Agenda and minutes

The Committee noted the evacuation and housekeeping procedure.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 8 July 2024

AGREED the minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2024 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive evidence from Council Officers as part of the Scrutiny Review of Disabled Facilities Grant

The Committee received a presentation from the Occupational Therapy (OT) Team Manager. The presentation covered:

• SBC OT Service overview and missions statement
• Legal Duties
• OT provisions and process
• The impact on health and wellbeing and measuring success
• Effects of long waiting lists and non-provision, including the financial impact
• Demand on service

Key issues discussed included:

• The OT assessments mainly took place in a person’s home, although they could take place in residential care setting, day care settings and local prison too.
• Comparisons from before and after the person came to the OT service were made to measure the impact of OT interventions on their personalised outcomes.
• Reduction in the cost of the care package was being achieved by in-depth review of such care packages by the OT assessor. However, the main objective of undertaking a review of the care package was to make this personalised and less intrusive e.g. tailored to the individual.
• The OT service worked with Tees Valley Home Finder and Registered Housing Providers to ensure those on the housing register were applying for housing that met their needs. A long term implication of non or delay in provision of DFG’s included the need for re-housing and the shortage of housing and difficulty in finding suitable properties for a persons need was noted.
• Members questioned whether, following an extension built via DFG, a person could apply again for another DFG if their family expanded, or they moved properties. Officers explained that the design of extensions and/or adaptations had to meet the need of the person and they could apply again if their needs changed.
• It was questioned whether arrangements were in place to return small items people may require on short term basis such as crutches, and while this was not the responsibility of officers at the meeting they were aware that there was a system in place for returning these.
• Discussion took place regarding the design of new housing and ensuring that these were built to meet the needs of older people, which would ensure they did not require as many adaptations in future. It was noted that this would be a planning issue and changes would have to be made with the planning process. However, there were regulations regarding the placing of plug sockets and door widths.
• It was noted that the OT would put short term measures in place immediately to assist the person while there were awaiting a DFG.
• Members questioned the reason for the increase in demand for OT services and informed that the team had improved how they promoted their services and became more accessible. Additionally, they had built good working relationships with Tees Valley Homefinder, Thirteen, and care services therefore received more referrals.
• The financial impact for waiting for adaptation was noted, and Officers explained that the cost for a day in hospital was approximate. It was questioned why someone would spend one day in hospital and explained that this would be an extra day stay in hospital which may be  ...  view the full minutes text for item PEO/26/24

Consideration was given to the Work Programme.

The next meeting would be held on Monday 7 October 2024.

AGREED that the Work Programme be noted.