The Adults & Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the impact of the redesigned Adult Social Care front door, and to determine the topic for the next scrutiny meeting. The committee reviewed the information provided and agreed to focus the next meeting on major third sector grants.

Adult Social Care: Flow Through the System

The committee received an update on the impact of the redesigned front door to Adult Social Care, specifically the Information, Advice & Assistance (IAA) hub and the Integrated Reablement (IR) service. The Public Reports Pack included a report on Adult Social Care: Flow Through the System, which aimed to update the committee on how the IAA is managing the flow through the adult social care system, and to share the principles of the second phase of Adult Services Redesign, which includes a different approach to care management.

The report highlighted that the IAA and IR services, operational since April 2024, are beginning to positively influence social care systems and improve outcomes for individuals. The council's Early Intervention and Prevention (EIP) Hub is also now operational, providing another resource for residents to meet their needs within their communities.

As a result of these changes, Adult Services is reconfiguring its long-term teams to ensure they are equipped to meet future needs. The last review of Adult Services was in 2015/2016 to meet the requirements of the Social Services Wellbeing Act (Wales) 2014.

Key findings

• IAA Impact: In the first quarter of 2025/26, the IAA Team completed 385 contact assessments. Of these, 91 (24%) were requests related to hospital discharge, while 294 (76%) originated from individuals within the community.
• Referrals: 47% of these contact assessments were resolved with Information, Advice and Assistance only, directing individuals to community or preventative services or their personal support networks. The council's goal is a 60% IAA only response rate.
• Dual Nature of Work: The IAA Team balances the immediate needs of those leaving hospital with the complex requirements of individuals needing support to live independently in the community.
• Referrals to Care Management Teams: 24% of IAA Team contacts were referred to an Adult Services Care Management Team for a more detailed assessment.

Proposed Redesign of Long-Term Care Teams

The report identified that the introduction of IAA and IR services has changed the social care system, impacting the longer-term teams. The teams are smaller with less resources, and resilience within the patch teams to cover absences has been reduced.

The redesign aims to increase sustainability and resilience by creating efficient and effective teams that can adapt to meet the needs of Torfaen citizens now and in the future. The teams should:

• Align with Community Council Boundaries.
• Account for community need and demand.
• Support people with long-term care and support needs with the statutory care and support, enabling people to also access community and prevention/early intervention services.
• Focus on interventions that reduce the need for a crisis response.
• Be proactive, with minimum access to community support as part of a holistic offer, rather than reactive care management.
• Have a meaningful and measurable impact on the Marmot Principles and County Plan.
• Utilise existing resources to realise the redesign.

The redesign will also enable Adult Services to mitigate some of the impact of the withdrawal of the Regional Integrated Fund (RIF) monies, which is due to cease on 31 March 2027. The relevant element of the RIF received is £378,000 funding that contributes towards the North Torfaen Wellbeing Team.

New Multi-Disciplinary Team

The redesign provides an opportunity to develop a new team, using a multi-disciplinary approach to support individuals experiencing life stage transition, especially those with neurodivergence¹, linked to strengths-based practice. This team would:

1. Address gaps in existing service
2. Support smooth transitions
3. Promote person-centred and strengths-based practice
4. Reduce escalation and crisis
5. Align with national policy and inclusion goals
6. Demonstrate the council has listened to citizens.

The team would support all young people in transition to adulthood who need multi-agency input, as well as adults struggling with any life transition. The focus of the interventions will be around finding non-statutory solutions, working in a person-centred way with the individuals referred.

Consultation

The following have been engaged and/or consulted as part of the initial design scope:

1. Team Leads of the Long-Term Care Teams
2. Accountancy
3. Head of Adult Service and Commissioning
4. Strategic Director
5. Organisational Development
6. Members of the Adults and Communities Delivery Board

Prior to commencing the scoping of the redesign, the council engaged with individuals, families and carers going through transition on what matters to them. Which resulted in these themes:

• Individuals Being Understood as Unique Individuals
• Consistency Across Life Stages
• Accessible Information and Support
• Voice and Influence
• Routine, Safety, and Emotional Wellbeing
• Families & Carers Navigating Complex Systems
• Being Informed and Included
• Reducing Stress and Duplication

Implications and Actions

The redesign is being completed without the requirement for any additional resources, and will help to mitigate the financial pressures caused by the conclusion of the Regional Integration Fund in 2026/27.

Following the meeting, the council will secure project management support to progress with a more detailed structure for the redesigned system, and create a project plan with timelines and milestones, with an implementation date of April 2026.

Item for Next Meeting

The committee considered potential topics for the next meeting, with the Draft Item for Next Scrutiny Report outlining the basket of items selected at the visioning session, the Executive Forward Plan, and Audit Committee referrals.

The committee agreed to focus the next meeting on major third sector grants, specifically whether the recommendations for redesign of the Third Sector Major Grants system effectively align to the Advice, Assistance & Prevention requirements in each of our communities.