To review the Adult Social Care Transformation Programme and new ways of working for 2026/2027.

The Sub?Board received a presentation from the Director of Adult and Community Services, Anna Coles, as set out in the submitted document outlining the Adult Social Care Transformation Programme, including planned changes to governance, systems and delivery, who also responded to questions together with the Divisional Director of Adult Social Care, Gary Patch and the Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, Councillor Tranter.

The Transformation Programme focussed on the following four key areas:

·                     safe transition/due diligence;

·                     transformation;

·                     improvement/assurance; and

·                     cost recovery.

Members asked the following questions:

·                     What are the risks to successful delivery of the transition from Section 75 arrangements?

·                     Is there agreement between the Council and NHS Trust on the work required and delivery timescales?

·                     How confident are officers that sufficient resources and capacity are in place to deliver the programme?

·                     What impact is the transition having on workforce stability, including recruitment and sickness levels?

·                     How will hospital discharge arrangements operate under the new system?

·                     Are current processes ensuring that individuals are placed in the most appropriate care settings?

·                     How will the Council ensure readiness for future Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections?

·                     What governance arrangements are in place to oversee delivery of the transformation programme?

·                     Is there clarity on roles and responsibilities between health and social care services going forward?

·                     What can Members do to support successful delivery of the programme?

The following responses were provided:

·                     Key risks include workforce uncertainty, service disruption and the complexity of disentangling long?standing integrated arrangements; these are being managed through structured programme governance.

·                     Joint governance arrangements are in place between the Council and the NHS Trust, including a Programme Board with representation from both organisations to oversee delivery.

·                     Significant additional resources have been mobilised; however, the scale of the programme means prioritisation is essential and some transformation ambitions may need to be phased.

·                     Workforce challenges include increased uncertainty, higher sickness levels and recruitment pressures linked to the transition.

·                     Hospital discharge processes are under review, with consideration being given to different models and how responsibilities will operate in the future.  Work is underway to review existing processes and ensure that individuals are supported to access the most appropriate care options.

·                     Preparation for future CQC inspection is ongoing, with a focus on assurance, performance data and demonstrating system awareness and improvement.  A formal programme structure has been established, including leadership oversight, defined workstreams and regular reporting arrangements.

·                     Work is ongoing to define clear roles and responsibilities between organisations following the end of Section 75 arrangements.

·                     Continued cross?party support from Members was identified as important to maintaining momentum and providing stability during the transition.

Resolved (unanimously):

1.         that the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board receive quarterly updates on the Torbay Adult Social Care Transformation Programme; and

2.         that the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board request that Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust attend a future meeting to seek assurances that the Trust understand the complexity and have the Transition Team in place to manage the transfer to the Council within the proposed time frame.