New Strategy to Help People Live Better Lives

Councillors in South Tyneside will next week be asked to consider a new five-year vision for adult social care.

With a focus on people, place and partnerships, the strategy aims to build upon valued NHS partnerships and seeks to go wider to include the community, voluntary and faith sectors, housing, education, business sectors and wider corporate partners.

A report to Cabinet says: "We want to work with all of our partners to ensure the person only need tell their story once and that they have an equal voice in co-ordinating their care and support.  We understand promoting the importance of social justice and inclusion, respecting people's rights, citizenship and participation."

The vision has been influenced by Covid, and the health inequalities it has exposed. The long-term impact of Covid on mental health and the sustainability of care services remains to be seen. While the pandemic highlighted real areas of strength, it has also identified the need for improvement in some areas which has shaped the vision.

As part of the vision and development of the strategy, the Council wants to work with people to recognise their strengths and assets to enable them to stay in control of their own lives. By identifying early those most at risk of needing support, people will be enabled to live independently in their communities for longer.

Councillor Anne Hetherington, Lead Member for Independence and Wellbeing, said:  "People should be given the best opportunity possible to lead healthy and independent lives, but we will only achieve this by changing the way we work. We need to focus on outcomes, what people want to achieve, how they want to live and work with our neighbourhoods and communities differently.

"We are committed to supporting our residents with the right level of support when they need it. As part of our approach to prevent, reduce and delay, we want to build upon people's strengths and assets; to support their independence and enable them to live a better life in the neighbourhoods and communities they call home."

The report also recognises the need for a sustainable and skilled workforce for adult social care.

Members will be asked to endorse consultation on the draft strategy to run in the Autumn.