Decision details

The Board will be provided with an update, for information only,  regarding the future configuration of mental health social work services in Barking and Dagenham.

The Board noted a report into the outcome of a review into the provision of adult mental health services in Barking and Dagenham that was commissioned in the light of correspondence from the Chief Social Worker for Adults, seeking assurances that the appropriate statutory duties around adult mental health services were being satisfactory discharged.

Whilst recognising examples of good practice the review highlighted areas of immediate concerns around compliance with safeguarding procedures, the stability of parts of the workforce and some limitations with the Care Act compliance of the service.

Changes are taking place in the way the Council and its health partners are approaching integrated services within the framework of the BHR Integrated Care Partnership. This together with the introduction of the new Community Solutions service for initial access to social care alongside a range of other frontline services as well as current work looking at the future employment and vocational support for this service user group, has provided the opportunity to re-evaluate the place of mental health social care services in this new emerging landscape. 

In the light of the review and the above factors the Statutory Director of Adult Social Services has taken the decision to reinstate a direct management relationship with mental health care services with effect from 1 October 2017. A temporary six month extension arrangement with NELF is presently being negotiated to maintain the service for the delivery of the integrated service.