Relocation of Roshni Mental Health Service
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For: (x) Agenda Item Number: 8 Executive x CLMT th Meeting Date: 15 April 2013 Report of: Head of Adult Social Care Report author: Amy Kay Subject: Relocation of Roshni Mental Health Service Consultations: (x) Councillors (For Executive Only) Scrutiny Lead Executive Member(s): Councillor Hussain Stakeholders Wards Affected: All Others Recommendations 1. That the Executive app rove that the Roshni Mental Health Service is relocated with a staff base at Charter House and services held in Hockwell Ring Community Centre, Dallow Learning Community Centre and other locations personalised to the service user. Background 2. Roshni is a specialist Mental Health Service for the South Asian community in Luton. It has 53 service users who access the service regularly attending key work meetings and group work sessions in sewing, cooking, badminton, music and art as well as offering social and exercise support. The service runs Monday to Friday and is staffed by a Manager, 3 Community Support Workers and an Administrator. Roshni receives referrals from the Community Mental Health Teams, GP’s and self referrals. There are currently 20 people on the waiting list. 3. The service has been running from Ashanti House, 93b Marsh Road, Luton. The lease expired in January 2011. For cost effectiveness and because the location was undesirable for the mix of client groups a new location needs to be agreed. The current position 4. Luton LINks held a Service User consultation event 22 nd August 2012. 22 service users attended which is approximately 40% of client group. Service Users were largely against the initial proposed move to Dallow Learning Community Centr e citing reasons were that the location was not discreet to their community; they did not feel it was private, transport would be difficult and they did not feel safe there. 5. This consultation also showed the majority of service users to be against accessing staff at Charter House, Alma Street. Reasons given were that the town centre is too busy and scared service users, that it was too public and not discreet. Also that it was too formal and service users were uncomfortable there. 6. Alternative properties hav e been investigated by LBC and SEPT. None of which were suitable or fit the funding available. 7. A meeting with Luton LINks in November 2012 has explained that service users do not need to access Charter House if they do not wish to and that Dallow Learning Community Centre is no longer the proposed community base. 8. LINks remain involved. 9. Rosnhi service and staff remain at Ashanti House, Marsh Road. Goals and Objectives 8/1 10. Financial Savings. 11. Increase the communication between Roshni staff and mainstream clinical mental health services. 12. Increased staff access to managerial support. 13. No change to service group provision. Proposal 14. Relocate 5 Roshni staff members from Ashanti House, Marsh Road to Charter House, Alma Street. 15. Relocate most Roshni group activity to Hockwell Ring Community Centre. 16. Relocate one group to Dallow Community Centre on a trial basis to be reviewed after 3 months. 17. Use interview space for client meetings in Hockwell Ring Community Centre , or other community centres as appropriate. 18. Staff will use agile working in sites in the community to offer support in a wide variety of locations when visiting clients. This will reduce the travel for service users. 19. Every effort will be made to hold sessions with service users in Community Centres or agreed locations local to the service user’s homes in order to reduce their travel around the town . This will include such centres as Bury Park, Bushmead, Farley, Hightown, Dallow, Saints, Lewsley Farm and Sundon Park. 20. LBC and SEPT will work to raise awareness of mental health in communities around Luton. This is hoped to help combat perceived stigma. 21. A full review of the Roshni service SLA will be undertaken later in 2013. Key Risks 22. The consultation indicated that 89% of service users in attendance would not access staff at Charter House, the main concern was stigma. To mitigate this risk the proposal was changed so that clients would not need to visit Charter House if they do not want to, staff will work around the community to see service users. 23. Service user consultation indicated that 77% of service users would not access services at Dallow Community Centre. To mitigate this most groups will run from Hockwell Community Centre. One group is still proposed to locate in Dallow Community Centre but will be trailed to measure uptake. 24. Although there is no formal drop-in function of Roshni, service users have come to use the building as such. This will not be possible in the relocation. Clients will need to adapt to planned meetings. They will be supported to accommo date this and will have telephone and email access to staff for support outside of key work and group sessions. An ‘after group’ drop in could be provided at the community centre, it is largely the time after groups where most service users want to be seen . A small group room could be hired dependant on availability for £4.31 an hour or a larger room for £8.61 an hour. 25. Staff travel will increase and car parking will become more challenging. However the cost of rent for the existing location exceeds travel c osts. Staff will be encouraged to organise their travel for work smartly and share travel where possible. 26. There is a risk of service user drop out due to location change. Service users will be supported in the service change and a communications plan will ensure they are kept involved. 27. Storage space will be lost from Ashanti House, however it is proposed that items requiring storage are kept where the groups occur. This is not finalised. Consultations 28. SEPT took the proposal to the LBC Public Scrutiny Committee 9 th May 2012 where the proposals were discussed. 8/2 29. SEPT held a public consultation 13 th June 2012. Service users did not like the idea of using Charter House. 30. Luton LINks held a Service User consultation event 22 nd August 2012. Service Users were l argely against a move to Dallow Learning Community Centre and accessing staff at Charter House. The resulting report led to high level discussions between SEPT and LBC. The conclusion was that a further options appraisal was indicated and completed. This l ed to a further location search and Hockwell Ring Community Centre was identified. 31. LBC conducted further consultation with service users, staff and carers 15 th and 16 th January 2013 to explore the option of Hockwell Ring Community Centre. Hockwell Ring Community Centre was accepted. Appendix attached: Integrated Impact Assessment Background Papers: There are no background papers to this report other than documents which contain exempt information falling within Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. IMPLICATIONS Clearance – agreed by: Legal Save that the executive must make a decision which is David Watson, Principal reasonable in all the circumstances which requires that Solicitor, 28 th March 2013 it takes into account all relevant factors including the results of the Consultation and that it must be satisfied that service users will continue to have reasonable access to the service; there are no direct legal implications to the report. Finance There are some financial savings to be gained as Helen Lambert, Senior a result of the reduced operating costs of the Accountant, HCL Finance service, however future spend will need to be Team 26 th March 2013 closely monitored to ensure it is contained within available budget. Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) – Key Points Equalities/ • Impact on care responsibilities, the service Maureen Drummond, Cohesion/Inclusion change suggested may result in service Social Justice Adviser, 26 (Social Justice) drop out which would add some pressure to March 2013 those who have a caring role. Environment • Reduction in building waste. Agreed by the Strategy & • Reduction in Service User travel. Sustainability Manager • Increase in staff travel. the 26/03/2013. Trevor Brennan. 8/3 Health • Mental Health Service. Provision remains Chimeme Egbutah, unchanged. Advanced Health Improvement Specialist, 28 March 2013 Community Safety Staffing Other FOR EXECUTIVE ONLY - Options: 8/4 .