Agenda item

17.1     The interim Independent Chair East Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board introduced the report and gave a short presentation on the work of the Safeguarding Adults Board for 2022-2023 and the Strategic Plan 2021-2024. The Committee discussed the contents of the presentation and report.

17.2     The Committee asked questions and made comments on the following areas:

·         Mental Capacity Act – The Committee asked the Chair to comment on implications on funding with the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act. The Chair replied that any health organisation is obliged to operate under the new legislation and undertake mental capacity assessments. The Director of Adult Social Care and Health added that all practitioners were making assessments about clients’ mental capacity, and it was part of the core offer.

·         Safeguarding around fraud/financial abuse – The Committee asked about the risks of fraud with the increase of digital provision. The Chair noted that fraud was a complex national issue with sophisticated, quick changing technology so it was important that all organisations had checks and balances in place. From a safeguarding perspective, the Chair said that it was important to highlight these risks and that national campaigns were helpful in raising awareness of fraud and scams in the community. The Director of Adult Social Care and Health informed the Board that over half of victims of fraud were over 75 years of age but there was ongoing work to address this including through Trading Standards, who run targeted promotions, and work with the Police. The Committee asked about how the Mental Capacity Act addressed risks of financial abuse, especially for older people. The Director of Adult Social Care and Health replied that the Department had raised awareness of this with partner agencies, but this issue mainly arose during financial care assessments which would identify any concerns around people being able to make informed decisions, or any potential financial abuse within families. 

·         Private care homes – The Committee asked about data showing higher incidents of abuse in private care homes. In response the Chair told the Committee that there was very little own care provision within local authorities, most care was contracted out, and people had a choice on where they purchased care. The Chair noted that the local authority played a key role in preventing people from needing to go into care where possible, but there was a strong provider market promoting good care, and who worked positively with the Safeguarding Adults Board. Where there were safeguarding concerns, the Commissioner was responsible for addressing these with the Board. The Director of Adult Social Care and Health confirmed that the majority of care was purchased from independent care homes which was a regulated service and there were no care homes rated ‘inadequate’ in East Sussex. 

·         Transition – The Committee asked what age the Department would start looking at the transition of Care. The Chair responded by clarifying that from the age of 14 there would be planning with young people in Children’s Services who required support as adults, but there were also families not identified with Children’s Services who presented with support needs later on. The Chair also noted the tension for professionals to make right decisions at the right time as support needs could change. The Director of Adult Social Care and Health noted that transition was something the Department had identified as an area to improve on, including identifying the right support at the right time. He also informed the Board that the transition age for people with substance misuse had increased to improve support and outcomes.

17.3     Committee thanked the interim Independent Chair East Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board for their work and RESOLVED to note the report.