Directorate of Adult, Community and Housing ServicesComplex and Inclusion ServicesThe Ladies Walk Centre, Ladies Walk, Sedgley, Dudley, West Midlands. DY3 3UATel: (01384) 813252 Fax: (01384) 813502www.dudley.gov.uk

Draft MinutesMeeting Title Learning Disability Partnership BoardDate Monday 12th January 2015, 1.30pm – 3.30pmVenue Insight House, Pearson Street, Brierley Hill, DY5

3BL

Present Brendan Clifford, Neil Davies (Chair), Sarah Offley, Charles Muchenje, Diane Baker, Julie Cox, Jo Forbes, Paul Jaunzems, Ann-Marie Carter,Gilly Hammett, Alex Burns, Madeleine Cowley, Mollie Berry, Dave Buxton, Gita Patel, Saleem Naz, Maniza Begum, Cllr David Vickers, Jacqui Howells, Adam Kirby

In Attendance Shobha Asar-Paul, Paul BengeMinute Taker Susan Bradley Apologies Neill Bucktin, Lynda Nock, Donna Patel, Viv

Webb, Sharon Davies , Rachael Burton, Tina Harrison

1. Welcome

Neil welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductionswere made.

2. Apologies

Apologies were given as indicated above.

3. Minutes of Last Meeting and Matters ArisingThe draft minutes dated Monday 10th November 2014 were discussed and agreed.

An amendment to names – Page 1 Dr A Kirby should be Adam Kirby and Page 7. Incorrect spelling Manna Begum

LDPB Minutes 12.01.2015 1

should be Maniza Begum also Maniza’s question was relating to Christine Rowley’s replacement and not regarding the Chief Executive.

Matters Arising (Easy Read Minutes)Page 2. Brendan said he has met with Nicola McGregor and she has a lot of experience working with carers and suggested inviting her to a meeting to discuss her role. Sue to invite Nicola to the next Partnership Board meeting.

Page 3. Brendan raised the issue of the word ‘Safeguarding’ and said that it is used by the Government. It will continue to be used but will look at changing the communication mechanism in time.

Page 6. Donna Patel and Julie Cox attended the GP Event. Julie said that the event went well and received positive feedback from the evaluation forms. Approximately 70/80 GPs attended and every GP practice, total of 52 in the Dudley Borough was represented. Racheal presented a communication session and detailed information was discussed on learning disability and the network.

4. Feedback from Dudley Voices for Choice Feedback from Diane.

Dudley Voices for Choice have achieved their first year of charity status. They are very proud of this and looking forward to the future.

The Shine event is now planned and will be happening on the 24th February. This is a celebration for Dudley's talent. Dudley Voices for Choice hope that you will attend. There will be singing, dancing, poetry and many other acts.

Dudley Voices for Choice are planning an event in line with the Mencap campaign ‘Hear My Voice’, and have invited all local MP's to attend a session with people with learning disabilities and autism, to explain why they should vote for them.

Gilly asked about the Shine event invitations. Sarah said LDPB Minutes 12.01.2015 2

they should be available in 2 weeks time. The event will take place at Brierley Hill Civic Hall at 7pm.

5. Feedback from Carers GroupMadeleine said that she had met with Cllr. David Branwood and Brendan to discuss carers’ issues relating to the Independent Living Fund finishing in June 2015. There are 76 people within Dudley who currently receive the Independent Living Fund. The total amount of funds people currently have is 1.3 million which will be transferred to the Local Authority next year. The Council are not committed to spend these funds in the same manner.Assessments were to be completed by the end of last year but these have not yet taken place. Brendan is going to look into this. Brendan said that all people who receive Independent Living Fund will be reviewed and assessments completed. All clients have been notified and Social Workers are arranging visits.

Dudley Voices for Choice will be meeting with MP candidates. Brendan said that everyone should make an effort to speak with the candidate to discuss their issues.

