Purpose

The report outlines intention to terminate the current s75 with SLaM and support the implementation of a proposed Mental Health Social Care Target Operating Model (MH TOM)

Decision

For the reasons set out in the report and Part B appendices, the Executive Mayor AGREED:

1. 1.1         To agree the termination of the current s75 integrated mental health service.
2. 1.2         To agree the implementation of a proposed Mental Health Social Care Service.

Reasons for the decision

The reviews carried out over the past two years indicate that statutory duties under the key social care legislation, (Care Act, Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act), are not being delivered consistently.

SLaM is currently also going through a restructure that does not include provision for statutory social care activity in future.

The current application of secondary mental health eligibility criteria is inequitable with the wider ASCH criteria which is dictated by the Care Act 2014. A distinct social care service will allow improved adherence to the statutory duty to provide information, advice and guidance with a focus on prevention and health and wellbeing of the resident, providing early intervention, and reduction of crisis intervention.

Previously, the majority of mental health activity was recorded on the SLaM system, Electronic Patient Journey System (EPJS); this prevented full management reporting and oversight. The implementation of the distinct social care service for mental health will allow full transfer of record keeping to the council record system which will provide management reporting in line with the full ASCH directorate.

Alternative options considered

Agree the proposed changes to the delivery of adult social care within mental health services, specifically, to withdraw from the S75 agreement, and implement a distinct Mental Health Social Care Service – recommended.

Retain Social Care in teams to provide both Health and Social Care functions line managed by SLAM while the rest of Health Staff provide Health Functions only – not recommended.

Do Nothing – not recommended.