Adult Social Care Strategy 2025-26

Date of Consultation: 8 October to 17 November

Number of responses: 162 including 14 using the Easy Read survey (Plus 130 face to face discussions)

Summary:

Thank you for sharing your views in the Adult Social Care Strategy consultation. Your feedback and ideas have been invaluable in shaping Adult Social Care's plans for the next two years.

A substantial majority of residents were overall in favour of the proposals in in the strategy hence, these have all been retained. However, some people suggested changes that would make the strategy clearer, more action-focused and ensure actions are measurable.

As a result,

  • Some changes to some language and the structure of the strategy
  • We have restructured the proposals under three key aims, with three workstreams under each. Arranging the priorities in this way aligns them with Senior Managers' areas of responsibility, ensuring efficiency and clear lines of accountability.

  • Each priority in the strategy includes performance indicators which will allow us to measure the impact of what we do.

  • Looked at achieving a balanced approach between technology and human interaction. Adult Social Care’s approach to technology will prioritise monitoring safety to ensure people can remain living in their own homes, making the Authority’s internal systems more efficient to prioritise interaction over administration, and complementing and facilitating human relationships, rather than replacing them. The Authority will work with its partners to promote digital inclusion programmes and initiatives.
  • Adult Social Care has included proposals to increase face-to-face advice within the strategy, delivered by an expanded Care and Connect team, and will continue development of more Easy Read resources.
  • the service has commenced a review of the Direct Payments’ policies and processes. Whilst Adult Social Care wants to enable more people to have increased choice over their care using Direct Payments, we recognise they are not right for everyone.
  • Maintaining a robust 24/7 service to coordinate Mental Health Act Assessments is a statutory duty, so addressing current challenges in this area must be a priority for Adult Social Care.
  • Adult Social Care does not intend to fully replace the current assessment framework; instead restructuring the existing assessment and support planning tools to improve focus on what matters most to people with care and support needs and make the tools more accessible. This proposal is in response to wider feedback from people with care and support needs.

The amended strategy was presented to Cabinet on 20 January 2025 and passed.

Thank you for getting this right.

Date of Consultation: 8 October to 17 November

Number of responses: 162 including 14 using the Easy Read survey (Plus 130 face to face discussions)

Summary:

Thank you for sharing your views in the Adult Social Care Strategy consultation. Your feedback and ideas have been invaluable in shaping Adult Social Care's plans for the next two years.

A substantial majority of residents were overall in favour of the proposals in in the strategy hence, these have all been retained. However, some people suggested changes that would make the strategy clearer, more action-focused and ensure actions are measurable.

As a result,

  • Some changes to some language and the structure of the strategy
  • We have restructured the proposals under three key aims, with three workstreams under each. Arranging the priorities in this way aligns them with Senior Managers' areas of responsibility, ensuring efficiency and clear lines of accountability.

  • Each priority in the strategy includes performance indicators which will allow us to measure the impact of what we do.

  • Looked at achieving a balanced approach between technology and human interaction. Adult Social Care’s approach to technology will prioritise monitoring safety to ensure people can remain living in their own homes, making the Authority’s internal systems more efficient to prioritise interaction over administration, and complementing and facilitating human relationships, rather than replacing them. The Authority will work with its partners to promote digital inclusion programmes and initiatives.
  • Adult Social Care has included proposals to increase face-to-face advice within the strategy, delivered by an expanded Care and Connect team, and will continue development of more Easy Read resources.
  • the service has commenced a review of the Direct Payments’ policies and processes. Whilst Adult Social Care wants to enable more people to have increased choice over their care using Direct Payments, we recognise they are not right for everyone.
  • Maintaining a robust 24/7 service to coordinate Mental Health Act Assessments is a statutory duty, so addressing current challenges in this area must be a priority for Adult Social Care.
  • Adult Social Care does not intend to fully replace the current assessment framework; instead restructuring the existing assessment and support planning tools to improve focus on what matters most to people with care and support needs and make the tools more accessible. This proposal is in response to wider feedback from people with care and support needs.

The amended strategy was presented to Cabinet on 20 January 2025 and passed.

Thank you for getting this right.