Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services.

The Board received a report from the Executive Director, Community and Children’s Services in respect of The Better Care Fund (BCF) programme.

Officers advised the Board that the template listed in the report set out the allocation of funding for 2024-2025 noting that the amount of funding had increased, however money had been carried over from the Disabled Facilities Grant from the previous year. There were no major changes made to schemes outlined in the BCF, however there were several alterations made with a focus on hospital discharges. The Chair raised a question in relation to hospital discharges. Officers advised the Board that very good performances were shown in this area.

Regarding acute hospitals within the City’s boundaries, Members were keen to know if there were any concerns surrounding demanding capacity and which parties were responsible for a patient’s discharge. Officers confirmed that it was a joint effort involving both the City Corporation and the relevant hospital, however if a City resident needed ongoing social care following a discharge, then it would be City Corporation’s responsibility to provide this. The Executive Director further advised the Board that it was a well-established protocol for acute hospitals to reach across boundaries to support patients.

In terms of placed-based partnerships, such as the City and Shoreditch Park neighbourhood, discussions had been held to identify what options were available to provide more services (such as SEND and Community Nursing) within the City boundaries since officers identified the difficulty for some City residents to travel long distances to receive such services. Feedback mechanisms within adult social care had strengthened and this provided opportunities for further improvement for service delivery.

The Chair raised a question in relation to carers and wanted to know if assistance was being provided to those who were registered as carers. Officers highlighted that although some carers mentioned within the census may choose not to take the option of support, the Carer’s Service had recently been recommissioned for a further three years with their specification being to promote the services available to carers providing both support and advice in relation to carer’s rights.

RESOLVED, that – Members of the Board approve the revised City of London Better Care Fund Plans 2024–25.