Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Health and Community which gave an update on the Partnership arrangements for the delivery of the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) service across St Helens and Halton Councils and sought agreement to review and update the Partnership Agreement in line with the recommendations of a recent Audit report.

The Board was advised that following approval by both St Helens and Halton Executive Committees, a joint Emergency Duty Team had become operational in October 2007 under a three year Partnership Arrangement. The EDT provided an emergency social care service for adults and children who were deemed vulnerable and were at immediate risk or require immediate statutory support.

          T            he Board was further advised that The EDT was located in Halton Borough Council’s Contact Centre at Catalyst House, Widnes. The team consisted of an EDT Manager, six full time social workers and a part time Administrative Officer. It operated outside normal working hours. Under the terms of the Partnership Agreement, all staff were directly employed by St Helens Council, whilst the infrastructure for the service was supplied by Halton Borough Council.

            In addition, before the EDT service had been in place, a Steering Group had been set up, consisting of senior officers from both Councils, to drive forward all developments, and a full Partnership Agreement was developed. At the point that the new service began, the Steering Group had become the full Partnership Board.

            It was reported that the Partnership Board had met regularly in line with the Partnership Agreement, with responsibility for chairing the Board being shared between Senior Officers from both Councils on an annual rota. The Board reviewed management information, the budget, service delivery, areas for development and any issues that impacted on the service. A Performance Management Framework had been also developed and the Board considered statistical information at each meeting. This framework was to be taken forward through 2009/10 with the development and piloting of an outcomes-based framework, which would build on pure statistical information to give a fuller picture of the effectiveness of the service.

            It was noted that the budget for 2008/09 was £391,499 and was funded on a 50:50 shared basis between St Helens Council and Halton Borough Council.

The Board was advised that they could undertake a visit to Catalyst House and meet the staff in the Emergency Duty Team,  The operating hours were from 4.30 pm and any Member interested in visiting the team should contact the Lead Officer of the Board.

            The following points arose from the discussion:-

·        It was noted that various agencies used the service such as the Police, Health and A&E etc.  It was also noted that it was well publicised, all agencies were aware of the service and the quality of the service had significantly improved;

·        Clarity was sought on whether the drop in Centre in Moor Lane was closed at the weekend;

In response, it was reported that officers would look into this matter.

·        In respect of the statistical data regarding the numbers of referrals in any area not reflecting the workload for the team it was suggested that this could be changed to give a clearer picture of the actual number of referrals; and

·        it was acknowledged that Halton and St Helens Social Services Duty Team represented an excellent example of partnership working.

RESOLVED: That

(1)               the report and comments made be noted;

(2)               A visit to Catalyst House to meet the Emergency Duty Team be arranged for Members of the Board; and

(3)               Information on the opening hours of the drop in centre at Moor Lane be circulated to Members of the Board.