The report of the Executive Director Adult Social Services is enclosed.

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Director Adult Social Services that provided an update on progress in the implementation of outstanding audit recommendations across Adults Services. Over the last three years, Internal Audit have supported the ongoing process of improvement across Adults Services through the performance of audits and assurance reviews focused in areas of risk. Through the annual planning cycle a range of areas for detailed, independent assessment have been agreed and the findings and recommendations from these have informed management action and improvement planning. As a result of this work Internal Audit have issued several limited assurance opinion reports containing high priority audit recommendations. Whilst progress has been made on developing solutions a number of actions have not been fully implemented.

The Executive Director Adult Social Services attended the meeting and introduced the report and provided the Committee with an update on the work ongoing.

The Chair invited the Committee to ask questions and comment on the report.

A member welcomed the report which had provided good progress in view of the pressures on the service through the Covid19 pandemic. Reference was made to reliance on systems such as Microsoft 365 and Liquid Logic but commented that systems could have been in place before these systems were introduced to deal with management supervision and safeguarding to work with existing systems.

It was reported that work was ongoing to make IT systems reliable and managers were ensuring that reporting systems are maintained and recorded onto the systems. From an audit perspective it was noted that IT system should support existing systems and business requirements.

A member referred to the systems used by Adult Services (Liquid Logic) and Mental Health Services (Paris case management system) and asked if there had been any issues regarding the systems in view of the outstanding audit recommendations.

It was reported that the is a level of connectivity between Liquid Logic and Paris with some issues arising from these relatively new systems but work was ongoing to improve practice at ground level and ensure that performance indicators are recorded and maintained with the systems in place support the service.  

A member referred to the disability supported accommodation and the progress on recommendations noting that some recommendations had been outstanding for a considerable length of time. Officers were asked if it would be appropriate to revisit those areas of service rather than extending the time being taken to address them.

It was reported that discussions were ongoing with Adult Services Senior Officers regarding the length of time being taken and whether the recommendations listed were still relevant and appropriate. It was considered that a refocus on the outstanding recommendations would be useful to ensure they remain relevant and helpful to the service. An update would be provided to the Committee at its next meeting in January 2021 to provide an update on where the improvements and changes made had become embedded and there is evidence to demonstrate that. 

The Committee agreed that it was satisfied with the assurance provided on the effectiveness and management of improvement actions provided within the report it had considered. It was also noted that further updates would be helpful to focus on those outstanding recommendations within the report.

Decision

1.    To note the report submitted and the comments made by the Committee.

2.    To note that an update report will be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on outstanding recommendations within areas of Adult Services.