To understand commissioning arrangements for adult mental health services and scrutinise how Shropshire Council works with health service partners to provide support to patients, report to follow.

Two Service Managers, Adult Social Care, provided an overview of Shropshire Council’s adult mental health services. They outlined the service’s social work and housing strands, explained working arrangements with health partners such as the NHS, described the challenges in securing permanent supported living, outlined the statutory responsibility of the Council, provided detail about working with drug and alcohol support services and gave examples of case studies. The Committee noted that mental health social work formed an integral part of a multi-agency team around both the person and the family.

Information was provided on current data regarding individuals looking for Supported Living Accommodation with 52 individuals on Shropshire’s waiting list. An update was given on the development of a property portfolio platform to capture and hold information on all Supported Living schemes in Shropshire including future developments and proposed schemes. Information would also be shared with developers in order to support their potential investments.

Responding to Members’ questions, the following information was provided:

·         Accommodation was adapted, where possible, for those with mental health needs, learning difficulties or autism but it was acknowledged that some rent levels were high. Housing would be provided with a registered social landlord for an individual with exempt accommodation status.  Support was provided by a sustained contract and quarterly meetings were held with providers in such cases. 

·         Individuals with a care and support package would raise any concerns with the care provider or the care provider would raise them on behalf of the individual.

·         Referring to drug and alcohol services, Members received assurances that a systematic approach was being developed through the work of a Task and Finish Group to ensure collaborative working between mental health and substance misuse services.

·         Government funding for drug and alcohol services was for 1 year only currently focussing on two key elements – reduction of drug related deaths and issues relating to the Criminal Justice agenda. The Council has tried to improve what it currently provides for example, provision of continuity of care on leaving prison and the strengthening of pathways for women through a residential rehabilitation programme.

·         A partnership approach for the commissioning of drug and alcohol services is preferred and represents the way forward although a local model has yet to be determined.

·         Joint responsibility between the local authority and the CCG to fund an individual is dealt with by a funding panel on a fortnightly basis and additional conversations outside of the panel meetings take place when necessary.

It was agreed that adult mental health and drug and alcohol abuse represented an extensive subject area that would benefit from a more targeted debate in future with both items being worthy of a single item agenda.

The Chairman stated that this was her last meeting as she would not be standing for re-election at the forthcoming local elections.  She thanked the Officers for their support and contribution during her term of office adding that their compassionate approach to their work was evident.  Thanks were also extended to the support staff to this Committee namely the Committee Services Supervisor and the Overview and Scrutiny Officer.