Agenda item

(Copy attached.)  

4(b)               </AI5>

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(b)          Key Performance Indicators for SB Cares

            (i)      With reference to paragraph 4(b) of the Minute of the meeting of 10 November 2015, there had been circulated copies of a report by the Finance and Commercial Director of SB Cares updating the Strategic Governance Group on the development of SB Cares Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as at 31 December 2015.  The agreed KPIs for 2015/16 were detailed in Appendix 1 to the report.  The number of clients supported across the services to 31 December 2015 had reduced slightly and Members were advised that this was mainly due to families provided more support over the festive period.  The average number of carers supporting clients had remained consistent over this period.  It was noted that the level and complexity of care could change for clients on a regular basis and this would have an impact on these figures.  Ms Collins explained that absence levels had been identified as an area for improvement and SB Cares Senior Management had been working with the Council's HR Shared Services team to develop reports to monitor and manage absence.  The figures now produced included all staff and the revised figures showed an absence rate of 6.69% for July 2015 and 5.81% for November 2015.  With regard to the number of staff employed, Members were advised that the number of Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff had increased by 2 and the number of staff paid had decreased by 15.  Ms Collins explained that this was due to the recruitment of permanent homecare staff employed to support additional contracts.  A "spike" in the number of staff paid was the result of back pay being paid to all staff, including relief workers.  There were 7 posts currently being recruited and included homecare staff, maternity leave cover and vacant posts due to retirement.  The report advised that KPIs for 2016/17 were being developed to monitor service quality; efficient delivery of services; sales targets; and staff.  These KPIs would include targets and would form part of the Business Plan to be presented to the Group in March 2016.

            (ii)      Discussion followed and officers provided clarification on a number of points.  Ms Crombie acknowledged that, in terms of recruitment, there were challenges in some areas of the Borders but she was confident that all posts would be filled.  With regard to the number of hours worked by each carer, Ms Crombie explained that this depended on the care required; in some cases a client might require 6 visits per day and because of complex needs, this could involve 2 carers for each visit.  In addition, it was noted that clients preferred familiar carers and this was also taken into consideration whenever possible.  On a point of clarification, Ms Crombie explained that when the report mentioned "FTE staff", this referred to the total number of staff on the Payroll; the "number of staff" was used in reference to the actual number of staff paid.  Members asked that this be made clear in future reports.  With regard to absence management, it was noted that a number of measures such as utilising the Council's Occupational Health facility had been implemented to assist in the management of staff absence.  Mr Barr confirmed that target levels would be set and that benchmarking would assist in that process.  Officers provided clarification on further points raised by Members and additional information would be included in the report being presented to the Strategic Governance Group at its special meeting in March 2016. 

DECISION                                                      

(a)     NOTED:-

          (i)      the current KPIs for SB Cares; and

          (ii)     (b)            the continuing development of KPIs for SB Cares.

(b)     AGREED that the difference between "Full Time Equivalent (FTE) staff" and the "number of staff" be made clear in future reports.