Supporting Vulnerable Adults

Despite the pandemic dominating much of the period since the last local election, during which we worked with partners to maintain health and social care provision ensuring vulnerable people received necessary support, this has not stopped us initiating a significant transformation programme for Adult Social Care.

This programme will modernize services and bring people back from out-of-area placements, improving family contact. To address skills shortages, we raised pay, launched recruitment campaigns, and created a joint domiciliary care service with the Royal United Hospital. We introduced a Fair Charging Framework for Adult Social Care to remove inconsistencies in charging. We brought Community Resource Centre and Equipment services back in-house, raising standards.

Most significantly, after Virgin Care was acquired by a private equity company, we chose not to extend the community health and care contract and made the decision to bring all those services back under direct Council management and control.

Building on these reforms, over the next four years we will:

  • Bring Social Care staff back in-house by March 2024 giving stability to staff and service users and providing staff with development opportunities.

  • Participate in Integrated Care arrangements to deliver accessible, integrated care services.

  • Rebuild and extend community services to support residents' health and well-being.

  • Support independent living for disabled and older people through inclusive policies and accessible public spaces.

  • Create an Age Friendly and Dementia Friendly Community to reduce isolation for older residents.

  • Develop services for people with additional health and care needs to remain safely in their homes.

  • Improve access to local mental health services and extend Advocacy services.

  • Develop local accommodation for people with complex needs to stay in or return to B&NES.

  • Continue to enhance both Children’s and Adults services, especially the difficult transition period between Children’s and Adult care.

  • Continue our policy of making sure no person is forced to sleep rough.and every rough sleeper is offered accommodation.

  • Continue to develop our temporary homes offering for families and individuals made who are homeless.