Decision details

Home Care and Supported Living Framework Contract Extension

Decision Maker: Co-operative Executive

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Purpose:

The current Home Care and Supported Living Framework contract is due to expire October 2021. The contract cannot be re-procured under the light touch regime, and there is insufficient time to re-procure the contract. 

 

It is proposed that the framework contract is extended for a period of 18 months to allow for detailed re-procurements, as a key component of the wider home care transformation programme, and the revised model of care for Supported Living.

 

It is our intention to de-couple the current framework contract, which includes both Home Care and Supported Living, as part of the future procurement process.

Decision:

9.1

The report requested an extension of 18 months to the current Home Care and Supported Living Framework contract, which was due to expire October 3rd2021.

 

The report highlighted the importance of ensuring continuity of care that meets the needs of people in the city by extending the current framework while the future model of home support is developed ready for implementation.

 

In addition, it highlighted the changes required to deliver long term, quality and sustainable care markets that deliver on our ambitions for people in Sheffield and how the extension will enable these to be incorporated into the future model.

 

 

9.2

RESOLVED: That Co-operative Executive:-

 

1.    Approve the proposed 18-month extension to the current Home Care and Supported Living framework as outlined in the report; and

 

2.    Approve contract extensions being issued to all current framework providers on the Home Care and Supported Living framework for the 18-month extension. 

 

 

 

9.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

9.3.1

The current framework contract for Home Support and Supported Living is due to expire October 2021, and there is insufficient time to re-tender for services before this date. The extension to the current framework has been subject to detailed consideration over the last 12 months, in respect of alternative approaches, such as a light touch re-procurement, referred to in section 5. This, coupled with the consequential impact of the pandemic upon our internal resources, has had an impact on the timeline for a final decision.

 

We have previously communicated an informal notice of intent to extend the contract to the providers, clearly stating that this would be subject to final approval.

 

 

9.3.2

Should the framework contract expire without re-tender or extension, then we will be unable to contract any further council arranged services for Home Care or Supported Living.

 

 

9.3.3

Services until a re-tender could only be arranged via a Direct Payment, which puts unnecessary pressure upon the person in receipt of care to arrange, finance and manage their own care if this is not what they wish to do, or Direct Awards, which are generally far more expensive than what we currently contract for care, whilst still providing the time and task model of support. Transferring to a Direct Payment from a Council Arranged Service would also impact on Assessment and Care Management to carry out reviews and Mental Capacity Assessments.

 

 

9.3.4

As we will not have a contracted rate for care, any services procured will be purchased using each provider’s own hourly rate, which will not only be more expensive, but will be inequal across the city, with people paying different prices for care dependent upon where they live and which providers have capacity to support them.

 

 

9.3.5

Additionally, any terms and conditions that we currently contract against, such as quality expectations, timescales for procurement, and quality monitoring, would no longer be enforceable, and would negatively impact upon The Council’s ability to ensure that the services procured for Sheffield residents are appropriate and meeting their needs.

 

 

9.3.6

This extension will ensure:

  • the Council continues to meet its Statutory duties under the Care Act 2014;
  • there are no adverse effects to residents currently in receipt of home care and supported living services, in terms of the continuity of their care services;
  • there is no adverse effect to both the Council and Sheffield residents currently in receipt of home care and supported living services, in terms of the cost of their care services;
  • sufficient time is granted to develop, test and implement new, sustainable and ambitious models of care.

 

 

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

9.4.1

A light touch retender was considered instead of an extension; however, this was not supported by Legal or Commercial Services as it was seen as being non-compliant with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, given the size of the market and cost.

 

 

9.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

 

 

 

None

 

 

9.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

 

 

 

None

 

 

9.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

 

 

 

Executive Director, People Services

 

 

9.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

 

 

 

Healthier Communities and Adult Social Care Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee

 

Report author: Alexis Chappell

Publication date: 27/09/2021

Date of decision: 22/09/2021

Decided at meeting: 22/09/2021 - Co-operative Executive

Effective from: 02/10/2021

Accompanying Documents: