Agenda item

Employment Support for People with Disabilities

Meeting of Cabinet, Monday, 17th October, 2011 6.30 pm (Item 51.)

Decision:

· Resolved that the review findings and the options and recommendations for the future be noted.

and resolved:

a) That the Council implement the policy outlined in this report and the new model of employment support for disabled people.

b) That future provision focuses on supporting people eligible for Adult Social Care services into employment in mainstream settings.

c) That an extended Work Opportunities service for all disabled people of working age eligible for Adult Social Care services be implemented during 2012.

d) That the current Work Opportunities Scheme continue to be provided directly by the Council beyond April 2012 prior to implementation of the new service model.

e) That the proposed future service model is commissioned in line with procurement guidelines and legislation alongside other day opportunities services following consultation and market testing.

f) That the Strategic Director of Community and Wellbeing after consultation with the lead Commissioner be authorised to agree the provider of the new service following the tender process.

g) That the current supported business is determined on 31^st March 2012.

h) That the Council facilitate the termination of the Work Choice contract with Shaw Trust to provide supported employment, with effect from 31^st March 2012.

i) That formal 30 day consultation with affected support staff and workshop operatives and their trade union representatives be undertaken from the end of October to the end of November.

j) That comprehensive support be offered to displaced workshop operatives to assist them in finding alternative employment where possible or other suitable day time activities.

k) That support staff and other Council employees affected will follow existing procedures and processes concerning redeployment and redundancy.

l) That the recommendations from the Health Scrutiny Panel from its meeting on 13^th October 2011 be noted.

m) That the predicted savings of £100,000be ring fenced and used to support those people currently employed at Speedwell Enterprise Service to find alternative employment where possible or other suitable daytime activities, and to provide opportunities for maintaining social contact and support.

n) That the Council proactively seek to promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities within the local business community.

Minutes:

The Cabinet was presented with a report which detailed the proposed new strategy and future approach for the provision of employment support for disabled people. A number of objectives were highlighted to the Cabinet, including; increasing the number of disabled people eligible for Adult Social Care services, providing flexible and tailored support to meet the individual’s need and ensuring that services were effectively targeted to ensure value for money. Amendments to the strategy were intended to reflect national guidance, which recommended that future support be tailored to individual need and focus on open employment settings.

The Cabinet was informed that relatively small numbers of people were benefitting from the service in its current form and it was intended that the scope of the service would be increased to ensure that more people would benefit. The new model would be based upon a Work Opportunities model and would be expanded to cover all areas of disabilities.

The Assistant Director of Personalisation, Commissioning and Partnerships advised the Cabinet that all affected staff working at the Speedwell Enterprise Service, would initially be offered redeployment within the Council where possible. All workshop operatives would be offered additional support between November 2011 and March 2012 to find alternative employment or other suitable activity. It was agreed that the Council would actively promote such opportunities to local businesses via Officers, Members and through the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), in addition to engaging with the Chamber of Commerce. It was also noted that the Shaw Trust and the Job Centre Plus had agreed to provide additional specialist support.

Liam Toner, Chairman of the SBC Employee’s Disability Forum, asked the Cabinet to consider all issues carefully before making their decision with regard to the closure of the Speedwell Service. He stated that in addition to supporting Employees, Speedwell also supported pupils from local schools and colleges. The Cabinet was informed that there was concern that outside employers would not provide adequate opportunities for people with disabilities once Speedwell had been closed. The Chair thanked Members of Speedwell for attending the Meeting and for the constructive manner in which they had put their argument forward.

The Chair of the Health Scrutiny Panel advised the Cabinet that following a site visit to Speedwell and a special meeting on 13^th October 2011, the Panel had resolved to make the following recommendations:

a) The Panel recognise the contribution that Speedwell Enterprises has made to both the town and its service users, and further recognises that Speedwell is more than a typical factory based employment service.

b) The Panel is unanimous in its view that disabled people in Slough, and particularly those eligible for Adult Social Care services, should benefit from support into employment, work experience, skills development or volunteering.

c) The Panel, whilst noting the contribution made by Speedwell, recognises that the current and future needs in Slough call for a revised service, one which is better able to meet and respond to both the volume of need and the specificity of individual cases. As such the Panel recommends a policy shift which sees disabled people being supported into mainstream employment rather than the current model.

d) The Panel believe that this policy shift will help a greater number of vulnerable people in Slough by ensuring greater access to those that are eligible for Adult Social Care.

e) The Panel however also recognise the impact that the closure of Speedwell will have, particularly on long-term users of the service, and seeks reassurance from Cabinet over how these users will be guaranteed support into alternative employment or provisions.

f) The Panel also recognises the social importance and value that users place on Speedwell and also urge the Cabinet to look into ensuring social provisions are maintained and expanded.

Cabinet agreed to note the recommendations made by the Health Scrutiny Panel.

A number of Rule 30 Members addressed the Cabinet and asked a number of questions which were responded to. In response to a question, it was stated that the Policy was not being revised for cost saving purposes nor was it as a result of the Council’s intention to develop or sell the land that the service was provided from. It was agreed that the anticipated savings of £100,000 in year one be ring fenced and used to support those people currently employed at Speedwell Enterprise Service to find alternative employment where possible or other suitable daytime activities.

After significant discussions, it was agreed that the proposal would be supported as it was intended that the new model of employment support for disabled people would benefit increased numbers. The Cabinet appreciated concerns raised, however aimed to mitigate these concerns as far as possible, via the commitment to proactively promote the employment of disabled people within local businesses, in addition to the agreement that £100,000 in year one be ring fenced for the benefit of those people currently employed at Speedwell Enterprise Service.

Resolved:

· That the review findings and the options and recommendations for the future be noted.

and: