The Strategic Director, Health and Wellbeing will submit Document “AE” which outlines the new approach to the delivery of welfare advice services across the district. It includes the details of commissioning processes employed; new service expectations; who the providers are; the transformation of access routes and the intention to raise service quality.             

Recommended-

(1)          That the report and its contents be noted; allowing time for the new services to embed and commence their change programmes.

(2)       That services be encouraged to work closely with their ward members and to ensure service access data is up to date for a wide range of stakeholders and referrers.

                        (Sarah Possingham/Julie Robinson-Joyce – 01274 431319/434143)

Resolved –

(1)          That the report and its contents be noted; allowing time for the new services to embed and commence their change programmes.

(2)       That services be encouraged to work closely with their ward members and to ensure service access data is up to date for a wide range of stakeholders and referrers.

(Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

                        (Sarah Possingham/Julie Robinson-Joyce – 01274 431319/434143)

The Strategic Director, Health and Wellbeing submitted Document “AE” which outlined the new approach to the delivery of welfare advice services across the district. It included the details of commissioning processes employed; new service expectations; who the providers were; the transformation of access routes and the intention to raise service quality.

The Senior Public Health Manager gave a summary of the report and introduced representatives from provider organisations (Citizens Advice Bradford and Airedale and Law Centre and Equality Together) that would be delivering welfare advice services within the Keighley constituency.  She tabled two documents which detailed sessional information in relation to Welfare Advice Provision and Complex Needs Welfare Advice Provision specific to the Keighley Constituency.

It was reported that, following a  procurement process and budget reductions, the Citizens Advice Bradford and Airedale and Law Centre had been awarded the contract to provide welfare advice in the Airedale area which covered the Keighley and Shipley constituencies.  There had previously been 23 providers funded to deliver welfare advice across the district and this had been reduced to four lead agencies following procurement.  Equality Together were providing complex needs welfare advice district-wide.  Both contracts had started on 16 January 2017 and a formal launch was planned for June 2017.  An information sheet was tabled listing the drop in sessions and locations.  It was stressed that the commissioned organisations were now entering a process of change in order to deliver services differently as specified in the transformational contract.

In response to Members’ questions, it was reported that:

·         The sessions and appointment hours listed on the circulated information were per week.

·         Early intervention was key therefore the number of sessions held within the mental health unit at Airedale Hospital were considered appropriate.

·         Access to appointments were via direct referrals from professionals and self-referral.

·         Monthly outreach sessions would be held in Ilkley and these could be extended across the constituency.

·         Service providers were keen to look at alternative venues to hold sessions other than at the Sangat Community Centre.

A Member suggested links be made with the Willows Independent Hospital in Steeton to consider holding sessions there.

A Member requested that Appendix 1 be recirculated to Members as the contact information was not printed clearly.

Resolved –

(1)          That the report and its contents be noted; allowing time for the new services to embed and commence their change programmes.

(2)       That services be encouraged to work closely with their ward members and to ensure service access data is up to date for a wide range of stakeholders and referrers.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate

Action: Strategic Director, Environment and Sport