To agree revised arrangements for the provision of commissioned home care services for adults within Herefordshire.

The cabinet member for health and wellbeing introduced the report.

The director for adults and wellbeing spoke to the report. He drew attention to previous reports in relation to home care services and the commissioning process that had been undertaken. The market had not responded to the commissioning exercise as hoped and there had been concerns about the capacity and quality of providers that had responded.

The proposal was to move from a closed framework to a dynamic framework where providers can join as and when they come forward.

Under the current arrangements where the council was unable to place an individual within the framework it was necessary to go outside which was often more expensive.

One of the challenges faced by the council was that although it was a substantial commissioner of home care, the council accounted for only around half of all home care purchased within the county. Many individuals procured and paid for their own care. This limited the council’s ability to shape the market.

In response to questions it was stated that:

·         this model had been considered previously and was used by other authorities, it was a valid and reputable model;

·         the use of smaller zones had been discussed with the market prior to the commissioning exercise but many existing providers operated over large areas and there was a deliberate attempt to get a mixture of the urban and rural areas in each zone;

·         work was taking place with the planning department to make connections in relation to supporting the building of annexes or adaptations to existing dwellings to facilitate individuals home care needs;

·         rates of payment for care providers would be reviewed on an annual basis using a formula drawing from nationally produced figures, the formula would take full account of factors such as increases in the national living wage;

·         attracting and retaining staff was acknowledged to be a difficulty, work was taking place to raise the profile of care workers and highlight career opportunities;

·         the council monitored providers to ensure that appropriate hand-over time was allowed and that adequate time was allowed to provide the quality of care expected;

·         work was continuing on prevention strategies to reduce the numbers of individuals needing care.

Resolved that:

(a)  an open approved list for the purchase of home care services be introduced from January 2018;

(b)  an open approved list for the purchase of supported living be introduced from January 2018;

(c)  the director for adults and wellbeing be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the above recommendations including the acceptance of providers meeting the qualification criteria onto the open approved list, the setting of the rules relating to the approved list (including amendments from time to time) and the approval of the terms and conditions to be used from time to time for services purchased from the approved list.