To request Cabinet approval to implement the proposed Commissioning Plan for the Independent Domiciliary Care sector; and also to request Cabinet approval for Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) to undertake a procurement exercise to invite tenders to establish a framework agreement for the provision of all packages of externally commissioned Domiciliary Care.

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing submitted a report, that requested Cabinet approval to implement the proposed commissioning plan for the independent domiciliary care sector, and also requested Cabinet approval for BCBC to undertake a procurement exercise to invite tenders to establish a framework agreement for the provision of all packages of externally commissioned domiciliary care.

She explained that in November 2014, Cabinet approved the remodelling homecare implementation plan, which set out the Council’s intentions for meeting the increasing demands for internal homecare and external domiciliary care in a sustainable and managed way. This plan recommended remodelling the Council’s internal homecare service into a provider of specialist homecare services, and to commission domiciliary care services from the independent sector, other than in exceptional circumstances where packages of specialist care needed to be provided.

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing advised that in January 2016, Cabinet approved the award of a framework agreement to 13 providers for the provision of new packages of domiciliary care for the period 1^st April 2016 to 31^st March 2018, with an option to extend for a further period of up to 24 months. Of the 13 providers, the Council previously had contractual arrangements in place with 9, with the other 4 being new providers. It was now the intention to build a new framework for all domiciliary care providers.

Referring to paragraph 4.4 of the report, the Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing added that in respect of the service model, all providers in attendance felt that the new model in place since April 2016 was very positive, and had helped to improve quality. The providers were complimentary about the mandatory requirement of implementing an Electronic Call Monitoring system, recognising that its use is of benefit to them, as well as to the Council when used to help inform contract monitoring activities.

A market testing exercise then took place, with a view to finding the best way within which to move forward when considering all packages of domiciliary care, and the main findings of this event were outlined in paragraph 4.6 of the report.

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing confirmed that based on the feedback received at the domiciliary care forum with existing providers, which was then ratified by wider providers at the market testing event, it was concluded that very little change would be needed to the existing service model.

In relation to the Commissioning Plan Service Model, paragraphs 4.9 and 4.10 outlined details of this, which would continue to meet the needs of all service users.

Paragraph 4.11 of the report and information following this provided some further pertinent points in respect of the service model already in place, which was in the process of being refined and finalised, in order to meet the indicative procurement timescales relating to matters of Quality Assurance, Contract Monitoring and Brokerage.

In terms of the Procurement approach, the Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing confirmed that it was proposed that a new four year (2 year contract with an option to extend by up to a further 24 months) framework agreement be established, for the provision of all externally commissioned domiciliary care. All packages of homecare would be allocated according to set criteria in the form of individual service contracts, and packages would be allocated under the arrangements of the new framework, as applicable.

Paragraph 4.22 of the report then showed in table format, the indicative procurement timescales, should approval be given to implement the commissioning plan for the independent domiciliary care sector.

The Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing referred to the report’s financial implications and the savings that had been met to date, and that a further saving of £250k for 2016/17 had been factored into the MTFS from April 2016.

Finally, she advised that the projected year-end spend in 2016/17 for the provision of independent domiciliary care was in the region of £5m, and also that it was anticipated that the total spend on independent domiciliary care would increase in-line with projected demographic changes, and in-line with the implementation of the homecare remodeling plan.

The Cabinet Member Social Services and Early Help emphasised the need to get the balance right regarding specialist in-house care and independent care arrangements, with the option for an independent provider to deliver specialist packages in exceptional circumstances where needed.

The Cabinet Member Education and Regeneration added that he supported the principle of managing a market but at the same time, maintaining a balance for in-house care provision.

The Cabinet Member Wellbeing and Future Generations further asked if the external providers were a mix of independent and not for profit providers, to which the Corporate Director – Social Services and Wellbeing confirmed that she thought they were more not for profit providers, but she would check this and come back to the Member outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED:                           That Cabinet:

(1)       Approved the commissioning plan proposed for the independent domiciliary care sector in Bridgend.

(2)       Approved the implementation of the procurement timetable as set out in paragraph 4.22 of the report.

(3)       Approved the invitation of tenders to establish a framework agreement for the provision of all packages of externally commissioned domiciliary care.

(4)        Noted that a further report will be presented to Cabinet, requesting approval to enter into a framework agreement for the provision of all packages of externally commissioned domiciliary care.