Issue - meetings

34.1     The Committee considered a report outlining the ASC role in providing care into prisons (specifically HMP Lewes) arising from the Care Act 2014, and the volume and nature of activity this had generated.

34.2     The following points were made in response to questions:

·         Assessments (needs and financial) are undertaken on the same basis as for any other resident of the county.

·         Referrals come from prison staff who identify potential social care needs – these often relate to mobility issues. ASC responds to the demand as required.

·         Social care assessment would identify any mental health or learning disability needs. Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust also provides mental health services into the prison. Care and support plans are pulled together on a multi-disciplinary basis with input from a range of services.

·         Issues with prisoners not being available when staff arrive to provide care or other operational issues are raised via prison management as this is not a good use of staff time.

·         The care packages currently provided could be delivered by an independent sector domiciliary care provider but it is a challenging role for staff and there has not been interest from the independent sector thus far. A cohort of staff in the Joint Community Rehabilitation Team have been through the necessary procedures to gain access to the prison and appointments are rotated amongst this staff group.

34.3     RESOLVED:

(1)  Note the report on services to prisons.

(2)  Accept the report as a final update on services to prisons activity, noting that the activity will continue to be monitored and reported to the Committee on an exception basis.