples were also given of action that could be taken under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014.  Reference was also made to the types of issues encountered in this area and of the training given to staff to assist them in dealing with such issues

·         there was a discussion of staff recruitment and of how applicants could be incentivised to come and work in Barnsley.  Arising out of this, reference was also made to the way in which workloads, service demands and capacity were monitored

·         it was noted that clients were placed in the most appropriate setting as to not do so could lead to unnecessary safeguarding risks.  Information was also provided about the action that would be taken if a problem was experienced with a care home provider

·         arising out of the above, reference was made to the work undertaken with various agencies including the CQC to ensure that care homes provided an appropriate level and quality of care

 

RESOLVED that thanks be given for the updates and the updates be noted.

Supporting documents:

 

A - Z Directory