Delivering the Transformation of Social Care in Plymouth

Posted on 23rd Oct

Julia Penfound, Head of Service, Community Services (Adult Social Care), was the speaker at Plymouth Guilds AGM at the beginning of October. She spoke about the changing population and quoted an Age Concern report from 2004 which noted that, “There are now 17 million baby boomers marching towards retirement with a high set of demands and a clear expectation of what they want in retirement....” and confessed to being a “baby boomer” herself. The facts and figures she quoted made a compelling argument for the far reaching changes in the way that care services will be provide in the future across the country and in Plymouth.
Julie outlined four policy drivers that are impacting on service development, Population, Expectations, Technology and Economy and gave some thought provoking facts in her presentation, including:
• The number of those aged over 65 will increase by almost a third by the year 2020
• There will be an increase of 2.9 million people with disabilities to 8.6 million by 2040
• It is expected that 1.7 million more people will require care and support in 20 years
• An average 70 year old has illiquid assets of £215,000 in 2005 compared to £88,000 in 1995
• In 2004 people 60+ owned £932 billion in equity on homes
Presumably these figures predate the credit crunch which gives concern about the future funding of health and social care. (Editors note)
Turning to Plymouth, Julie outlined the vision for transforming services in the city, including:

• A move away from Residential Care
• Modernising Day Services
• Increasing Choice and Control of service users
• A greater Focus on Prevention
• Integration of services
• Working in Partnership as the best way forward

What does all this mean for the Guild and its services?
Julia said “The Guild is seen as a key strategic partner and over the last 12 months working relations have been strengthened. This has been through the development of a good range of preventative services and the engagement of the Disability Action Network (DAN), which is based at the Guild. Social services and the Social inclusion unit at the City Council, the PCT and the NHS Hospitals Trust are funding the Guilds Disability Engagement Worker.
New Services being developed in partnership include:

• Care Navigators for people who need support to access services
• Insight Course for people with visual impairments
• User Development Work
• Ask SARA pilot site, self assessment for equipment support needs

Areas for future consideration and development will be around Centres for Independent Living, the Retail Model and greater development of User Led Organisations in the city.
Meeting the needs of those who need social and health services now and in the future is going to be challenging, but Julia believes that Plymouth is well placed to build on a lot of good work already taking place at he Guild and in other organisations in the city.

To see the Power Point slides of the whole presentation please click here