Agenda item

Extra Care Contract Extension

Report of the Executive Director, People Services.

Decision:

10.1

The report requested an extension of 12 months to the current care and support contracts for the four, council-contracted Extra care Housing Schemes – Guildford Grange, The Meadows, Roman Ridge and White Willows, which was due to expire on the 1st October 2021. 

 

The report highlighted the importance of ensuring continuity of care that meets the needs of people in the city by extending the current contracts while the future services are developed, procured and made ready for implementation.

 

It also highlighted how the extension is needed to ensure the design of the extra care model of support and accommodation contributes longer term to a diverse, quality and sustainable care market that delivers on our ambitions for people in Sheffield.

 

 

10.2

RESOLVED: That Co-operative Executive:-

 

1.    Approve the proposed 12-month extension to the current Extra care contracts as outlined in the report; and

2.    Approve the issue of 12 month contract extensions to the current care provider for all four Extra care Schemes.

 

 

 

 

10.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

10.3.1

The current four contracts for extra care are 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. This, coupled with the 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 contracts with the provider, clearly stating that this would be subject to final approval.

 

 

10.3.2

If the contract expires without being re-tendered or extended, we will be placed in a position where we are unable to contract for any further services across the 4 extra care sites, leaving the potential for no planned or unplanned care provision for the 201 tenants.

 

 

11.3.3

The withdrawal of this service by the onsite provider would significantly affect 118 tenants in receipt of planned care and support but would also have an additional effect on the capacity of the home care market where the alternative provision will need to be sourced, during an unprecedented period of demand on this sector and workforce.

 

 

10.3.4

Extra care housing enables older people to continue to live independently with the security of care and support services on site 24 hours per day.   Following expiry of the contracts and until the re-tender process has been completed the onsite care and support presence, which is a key concept of Extra care, would no longer be available thereby undermining the principles of the provision.

 

 

10.3.5

In the event of the loss of the dedicated onsite extra care provider, planned care services would need to be procured from the Home Care Framework, or via a Direct Payment or Direct Award.  These options will be generally more expensive, impacting on both the tenant and Sheffield City Council at a time of financial pressures. 

 

 

10.3.6

The additional time sought through this request for an extension will also allow for the procurement of the care and support services at Buchanan Green Independent Living scheme which opens Spring 2022.

 

 

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

10.4.1

No further options were judged to be feasible at this time.

 

 

10.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

 

 

 

None

 

 

10.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

 

 

 

None

 

 

10.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

 

 

 

Executive Director, People Services

 

 

11.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

 

 

 

Healthier Communities and Adult Social Care

 

Minutes:

11.1

The report requested an extension of 12 months to the current care and support contracts for the four, council-contracted Extra care Housing Schemes – Guildford Grange, The Meadows, Roman Ridge and White Willows, which was due to expire on the 1st October 2021. 

 

The report highlighted the importance of ensuring continuity of care that meets the needs of people in the city by extending the current contracts while the future services are developed, procured and made ready for implementation.

 

It also highlighted how the extension is needed to ensure the design of the extra care model of support and accommodation contributes longer term to a diverse, quality and sustainable care market that delivers on our ambitions for people in Sheffield.

 

 

11.2

RESOLVED: That Co-operative Executive:-

 

1.    Approve the proposed 12-month extension to the current Extra care contracts as outlined in the report; and

2.    Approve the issue of 12 month contract extensions to the current care provider for all four Extra care Schemes.

 

 

 

 

11.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

11.3.1

The current four contracts for extra care are 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. This, coupled with the 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 contracts with the provider, clearly stating that this would be subject to final approval.

 

 

11.3.2

If the contract expires without being re-tendered or extended, we will be placed in a position where we are unable to contract for any further services across the 4 extra care sites, leaving the potential for no planned or unplanned care provision for the 201 tenants.

 

 

11.3.3

The withdrawal of this service by the onsite provider would significantly affect 118 tenants in receipt of planned care and support but would also have an additional effect on the capacity of the home care market where the alternative provision will need to be sourced, during an unprecedented period of demand on this sector and workforce.

 

 

11.3.4

Extra care housing enables older people to continue to live independently with the security of care and support services on site 24 hours per day.   Following expiry of the contracts and until the re-tender process has been completed the onsite care and support presence, which is a key concept of Extra care, would no longer be available thereby undermining the principles of the provision.

 

 

11.3.5

In the event of the loss of the dedicated onsite extra care provider, planned care services would need to be procured from the Home Care Framework, or via a Direct Payment or Direct Award.  These options will be generally more expensive, impacting on both the tenant and Sheffield City Council at a time of financial pressures. 

 

 

11.3.6

The additional time sought through this request for an extension will also allow for the procurement of the care and support services at Buchanan Green Independent Living scheme which opens Spring 2022.

 

 

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

11.4.1

No further options were judged to be feasible at this time.

 

 

11.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

 

 

 

None

 

 

11.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

 

 

 

None

 

 

11.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

 

 

 

Executive Director, People Services

 

 

11.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

 

 

 

Healthier Communities and Adult Social Care

 

Supporting documents: