To receive a presentation on the submitted Multiple Complex Needs (MCN) Alliance Review Report. 

The Public Health Consultant – Bruce Bell, the Head of Housing Need, Lianne Hancock, Torbay Domestic Abuse Service Manager – Claudia O’Neill and the General Manager for Public Health Services at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust – Simon Acton provided an overview of the submitted Multiple Complex Needs (MCN) Alliance Review Report and responded to questions from Members. 

The Board raised the following questions:

·         was the Alliance working as well as it could be to benefit local residents;

·         when residents were allocated accommodation in safe houses, would this be considered temporary accommodation;

·         how much work was carried out by the Alliance with other local organisations and voluntary groups for example ‘Unleashed’ charity;

·         had the closure of the Haven affected the numbers of residents staying in accommodation at the hostel; and

·         how often were meetings held by the three services that constitute the Alliance.

The following responses were provided:

·         the hostel located at Factory Row forms part of the single homelessness pathway, supporting a holistic assessment approach.  The hostel benefits from co-location of services, enabling streamlined support and strong links with drug and alcohol services. The facility was well-regarded, though its location may need review.  The Alliance was functioning effectively, with joined-up working ensuring that individuals only need to tell their story once, enhancing continuity and quality of care;

·         safe houses allocated were classed as temporary accommodation but were allocated as a higher priority;

·         Torbay Domestic Abuse Service works effectively with a range of voluntary organisations, demonstrating strong partnership working. While it had not partnered with Unleashed, the Factory Row Hostel Service had.  The Alliance comprises three core services, but also collaborates with wider organisations.  Work was currently underway to establish governance structures, which would support the integration of additional partners moving forward into the Alliance;

·         the closure of the Haven had resulted in increased use of the facilities located at the Factory Row Hostel; and

·         the three services meet regularly through monthly strategic group meetings and a joint operational group, which includes service managers.  There have been numerous meetings held, and working relationships are strong.  The benefits of partnership working at an operational level between staff were becoming evident, however more work was needed to demonstrate the transformational requirements of the Alliance Agreement and the resultant benefits for people who engage with the Alliance.  It had been identified that there was a need to better implement, articulate and capture these outcomes.  With a clear strategy now in place and implementation underway, there was optimism that the expected improvements will be realised.

Resolved (unanimously):

1.    that the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board notes the Multiple Complex Needs (MCN) Alliance Review report;

2.    that the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board recognise the variance in key process metrics across service in Growth In Action (GiA) and the need for improvement where decline had been noted;

3.    that the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board note that assurance would be sought over the upcoming year to ensure that that the implementation plans for GiA are achieving the strategic aims and milestones as requested and the necessary internal mechanisms, forums and capability are in place to improve performance and quality of service; and

4.    that the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board request that a deep dive into the drug and alcohol service commissioned by Torbay Council is completed and a report to be presented at a future Sub-Board meeting.