To consider the report of the Portfolio Holder for Adult Services.
Minutes:
Documents:
· Development of Supported Living Framework - draft delegated decision report
Discussion:
· The focus must be on outcomes and wellbeing of the client
· Any Framework will be in line with the National Commissioning Board and it is expected that all authorities will work within its guidelines. The Regional Partnership board will ensure this is being implemented.
· The existing framework expired in 2015. Contracts let under that framework will expire in November 2019 or April 2020. There are 23 contracts across Powys.
· Currently there are 184 clients and 74 shared houses
· Current spend is in the region of £10M
· The percentage of the population with learning disabilities is higher in Powys than in other authorities. This is due to three large institutions which closed down in the 1990s with the residents remaining in the area. There are also three educational establishments situated in Powys which attracts people to move into the area for the support offered.
· By 2025 the ageing population will have increased by 5%. There are challenges in designing services and providing different support needs.
· Not all accommodation is strategically located
· There is a need to assess community opportunities
· 112 clients are placed outside Powys. Work is ongoing to understand where people are located and why – decisions made must be in their best interests and provide good quality and effective provision. Capacity is being created to bring some clients back into the County
County Councillor J M Williams left the meeting at 11.55.
· The proposed tender will need to achieve high quality care and support at the best market value. It will need to be legally compliant and have sufficient flexibility to be responsive to changing needs and expectations. It will also need to be sustainable.
· The Framework will have to take into consideration the Health and Care Strategy, Learning Disability Commissioning Strategy and the National Commissioning Board.
· A night-time support review is underway using technology to gather evidence. This project is supported by Intermediate Care Fund monies. The whole supported living system is being reviewed to ensure there is no under or over provision.
· The design of accommodation should enable more independent living. Sixteen new supported placements will become live shortly. Peoples’ aspirations are also considered and these are fed into the Housing Strategy.
· The specification is written and will now be published
· The bulk of existing contracts expire in November and a framework in due course with preferred providers needs to be established to enable tenders to let.
· When the contracts were let in 2014 a number were blocked together. Since then spot contracts have been let to accommodate changing needs
· Organisations are keen to operate in a block and have an outcome focussed approach.
County Councillor D Rowlands left at 12.20
· Members were disappointed that there was no Impact Assessment given the size of the contract and the potential level of risk. The commissioning of a framework does not guarantee any business – the object is to place organisations on the Framework ready for commissioning to commence.
· The Committee asked if there was an alternative plan. An options appraisal had considered all options. The new regime would be classed as ‘light touch’. A Steering Group has been established and its preferred option was a Framework as the area would not lend itself to a dynamic purchasing system as there would be little change. Culturally a framework was thought to work well and would provide the required flexibility. A framework can be used to commission quickly where necessary and it also mitigates risk if a supplier were to fail.
· Rents are commissioned through landlords with the Support Provider dealing with the management of the tenancy. Costs are underwritten by Adult Social Care to keep voids to a minimum. The individual is a tenant and has rent liability – in many cases the client is in receipt of housing benefit.
· The Committee questioned the OUJC rules in the event of Brexit. The Head of Commissioning informed the Committee that the Welsh Government have said the current system will continue until such time as Brexit actually happens.
· It seemed as though some properties were isolated with no interaction with the communities in which they were situated. Properties were not necessarily evenly spread across the County and there was evidence of greater demand in Welshpool and Brecon.
· The maintenance liability for properties was questioned. The Landlord is responsible for maintenance and rents should be used for the upkeep and repair of the property. Part of the commissioning work is to ensure that that contract monitoring takes place and the Contract Monitoring Officer may advocate on behalf of the tenants. The properties are also covered by WHQS.
· The Committee questioned continuity of care and what mitigation is to be put in place and whether the market capacity was sustainable. The Framework would provide more flexibility. A Dynamic Purchasing System might discourage registration and therefore destabilize the workforce.
· Members asked if there was sufficient competition within the market - engagement events are to be organised with suppliers and this will provide more information. There is confidence in the market but interest needs to be generated around the whole process.
· The Steering Group will meet fortnightly to consider legal, financial, human resources and procurement issues.
· The Chair asked whether the Council’s own properties could be used and was advised that this was being considered. This would be highlighted with the Steering Group.
Outcomes:
· The Committee welcomed the report and would provide observations to the Portfolio Holder
Supporting documents: