Agenda item

(To receive a report from the Executive Director - Adult Care and Community Wellbeing which presents the case for re-commissioning the existing homecare contracts on a broadly similar model however, with a small number of significant changes to how the service functions)

That the Executive:

1.    Approves the re-procurement of twelve zone-based Homecare contracts to establish a county-wide service effective from 1 July 2020 with services fully commencing on 1 October 2020

2.    Subject to approval by full Council of additional funding sufficient to cover the additional cost identified in paragraph 2.21 of the report, approves the inclusion within each of the said homecare contracts of:

                      i.        A 30 minute minimum call duration for all personal care;

                    ii.        A new 'extra rural rate' in extremely remote area with low volumes of call activity; and

                   iii.        The establishment of a Floating Support Team.

3.    Delegates to the Executive Director – Adult Care and Community Wellbeing in consultation with the executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services, the authority to determine the final form of the service, the procurement and the contract, to approve the award of the contract and entering into the contract, and any other legal documentation necessary to give effect to the above decisions.

Consideration was given to a report by the Executive Director Adult Care and Community Wellbeing which presented the case for re-commissioning the existing homecare contracts on a broadly similar model however with a small number of significant changes to how the service functioned.

The Senior Strategic Commercial and Procurement Manager – People Services introduced the report and advised that the Council currently commissioned 12, zone based, contracts to deliver homecare across the county.  These arrangements were due to come to an end on 30 September 2020.  The Council had a statutory duty to provide homecare in the community and as such must ensure that there were satisfactory arrangements in place with the market to discharge this duty.  The contracts were the Council's only method of directly commissioned domiciliary care with the only other main alternative available being direct payments.

The Executive was advised that some of the changes to the contract included the following:

·         Minimum of 30 minute call duration for personal care calls

·         Introduction of a provider led floating response team for each zone

·         Introduction of an enhanced "extra rural rate" where there was a low volume of calls in very rural areas.

The Executive was advised that the report concluded almost a year of work.  Homecare was one of the highest volume services of the Council with over 2300 people receiving care.  The review had confirmed that the commercial model did work and was fit for purpose.  It was also highlighted that one of the planned changes was to the contract duration.  It was currently a three-year contract with two one-year extensions, and it was proposed to increase to a five-year contract with the opportunity for up to three one-year extensions.

The Assistant Director – Adult Frailty and Long Term Conditions clarified that any visits made by carers which were not personal care did not have to be 30 minutes.  The minimum call duration of 30 minutes only applied to visits which included personal care.  It was also noted that the number of calls a person would receive was based on their assessed need.  The biggest package the authority provided involved three to four visits per day. 

It was highlighted that the inclusion of an extra rural rate had been proposed as the visits to the more isolated places, such as small hamlets, put undue pressure on the market.  A detailed analysis of call volumes had taken place and those areas and post codes which qualified as extra rural had been identified.  It was expected that the actual cost impact of this would be low, but would be a solution to some of those areas that were difficult to manage.

In response to a query, it was reported that the turnover of care workers was a concern and could be higher than 30%, which was in line with most other areas in the country.  The challenge for health and social care support staff was how to retain those staff and attract them to Lincolnshire.  The County Council had a very good working relationship with the providers, and the retention and turnover of staff was something that was monitored closely.  However, the Executive was advised that the authority was in a better position than previously as there was exclusivity for providers within the zones so they were better able to secure the capacity.  It was also noted that it was a lot harder to provide these services in a county like Lincolnshire, particularly with the coastal areas.  It was commented that it would be nice to recognise the importance of the work that care workers did.

The scrutiny comments regarding this report which were outlined on page 335 of the agenda pack had been positive, particularly in relation to the introduction of the extra rural rate and the 30 minute minimum calls.

RESOLVED

That the Executive:

1.    Approves the re-procurement of 12 zone-based Homecare contracts to establish a county-wide service effective from 1 July 2020 with services fully commencing on 1 October 2020

2.    Subject to approval by full Council of additional funding sufficient to cover the additional cost identified in paragraph 2.21 of the report, approves the inclusion within each of the said homecare contracts of:

                      i.        A 30 minute minimum call duration for all personal care;

                    ii.        A new 'extra rural rate' in extremely remote area with low volumes of call activity; and

                   iii.        The establishment of a Floating Support Team.

3.    Delegates to the Executive Director – Adult Care and Community Wellbeing in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Adult Care, Health and Children's Services, the authority to determine the final form of the service, the procurement and the contract, to approve the award of the contract and entering into the contract, and any other legal documentation necessary to give effect to the above decisions.