14/12/2011 - Permalink

Cabinet hears how feedback is shaping adult social care plans

Related topics: Community / Health

Shropshire Council’s Cabinet today (Wednesday 14 December 2011) heard how the views of people from across the county are shaping the future of adult social care. 

Councillors discussed the plans going forward, following the biggest consultation on adult social care in the history of the county.  The consultation was undertaken from July to September 2011 to look at how the council can deliver the best care possible through a variety of tailored services, developed by the people who use them, their carers, supporters, families and friends. 

During the consultation more than 600 people took part in events and discussions, resulting in a wealth of information and data that fed into the creation of a new strategy for adult social care which was agreed by Cabinet on 19 October 2011. 

Significant key messages emerged from the consultation on the areas that are the most important to the people who use or come into contact with adult social care services.  These included supporting the individual rather than being service-focused, modernising the approach to how daytime support is provided, and more use of technology to assist people in remaining independent. 

Cabinet today approved the Adult Social Care Strategy Implementation and Action Plan, which looks to ensure that the changes asked for are put into place. 

Actions in the plan include: 

  • Linking community transport schemes throughout the county
  • Investigating opportunities to create a digital TV channel for adult social care
  • Greater use of assistive technology – which can be anything from a medication dispenser or electronic memory aid to a whole-house alarm monitoring system
  • Working with partners to develop a network of ‘First Click Friends’ to support vulnerable people to access IT
  • Reviewing more flexible ways of working in daycare which enhance opportunities and provide more personalised support
  • Social care roadshows to provide information on adult social care services and voluntary groups.

Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for adult social care, said:

“Cabinet today agreed the action and implementation plan, which is part of the wider work of the council to ensure that services are being delivered in the best way possible. 

“Adult social care services have not developed and modernised over the past few decades at the pace required by people’s changing needs.  However, this work helps to address this, and make sure that the most vulnerable members of our community can lead the lives they wish to lead.

“The strategy and plan put people at the centre of how they receive their support.  It places the focus on empowering people to choose services tailored to them – and during the consultation this is what people told us they wanted. 

“The aims of the plan include enabling people to live independent, fulfilling lives; ensuring each person is treated as an individual; ensuring information about services is easily available; and working more effectively with our partners.

“We today agreed moving forward with innovative new ways of offering services which fulfil these aims, and also enable us to be more efficient by ensuring that money is spent where it can have the greatest impact.”

For more information on adult social care services provided by Shropshire Council go to www.shropshire.gov.uk