Agenda, decisions and minutes

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a true record.

1.1         RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the last meeting be agreed as a true record of proceedings.

The following interests were declared:

Cllr Jacq Paschoud and Cllr John Paschoud declared an interest as having a close family member in receipt of a package of social care from the council.

2.1       RESOLVED: That the following interested be noted:

Cllr Jacq Paschoud and Cllr John Paschoud both declared a personal interest in item 3 as they had a close family member in receipt of a package of social care.

RESOLVED: that the task & finish group’s final report and recommendations to Mayor & Cabinet were agreed.

3.1       Cllr Jacq Paschoud introduced the report to the Task and Finish Group and welcomed Will Davis, Director of Lewisham Speaking Up to the meeting.

3.2       Cllr Jacq Paschoud tabled draft recommendations for the Task and Finish Group. In the discussion that followed, the following key points were raised:

·         Members of the Group felt happy that the tabled recommendations represented the task and finish group’s key finding and would help support adults with learning disabilities with digital inclusion.

·         The Task and Finish Group thanked Will Davis for the work of Lewisham Speaking Up which had contributed to the review.

·         A colour key should be included on the digital map included in the report.

·         Members of the Group thanked the Chair for her work on the review.

3.3       RESOLVED:

That the Task and Finish Group’s report be agreed with the inclusion of the following recommendations and be submitted to Mayor and Cabinet:

1)    During social need care assessments and at other key assessment stages such as during transition assessments from children’s to adult’s social services, or for Carer Assessments; digital needs should be considered. This could include consideration of access to suitable devices and data and to any on-going skills or support needed. Questions on assistive technology should routinely and consistently be completed as part of the assessment process.

2)    Any work carried out by the Council on digital inclusion should be monitored for Equalities purposes to help build up a better picture of where there is greatest need and to understand intersectional needs to a greater extent. The importance of the socio-economic context should be considered, as data poverty, access to devices and stability of housing are allkey determiners of digital exclusion. 

3)    Resources such as the Digital Exclusion Risk Index tool and the Indices of Multiple deprivation as well as other local data and insight should be used routinely by the Council and partners to help target those most in need when considering locations of in-person support. Data should be collected routinely to build up an increasingly accurate picture of where the greatest needs are. 

4)    The Council should work with partner organisations to increase understanding of those adults with a learning disability who are most at danger of digital exclusion and who would most benefit from additional support. For example those that live with family members as oppose to those who live in supported living. Support should be targeted to individuals and groups focussing on specific interests as this has been proven to be a successful approach in ensuring motivation.  

5)    All of the Council’s day service provision should have access to wi-fi for their service users. In particular, the Council should urgently work withLadywell Day Care Centre to ensurewi-fi is installed as soon as possible to benefit their service users.  

6)    The Task and Finish Group recognise the need for support to be provided to family carers, helping address concerns such  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.