Adult Services have been leading the way with good news for Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) in what is a very trying economic time for everyone, including the Council.
These good news stories shows that Adult Services is demonstrating a level of excellence that is a testament to the work of Council Officers, the NHS and the Voluntary Sector in thinking constructively outside the box to serve residents efficiently and effectively.
On June 29, Wokingham Borough Council were at the Municipal Journal Awards where the hard work of officers and colleagues across the Borough has been recognised. Adult Services were shortlisted for three awards and won the Best Social Housing Initiative award.
The MJ Awards for Local Government recognise best practice and excellence in delivering services to residents, as well as innovation in supporting local communities.
The awards also celebrate projects where local authorities have worked closely with partners, including other professional organisations, the voluntary sector, businesses and the local community to deliver great outcomes for all.
The council was shortlisted as a finalist in the following categories:
Best Social Housing Initiative for the ASC Specialist Accommodation (ASCSA) Programme – At Wokingham Borough Council we recognise the significance that suitable, affordable and good quality housing plays in our community and in everyone’s day-to-day lives. This project supports our residents with complex needs to live more safely, confidently and independently through the development of a range of specialist housing options.
It is an ambitious and locally driven initiative that has built strong partnerships with both landlords and care providers and delivered excellence for our residents who need a range of services.
Digital Transformation for Project Joy – The creation of a new Social Prescription App to help connect residents in need with the best health and well-being service to offer support for that person and their need, reducing pressure on GPs while also providing an improved approach to referrals.
Innovation in Partnerships for Keeping In Touch (KIT) – This is an innovative project working with Voluntary Sector Partners to help support older residents stay healthy and independent through a one-to-one coaching approach.
With coaches able to listen, assess, devise plans and remain in touch to help deal with any emerging or changing issues. This helps to target vulnerable people, work with them before they need hospitalisation and has also been recognised by the NHS.
Alongside this, the Wokingham Integrated Partnership (WBC and the Voluntary sector working with the NHS) have reached their Better Care Fund targets, something unheard of in Berkshire. This means they have released more money for their work.
Reading the targets has resulted in fewer hospital admissions, more people still at home 90 days after discharge from hospital, fewer people becoming permanently residents in care homes with more returning to their usual home.
The WIP works on about 60 schemes (including KIT and JOY) that achieve these goals. This is a great thank you to all the people from a range of services who have worked tirelessly to ensure we have done excellently and reached these difficult targets.
On Wednesday, June 14, Loddon Court, a short breaks initiative, was reopened as a service that accommodates 8 people at any time, supporting about 60 people and their families with short-term accommodation.
This gives parents a break while also giving people who use the service a change and somewhere they can increase their independence and choice.
The service has been well refreshed, is easier to access and is now more safety conscious.
In the accommodation are hospital beds that can be moved up and down, a quiet sensory room, as well as a hob and washing basin that can be moved up and down for wheelchair users. There is also a well-equipped garden, thanks to INSAAN, a local charity who have made a valuable donation to update the garden areas and prepare for barbecues.
Adult Services are working with the people of Wokingham to provide both life-enhancing services and accommodation with them that is as good as possible. Adult services seek to provide a cost-effective way of working with people, providing their desires efficiently while not short-changing them.
Cllr David Hare is the executive member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Services on Wokingham Borough Council and ward member for Hawkedon
