Agenda item

10.1

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director of Adult Care and Wellbeing which sought approval from Committee to proposed fee rates for Council contracted providers in the financial year 2023-24. It was proposed that the rates take effect from 10^th April 2023. 

The report also requested approval to undertake a cost of care exercise for non-standard accommodation with care provision in 23/24 to inform future commissioning and strategy.

The report set out the process that the Council had followed and the analysis which informed the proposed fee rates to ensure a sustainable social care market.

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee:-

1.    Notes that the rates for Homecare and for services within the Adults Disability Framework (Supported Living, Day Activities and Respite/Short Breaks) and rates for Enhanced Supported Living have been set by previous Committee decisions and through procurement in 2022/23 with new contracts due to begin from April 2023.

2.    Approves the award of short-term contracts, at a rate of £21ph for 6 months from 10th April 2023 with an option to extend for a further 6 months, to Homecare providers on our existing Framework contract.

3.    Approves an increase of 9.74% to the fee rate for Care at Night and Extra Care (care element only).

4.    It is proposed that the Council will provide an increase of direct payments of 9.74% for those buying provider support and for PA employers a rate of 9.68%.

5.    Approves an increase of 9.74% to the fee rate for Dementia day care.

6.    Approves a rate of £14.50 per week for Council provided Appointeeship services.

7.    Agree the savings identified in Option 2 of Appendix 3 to enable the increase to £630 per week for contracted standard care homes and approve that increase.

8.    Approves an increase of up to 9.8% for non-standard care home rates that are individually negotiated subject to contractual compliance.

9.    Delegates authority to the Director of Adult Health and Social Care and Director of Finance in consultation with the Co-Chairs of the Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee to agree any appropriate and proportionate fee increases requested by care homes outside Sheffield because cost pressures will vary from place to place.

10.Delegates authority to the Director of Adult Health and Social Care in consultation with the Co-Chairs of the Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee to take all other necessary steps not covered by existing delegations to achieve the outcomes outlined in this report.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

The recommendations arise from the Council’s market shaping responsibilities.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Alternative options for fee levels for Homecare, Supported Living, Day Activities and Respite/Short breaks were presented in Committee reports seeking approval for commissioning strategies for those services.

10.4.2

The Council could consider lower uplifts for services, but this is not recommended given the current context and issues across care and support provision for adults, and the level of change Adult Social Care is undertaking to improve the lives and experiences of people in the City.

10.4.3

The Council originally consulted on an increase to the standard rate for Care Homes to £620pw. This is not recommended following responses to the consultation and further analysis of the risks facing the sector.

10.1

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Director of Adult Care and Wellbeing which sought approval from Committee to proposed fee rates for Council contracted providers in the financial year 2023-24. It was proposed that the rates take effect from 10^th April 2023. 

The report also requested approval to undertake a cost of care exercise for non-standard accommodation with care provision in 23/24 to inform future commissioning and strategy.

The report set out the process that the Council had followed and the analysis which informed the proposed fee rates to ensure a sustainable social care market.

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee:-

1.    Notes that the rates for Homecare and for services within the Adults Disability Framework (Supported Living, Day Activities and Respite/Short Breaks) and rates for Enhanced Supported Living have been set by previous Committee decisions and through procurement in 2022/23 with new contracts due to begin from April 2023.

2.    Approves the award of short-term contracts, at a rate of £21ph for 6 months from 10th April 2023 with an option to extend for a further 6 months, to Homecare providers on our existing Framework contract.

3.    Approves an increase of 9.74% to the fee rate for Care at Night and Extra Care (care element only).

4.    It is proposed that the Council will provide an increase of direct payments of 9.74% for those buying provider support and for PA employers a rate of 9.68%.

5.    Approves an increase of 9.74% to the fee rate for Dementia day care.

6.    Approves a rate of £14.50 per week for Council provided Appointeeship services.

7.    Agree the savings identified in Option 2 of Appendix 3 to enable the increase to £630 per week for contracted standard care homes and approve that increase.

8.    Approves an increase of up to 9.8% for non-standard care home rates that are individually negotiated subject to contractual compliance.

9.    Delegates authority to the Director of Adult Health and Social Care and Director of Finance in consultation with the Co-Chairs of the Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee to agree any appropriate and proportionate fee increases requested by care homes outside Sheffield because cost pressures will vary from place to place.

10.Delegates authority to the Director of Adult Health and Social Care in consultation with the Co-Chairs of the Adult Health and Social Care Policy Committee to take all other necessary steps not covered by existing delegations to achieve the outcomes outlined in this report.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

The recommendations arise from the Council’s market shaping responsibilities.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Alternative options for fee levels for Homecare, Supported Living, Day Activities and Respite/Short breaks were presented in Committee reports seeking approval for commissioning strategies for those services.

10.4.2

The Council could consider lower uplifts for services, but this is not recommended given the current context and issues across care and support provision for adults, and the level of change Adult Social Care is undertaking to improve the lives and experiences of people in the City.

10.4.3

The Council originally consulted on an increase to the standard rate for Care Homes to £620pw. This is not recommended following responses to the consultation and further analysis of the risks facing the sector.