Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/111

Contact: Kate Terroni, Area Service Manager – District Team Service Area Central Tel: (01865) 815792

Report by Director of Adult Social Services (CA11).

The Cheshire West judgment was handed down by the Supreme Court on 19th March 2014. This judgment has had a significant impact on the workload to meet the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) due to the increased scope of the definition of 'deprivation of liberty' and consequently the number of service users that are now within the remit of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarids who are placed within care homes and hospitals.

This report provides an understanding of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, the context to this judgment and the operational impact of responding to the judgment in Oxfordshire. The report considers the risks to Oxfordshire County Council and how these are being addressed and managed and the need to consider how to meet the  additional responsibilities on the Department. 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to note the impact of the Cheshire West judgement on the Authority due to the significant increase in requests in order to meet our statutory requirements, through increased staffing and financial resources and note the actions taken to manage these impacts.

Recommendation agreed.

The Cheshire West judgment was handed down by the Supreme Court on 19th March 2014. This judgment has had a significant impact on the workload to meet the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) due to the increased scope of the definition of 'deprivation of liberty' and consequently the number of service users that are now within the remit of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards who are placed within care homes and hospitals.

Cabinet considered a report that provided an understanding of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, the context to the judgment and the operational impact of responding to the judgment in Oxfordshire. The report considered the risks to Oxfordshire County Council and how these were being addressed and managed and the need to consider how to meet the additional responsibilities on the Department.

Councillor Heathcoat introduced the contents of the report, noted that locally Oxfordshire was in a good place but referred to the implications in terms of workloads and pressures on staff of increased requests.

During discussion Cabinet explored the working of the processes in place and were advised that the aim was to ensure that people were cared for in the least restrictive way possible.

RESOLVED:    to note the impact of the Cheshire West judgement on the Authority due to the significant increase in requests in order to meet our statutory requirements, through increased staffing and financial resources and note the actions taken to manage these impacts.