Powys says it has modernised home care support

A project which aimed to deliver more hours of home care to more Powys residents has been hailed as a huge success by Powys County Council.

Staff working for private agencies, or the county council, now provide 38% more hours of home care to 29% more people than they did two years ago.

The Modernisation of Domiciliary Care project has also reduced the need for the council’s own staff to step in and provide a ‘bridging service’, until agencies can pick up the contracts, and has helped reduce the number of people waiting to receive a social care package by 57%.

In August this year, 9,368 hours of home care were delivered in Powys, compared with 6,794 in September 2023. While in August this year it was delivered to 609 people, compared with 471 in September 2023.

In August this year, 47 people were waiting for a social care package in Powys, compared with 109 in September 2023.

When council staff aren’t providing a ‘bridging service’, they are able to fulfil their main role of providing independence support through an enablement programme.

“My highest commendation goes to everyone involved in this transformation project,” said Councillor Sian Cox, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Caring Powys. “It has been two years of creativity, innovation and dedication, often challenging to deliver.

“It has enabled more people to live more independently in their own homes, for longer; more people to return home from hospital quicker; more people to receive enablement support, sooner; and more people to have more control and choice over who provides their care, when, and how. All of this means better wellbeing, health and quality of life for people - the fundamental purpose of adult social care.”

Powys said that their modernisation project saw:

• The development of an electronic system to advertise available home care contractors, which is live and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• A reduction in the number of different contract rates and the simplification of systems to allow for greater financial control.
• The updating of the Powys Pledge, to strengthen employment terms for home care workers, improving their welfare support and training opportunities.
• The clarification of training standards and Welsh language requirements for home care contractors.
• A redesign of the contract managing system, to include a tiered approach and the development of core key performance indicators.

They said that improvements were also made to the provision of direct payments: funds given to individuals by the council, which allow them to arrange delivery of their own care and support needs.

These included:

• The recommissioning of the managed account and payroll services, which were awarded to a new supplier, whose software allows real time access to balances and individual account transactions.
• Moving the information and advice service from a supplier to inhouse.
• Developing training for social workers, to help them understand when direct payments can be used and what type of direct payment is most appropriate across a range of situations.
• Developing an artificial intelligence (AI) system, including a live chat function, to offer on-demand support to social workers, working with potential and current direct payment recipients.
• A review of the council’s Direct Payments Policy, which included creating simplified routes for the different types of direct payments.