Dave asked regarding the carers grant for the Dudley Carers Forum if this is secure as the membership is expanding due to the Dudley User Forum finishing. Brendan said the carers grant will continue and thoughts about any changes would be discussed.

Mollie said that the views of children and their parents are required and there is a need to give young parents the opportunity to attend Board meetings.

Claire Allen, LD Network Co-ordinator will be meeting Nicola McGregor to discuss services available for people with a learning disability and carers information and how it is shared/advertised.

Brendan said that the Carers Awards event which was held at Insight, Brierley Hill was a good way of getting carers together and sharing information.

Madeleine said that we need to know who the contact LDPB Minutes 12.01.2015 3

person is to receive the right information.Maniza said that Coleen Snape supported many carers within Ehsas over the years giving advice and helping with completing forms she had a good understanding of Asian ladies. Coleen’s role has now changed and support has ceased. Approached Ali Mohammed, Diverse Support for help with benefit forms but it is not his role. Citizen Advice Bureau has no interpreter and no experts in this subject. Brendan said that he will pass on her compliments to Coleen.Julie said that Coleen was allocated to Learning Disability Services but is now part of the central Welfare Benefits Team.Brendan suggested inviting a Welfare Benefits Officer to a meeting.

Dave said that a lady from Dudley Citizens Advice Bureau attended the Dudley Carers Forum to discuss the Carers Disability Advice line, which specialises in advice for carers. Contact details are: Free phone 08080 486486 (9.30am – 4.30pm) Further details via the link belowhttp://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/care-health/dudley-social-services/do-you-need-support-now/social-care-services/benefits-advice/Gilly suggested a volunteer advocate would be more likely to do a visit.

6. Feedback from Providers ForumAnn-Marie said that the last Provider Forum took place on Thursday 25th November 2014.

Steve Phipps, Chief Officer of Headway Black Country attended and discussed Personal Health Budgets. A pilot programme has taken place and it is soon to be rolled out. There are case studies on line as examples. Gilly said that Personal Health budgets are mainly used with children detailing their health needs.

Donna Patel attended and discussed the Customer Journey and the changes to Adult Social Care. Ann-Marie said we need to take a fresh look at our role and who will be coming to our Provider Forums.

LDPB Minutes 12.01.2015 4

7 . Budget Consultation – Paul Benge and Shobha Asar-PaulThe budget consultation presentation was circulated to the members of the Board.

Paul and Shobha went through and discussed in detail the budget presentation and the proposals for reducing the budget.

They asked members of the Board for ideas and suggestions on how to achieve the savings and what is important to them and their priorities.

Paul said that there will be some impact to services due to the savings required.Since 2009/10 the Adult Social Care budget has been reduced by 23 million.Over the next 3 years a further 13 million savings are to be made within Adult Social Care.The Council need to finds an additional 29 million of savings to balance the budget by 2017/18.

The Better Care Fund – The Government are integrating Adult Social Care and Health. Funds are transferred from Clinical Commissioning Group to Adult Social Care. Two payments are guaranteed the other is relating to performance and targets are to be met, which are preventing hospital admissions and attaining earlier discharges.

The Care Act Grant relates to increased support to carers, early assessment of care needs and deferred payments. It is a new responsibility for Local Authority and costs may occur.

The 90+ age group is increasing which will be a pressure for the Council.

Proposal for savings Assertive reviews on existing care and support packages. Julie said this will mainly be high level needs and high cost placements and not just for learning disability clients but physical disability and mental health clients. We will be looking at alternative services/models. We will look at who is responsible for the placement and

LDPB Minutes 12.01.2015 5

will be negotiating with health for funding. The review will include information and views from professionals and parents/carers, key questions will be asked. It will be an in depth process and will not be completed in isolation.

Alex asked once a review has taken place, will another one take place in the future. Paul said he could not say this would not happen due to further savings to be made in future years.

