Case Ref: 23 020 508 Category: Adult care services Sub Category: Other

• The Council has agreed to provide evidence of the refresher training referred to in paragraph 18 of the decision statement, and;ensure complaints are properly identified, investigated, and responded to in a timely manner. The Council may wish to refer to the Ombudsman's guidance on good complaint handling.

Case Ref: 23 011 950 Category: Adult care services Sub Category: Other

• The Council agreed to review the changes its community equipment service and community equipment supplier recently made to ensure the changes made were appropriate and effective.
• The Council agreed to review how its community equipment service promotes individual choice when arranging equipment to meet care and support needs. It should ensure the service has effective procedures to meet it, and the Council's responsibilities to promote choice in care planning.
• The Council agreed to review whether its equipment service and community equipment supplier have adequate procedures for recording details of equipment provided and for preventative checks or maintenance on equipment it does not routinely keep in stock.

Case Ref: 22 017 300 Category: Adult care services Sub Category: Assessment and care plan

• The Council should share the outcome of its review (with the Integrated Care Board and Trust) into the local Section 117 policy.
• The Council should review its local policy for Approved Mental Health Providers, to ensure they explore the potential effects of alcohol and drug use during Mental Health Act assessments.

Case Ref: 22 014 431 Category: Planning Sub Category: Planning applications

• The Council acted with fault by failing to properly consult with a statutory consultee on a planning application. The Council has agreed to share the findings of our investigation with relevant officers, reminding them they must seek the views of statutory consultees on relevant planning applications.

Case Ref: 22 013 047 Category: Adult care services Sub Category: Charging

• The Council agreed to review its adult social care non-residential charging policy to ensure it provides clear information about allowances it may apply where someone receives care at night outside their care plan, and how it will calculate this.
• The Council agreed to create guidance for relevant staff about financial assessments for non-residential adult social care to ensure it keeps clear, well organised, and accurate records in line with its procedures for retention and disposal of records. Records will:make clear what has happened when retrospective financial assessments have been completed;include a detailed breakdown of all figures used in financial assessments, including the person’s income and benefits, daily living costs, Disability Related Expenditure (DRE), and the personal budget needed to meet their needs; andrecord all DRE considerations and decisions including full rationale and copies of any contemporaneous evidence considered.
• The Council agreed to create guidance for relevant staff about financial assessments for non-residential adult social care to ensure it:properly communicates any outcomes or changes to the person (or their representative) including the decision rationale and a full breakdown of all relevant figures; andproperly considers challenges to its financial assessment decisions through its review and appeal processes to ensure it applies the required scrutiny when a decision is challenged.

Case Ref: 22 009 724 Category: Adult care services Sub Category: Residential care

• Remind the Home of the importance of person-centred care and adhering to the Falls Procedure.

Case Ref: 22 008 176 Category: Education Sub Category: COVID-19

• The Council will produce guidelines for school admission appeal panel members and clerks about expected standards of conduct during remote hearings.

Case Ref: 21 004 246 Category: Other Categories Sub Category: Other

• • Share this decision with the GRO so it can consider whether it needs to review the information contained in its Registrar’s Handbook.

Case Ref: 20 010 029 Category: Adult care services Sub Category: Charging

• Remind relevant staff of the importance to inform residents of their right of appeal if they disagree with the outcome of the financial assessment.

Case Ref: 20 001 753 Category: Adult care services Sub Category: Other

• The Council and Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will review the case from a safeguarding perspective to identify any learning points. They will write to the complainant with the outcome of the review. This should include explaining any learning identified by the review and any further actions taken.
• The Council will review its Corporate Records Management Policy and Retention Schedule to ensure it allows for the retention, where appropriate, of significant correspondence relating to the registration of a death.