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Question:
Could the Portfolio Holder explain the rationale behind the decision by her to remove all funding support to BCA Independent Advocacy Services in Brecon and A Voice For You in Newtown from September 2021 and confirm the following:-
1) That alternative advocacy support of at least the same availability and standards will be in place to support the organisations’ clients and members with a learning a disability well in advance of September 2021 2) That a full Impact Assessment (IA) of the decision on the organisations’ current clients and members was carried out and completed before she made the decision and, if so, could she make a copy of that IA available to all Members of Powys County Council 3) That a significant proportion of the members and clients of the above organisations were consulted about the proposal before a decision was made and could she please explain how that consultation was carried out.
Minutes: Response by the Portfolio Holder:
Thank you for your questions.
I trust that the following will answer your questions and provide the information and assurance you have requested.
I would also like to emphasise that the opportunity for people to have their voice, views and opinions heard is a priority for Powys County Council (PCC). PCC is committed to improving opportunities for people with a learning disability through planning and commissioning services that work with people to meet their needs and fulfil their choices and gives value for money.
The decision to end the existing advocacy grant funding arrangement to Independent Advocacy Service Brecon Citizen Advocacy (BCA) and A Voice For You (VFU) is based on the assurance that there is a contract in place to meet the holistic and broad advocacy requirements for people in Powys. The intention to move towards a formal contract arrangement provides greater opportunity to secure sustainable investment which sets out quality expectations, accountability and robust reporting mechanisms. The aim is to enhance the opportunities and outcomes for people in Powys and improve their advocacy options.
In response to the specific questions, which I have repeated in my response:
That alternative advocacy support of at least the same availability and standards will be in place to support the organisations’ clients and members with a learning disability well in advance of September 2021?’
In April 2019, as part of an open and competitive procurement process, Dewis CIL were successful in being awarded the contract for the independent professional advocacy service (IPAS) for adults in Powys including older people and adults living with disabilities. The aim of this was to deliver on the legal requirements of the Social Services and Well-Being Act 2014 (SSWB Act) to ensure sustainable services and approaches to advocacy, to streamline current contracts and grants and so improve service outcomes and experiences of individuals.
This work was undertaken following guidance from the Welsh Government and co-led with the Golden Thread programme. This programme was funded by Welsh Government for four years (2016 to 2020) to run alongside and support the implementation of Part 10 (Advocacy) of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. The programme's key aims were: • To support the commissioning of independent professional advocacy through a sustainable, strategic approach. • To improve the availability of advocacy services to adults across Wales • To improve the well-being of individuals through advocacy and to give them a stronger voice.
PCC made the decision to address both statutory requirement for advocacy as set out in the SSWB Act (must) and wider non-statutory advocacy (may/consider) requirements (e.g., through supporting and building capacity and partnerships with advocacy organisations and individuals and/or facilitating the non-statutory element directly through a single contract. This contract has a built-in costed provision to deliver the wider non-statutory advocacy offer to encourage and empower people to build the skills required to advocate for themselves, form natural support networks amongst friends, family and wider community or offer support according to their ... view the full minutes text for item 1. |