Agenda item - Tendering Extra Care Service

Agenda item

Tendering Extra Care Service

A report from the Executive Director People is attached. (Key decision – reference number 5184)

 

(This item contains exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person – including the authority holding that information) of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended).

 

Minutes:

Councillor Alev Cazimoglu (Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care) introduced the report of the Executive Director People seeking approval to the contract award for extra care services at Alcazar Court and Skinners Court following a detailed tendering process.

 

NOTED

 

1.            That extra care housing services supported Adult Social Care priorities for Older People in Enfield by reducing the number of people who go into long-term residential and nursing care as well as reducing the number of preventable hospital re-admissions.

 

2.            That service users and their families and carers had been actively involved in the procurement process.

 

3.            The detailed tendering processes and outcomes as set out in the report and the restricted appendix (containing exempt information).

 

4.            That schemes of this nature were in short supply in the Borough. The Council was committed to such service provision in the future with long-term aspirations for the development of a care village. It was essential to provide fit for purpose accommodation for older and vulnerable residents.

 

5.            In response to questions raised, Members were advised on the robustness of the market for adult social care services and, the monitoring measures that would be undertaken on the performance of the service providers. The contract was for a 7 year period with break clauses and agreement to the extension of the contracts after the initial 3-year contract period would be made by the appropriate Cabinet Member, as set out in the decisions below.

 

6.            Members were assured of the comprehensive performance reviews and close quality monitoring that would be undertaken on the service providers. At least monthly meetings would take place with the service providers and, intelligence would be sought from a variety of sources including service users and their families.

 

7.            The current state of the domiciliary care market was outlined to Members. Providers had continued to operate throughout the pandemic with funding support. The potential impact of Brexit on the future workforce was noted. Members received an explanation on the Direct Payments processes in Enfield for home care services with elements of spot purchasing where necessary based on quality and delivery of services. The position of Care Homes in the Borough was more challenging and complex.

 

8.            The Council would continue to ensure that Adult Social Care services in the Borough were of a consistent high standard for the benefit of vulnerable service users and their families whilst recognising the service and financial pressures being faced.

 

9.            That the Council had a Brokerage service to support the Direct Payments function which provided a crucial support role to users and their families. There were a significant number of care providers in the Borough.

 

10.         That an important element of the tendering process had been to address the cultural and religious diversity of service users. The contracts were mindful of the diversity of the residents and that providers were expected to meet basic culturally sensitive services covering a range of care needs. Comprehensive assessments were undertaken for each individual and where additional needs were identified, that could not be catered for by the provider, the Council would commission additional services as required to support the care provider and meet identified need. A personalisation approach was taken with users’ individual needs carefully assessed with a focus on achieving the best possible outcome for each individual service user. This was a benefit of the direct payments system and personalisation approach.

 

Alternative Options Considered: NOTED, the detailed options considered as set out in paragraph 45 of the report.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet agreed to

 

1.            Endorse and agree to award a 3+2+2 year contract for care and support services at Alcazar Court Extra Care Housing Scheme and Skinners Court Extra Care Housing Scheme respectively, to the successful service provider outlined in the part two appendix (containing exempt information) on the basis outlined in paragraph 4 of the report.

 

2.            That a Cabinet Member agrees to the formal approval of the 2+2 year extensions periods of the contracts for both Alcazar Court and Skinners Court, subject to satisfactory performance.

 

Reason: The provision of extra care accommodation had been and continued to be a priority for the Council. It delivered a model of care which promoted independent living for a range of vulnerable people who would otherwise be at risk of social isolation, admission to hospital or residential care.

(Key decision – reference number 5184)

Supporting documents: