The Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee of West Northamptonshire Council met on Monday, 24 June 2024, to discuss several key issues, including the performance of safeguarding and complaints, supported living arrangements, and support for unpaid carers. Decisions were made to enhance the support for unpaid carers and to review the current supported living services.

Safeguarding and Complaints Performance Report

The committee reviewed the Safeguarding and Complaints Performance Report. The report highlighted an increase in safeguarding referrals and complaints over the past year. Councillors discussed the need for improved training for staff to handle these cases more effectively. One councillor noted, The rise in complaints indicates a need for better communication and transparency in our processes ¹.

Supported Living

The committee examined the current state of supported living services through the Supported Living Overview and Scrutiny Committee Report. The discussion focused on the quality of care provided and the availability of supported living spaces. It was decided that a comprehensive review of the supported living services would be conducted to identify areas for improvement. The review aims to ensure that residents receive high-quality care and that there are sufficient supported living spaces to meet demand.

Support for Unpaid Carers

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Support for Unpaid Carers Task and Finish Panel Final Draft Report. The report outlined the challenges faced by unpaid carers in West Northamptonshire and proposed several recommendations to support them better. The committee decided to adopt the recommendations, which include providing more respite care options and increasing financial support for unpaid carers. One councillor remarked, Unpaid carers are the backbone of our community, and it is essential that we provide them with the support they need ¹.