The Board considered a report providing an update on activities undertaken in relation to Occombe House since September 2011.  The Board was advised that best interest meetings for six of the residents had taken place and that it was certain that a number of the residents would live together in supported living.  The Board was informed that the preferred option was for residents to move into tailored and redesigned services as supported living on the Occombe site and that a second option was to move into supported living in the locality.

The Board was advised that by the end of January 2012 it was envisaged that there would be a preferred provider to project manage the change from residential care to supported living.

Board members remarked on the progress achieved since the Chief Executive Officer, Torbay Care Trust, had taken the lead on the service change.

Resolved: that once a service provider to manage the change from residential to supported living for the residents of Occombe House had been identified an update report be submitted to the Health Scrutiny Board.

The Board considered a report providing an update on the commissioning of short breaks for children and young with complex needs arising from disability.  The Board was advised that all the families that currently used the John Parkes Unit had been written to and asked to indicate if they wished to explore the potential of securing a short-breaks provider within the catchment area of Torbay Hospital, through the use of their personal budgets.  The Board was informed that four families had replied and indicated they wished  to participate in the personal budget work.  The Board was advised that officers had met with the four families on three occasions and two providers had expressed interest in working with the families.

In response to questions, the Board was informed that indicative allocations of personal budgets would be based on existing needs and usage rather than a Resource Allocation System.  The Board was informed that both potential providers would require Care Quality Commission registration.

Resolved: that an update report be submitted to the Health Scrutiny Board once a short-breaks provider within the catchment area of Torbay Hospital was secured for families that access the John Parkes Unit.