Queens Cross - Gilly asked is centre service users consulted regarding the proposed savings, Paul said yes, we will use the centres as a resource, and there will be no drastic change to the client group. The client will take leadership of their life.

Unicorn - Julie said we want to open the centre up to more people, looking at an alternative model. It is currently a restricted service. Gilly said that surveys have been completed. Alex asked if there would be staffing savings, Paul said that there will be as people will access the resource with their personal assistant.Dave asked if the figures were available for the overall running costs of the Unicorn. Brendan said it is approximately over a million, Brendan to forward Unicorn’s costing list to Dave.

EPlus – Refocus the service and make better links with other related agencies such as the Job Centre, Connexions and Colleges, etc. These agencies have a responsibility for people with learning disabilities.

Budget consultations are taking place, which Shobha and Paul are presenting. Madeleine said that she has been invited to a budget consultation on 23rd January at the Council House.

A budget consultation survey is available on the Council’s website for the public to complete. Dave said that a glossary is required, as abbreviations/headings would not be familiar with the general public. Shobha said she will make sure the public have the correct information.

LDPB Minutes 12.01.2015 6

8. Self Assessment Framework (SAF) – Julie CoxThe Self Assessment Framework summary list key areas

and can be amended accordingly. Sue to circulate the summary document and Carers survey to members

of the Board.

9. LD Partnership Terms of Reference/Membership including Sub GroupsTo be deferred to the next meeting.Sue to circulate Terms of Reference to members of

the Board.

10. Easy Read Minutes Dudley Voices for Choice have agreed to do an easy read version of the Learning Disability Partnership Board

minutes. The first easy read version minutes was of Monday 10th

November 2014 which was circulated to the Board.

Brendan asked Sue to send both versions of the minutes and the agenda together.

11. Bubb ReportThe Bubb report was circulated to members of the Board.

Brendan said that Sir Stephen Bubb with the help from his steering group published the report following Winterbourne View events. It sets out recommendations and the need for change. It is an important document and it is to be shared and discussed with others.

People are to be discharged from hosptial more quickly and safely as possible.Gilly said that she is not aware of a group who meet with inpatients to obtain their views on the treatment and service they have received.Julie said we do keep a register of all clients in assessment and treatment beds and report back to NHS England on a weekly basis. Case and Treatment reviews and discharge plans are completed and independent reviews take place. The Board receives a quarterly update.

LDPB Minutes 12.01.2015 7

Dudley Voices for Choice are involved with the clients and a set of questions are asked.4 people are currently registered on the Winterbourne View list and aactively working with them, not all are based at Ridge Hill some people are located in the surrounding areas.Julie recommended a NHS England document ‘Getting it right for people with learning disabilities’ please view via link below

http://www.england.nhs.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2014/10/getting-it-right-people-learning-disabilities.pdf

12. Early Intervention for children with learning disabilities whose behaviours challenge.A briefing paper published by The Challenging Behaviour Foundation sets out the evidence currently available around early intervention approaches for children with learning disabilities whose behaviour challenge.Sue to circulate the document to members of the Board.

10. Any Other Business Safeguarding Information

Brendan said this was relating to the word ‘Safeguarding’ which has already been discussed under ‘matters arising’.

Request to change the meeting day of the Learning Disability Partnership BoardDue to an internal weekly senior management meeting changing from a Wednesday to a Monday, members were asked if the meeting day could be changed. Members had limited availability and Wednesdays were not possible. Brendan will take their comments back for consideration.

11. Date, Time and Venue of Next Meeting

Monday 9th March 2014, 1.30pm – 3.30pm at Insight House, Pearson Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3BL

If any parties disagree with any of the above minutes please contact the sender.

LDPB Minutes 12.01.2015 8

Sender Susan Bradley

Tel 01384 813291

Fax 01384 813502

E-mail Susan.Bradley@dudley.gov.uk

LDPB Minutes 12.01.2015 9