Oral report
Minutes:
At its meeting held September 2016, the Committee received a presentation from Group Manager Neil Taylor on the background to the Springboard project. For the benefit of new Members, GM Taylor explained that Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service had secured an Information Sharing Agreement with Lancashire County Council which complied with data protection regulations. The Agreement provided for the secure transfer and handling of adult social care data which enabled the Service to profile risk information and thereby target prevention resources towards individuals: aged over 65, who use a telecare system or who have mobility, sensory or cognitive impairments. These individuals were statistically likely to experience poorer outcomes in the event of a fire occurring in their property; therefore by utilising this strategic referral source and directing resources accordingly a reduction in fire related deaths and injuries was expected.
Due to the high percentage of adult social care in some areas the project had initially been piloted in Burnley, extended to Preston and following positive evaluation it had been rolled out on a phased basis across the Service. Progress included that Information Sharing Agreements had now also been secured with Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council. Process mapping had been undertaken for each area and processes improved using technology to integrate information systems automatically. Following staff engagement / briefing and training sessions project ‘Go-Live’ was 3 April 2017.
Early key performance indicator for Accidental Dwelling Fires (KPI 1.3) showed an improved performance when compared with the previous year. KPI 1.7 for the provision of home fire safety check visits had increased by 3,793 to August 2017, when compared against the cumulative number of visits to August 2016.
It was noted that the project had been delivered against a back drop of austerity and the achievement in securing the Information Sharing Agreements was recognised. A number of lessons had been learned which included the value from horizon scanning and the engagement and feedback from staff which had resulted in positive changes to the delivery of the service.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service was the only Fire and Rescue Service using adult social care data to risk profile and deliver a more effective prevention service. Future steps would include: the opportunity to share this best practice, to ensure compliance with emerging legislation, monitor the impact on capacity and undertake a more detailed evaluation in 12 months to review the long term impact.
Members thanked GM Taylor for the presentation and for the work undertaken particularly to secure the data sharing agreements given the clear benefits being achieved as a consequence of this work.
In response to a question raised by Councillor Smith, GM Taylor advised that it was difficult to conclude that the percentage of people who refused a home fire safety / safe and well visit were of a higher risk or led more chaotic lifestyles.
In response to a question raised by Councillor Smith on whether it could be possible to make it a condition of social housing tenancy agreements that people could not refuse a visit, the Assistant Chief Fire Officer, David Russel advised that where there was a refusal this would be communicated back to the respective authority who would explore an alternative route to a visit.
RESOLVED: - That the report be noted.