Bexley Council’s Cabinet will consider ambitious changes to adult social care, following extensive public consultation, at its meeting next week.

The new ‘Pathways’ model would see tasks such as Care Act assessments and support planning completed by partner organisations who may already be working with people with social care needs.

Partners are often better placed to understand and quickly support a person in decisions and choices about their care and support needs .

If the changes are agreed, the Council will remain accountable for the oversight and monitoring of the quality of adult social care services.

The Council’s Adult Social Care function will continue to directly support people with complex social care needs and retain its dedicated safeguarding adults team.

The consultation ran for 8 weeks and included 20 public engagement events, an online survey and targeted workshops.

Responses came from people who use services, informal carers, employees, partner organisations and residents.

Nearly 500 people have had their say on the changes.

Councillor Brad Smith said: “We have developed this model with our residents and their needs in mind.

"Linking our adult social care users with the trusted organisations, who can be closer to their situation and have a better understanding of what they may need, makes perfect sense.

“We are working with the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) on this project. They have welcomed the ‘careful and considered approach’ we have taken throughout our planning. With their support we hope to bring exciting changes to the world of Adult Social Care.”

The Cabinet report into the Pathway model, including the results of the consultation, is available online at www.bexley.gov.uk

If agreed the changes to adult social care will be introduced from 1 April 2020.