Agenda item

(A report by Emma Scarth, Strategic Programme Lead for Mosaic, which provides an update on progress since the system went live in December 2016 and sets out the strategic direction for future developments)

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update on progress since the Mosaic system went live in December 2016 and set out the strategic direction for future developments.  It was reported that the Mosaic system would replace a number of legacy systems.

Members were given a brief demonstration of the mosaic system and were provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and the demonstration of the system and some of the points raised included the following:

·         It was queried what savings it was expected that Mosaic would generate, and where efficiencies would come into the process.  Members were advised that it would give a visibility to what services were going to an individual, and would give an opportunity to avoid duplication.  It would also show which services were delivering the best outcomes.

·         Mosaic should help with the making of more informed decision about commissioning and what services were more effective.

·         The system would also enable managers to manage the workload of social workers more effectively as it was a workflow based system.

·         It was commented that it was a very ambitious project, but there were concerns as the big IT contracts had not always been as successful as hoped.  It was queried whether more effort should be focused on making sure the system was working as officers wanted it at its current level before making any additions to functionality.

·         It was queried how many customers would be benefitted by the customer portal.  Members were informed that the initial target would be carers and family members such as sons and daughters who wanted to know what the latest situation was with a parent who was receiving care.  It was noted it would be a slow introduction of records.

·         It was queried whether the portal was something the authority should be putting money into and whether it should be up to the person to find out the information they want to know.  However, members were informed that this had been part of the original tender process and so did not require additional funding.  It was expected that use of the portal would be a 'slow burn' but it was considered important that people were able to access information about their loved ones at any time or place.

·         Members were advised that plans had been too ambitious five years ago and one of the first things the Strategic Programme Lead for Mosaic did when she came into post was to look at what had not been delivered and what would be achievable.  It was felt that a position had been reached where Mosaic was stable.  Time had been taken with Mosaic to get various aspects right before going live with the system.

·         The Chairman commented that he would like to see a more controlled approach to future developments.

·         It was suggested that a further report on the Mosaic system should be brought back to a future meeting towards the autumn. 

RESOLVED

            That the comments made in relation to the report be noted.