Agenda item

Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Well-being wanted it noted that some contract providers are CQC Rated Requires Improvement and in this cases we apply our quality assurance framework and suspend new placements with the provider and support them to improve their service, until we are satisfied that we can lift the suspension.

The Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing RESOLVED:

1.For the Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing to

retrospectively approve, pursuant to Contract Standing Order 10.02.1 (b) and

16.2, the extension of twelve (12) contracts for the provision of bundled hours

home support and reablement service, for a six-month period, from 1st

September 2023 to 29th February 2024. The twelve contracts are listed in

Appendix 1 of this report.

2.The maximum cost of extending for six months, if all care hours are utilised,

is £5,021,640, taking the combined total contract values to a maximum of

£27,721,396. For the avoidance of doubt, payment will be made on services

called-off and delivered only, and the estimated likely spend based on

current utilisation is £4.1m.

3.For the Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing to note that

a further report will be prepared to consider whether the council should

exercise its option, under the original tender, to extend the contracts for up

to a further 18 months.

4.For the Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing to note the

Council’s position (as set out in para 6.4) in respect of bundled hours home

Support

Reasons for decision

Haringey’s new model of care for home care support was developed using a

Co-design process that engaged with front line care workers, provider

agencies, service users, and social care staff.

Since the introduction of the contracts there has been measurable

improvements in the service offer for Haringey residents receiving home care

and reablement. Analysis shows that a larger proportion of care hours are

being delivered by a smaller number of providers, which we know has several

benefits, including: a more unified approach between care providers, social

care and health professions, and the voluntary and community sector; more

effective contract monitoring and quality assurance through less Council

resource needed to ensure efficacy in delivery outcomes; and strengthening

crucial partnerships between the Council and Providers to assure quality

and continue to improve value. Amongst providers delivering these contracts

we have seen fewer packages handed back and fewer complaints about

consistency and continuity of care. Research shows that continuity of care

and increased coordination and communication between professionals

delivers improved outcomes for residents and can maintain or reduce needs.

The contract reviews which are currently underway, will aim to evaluate the

extent to which these outcomes have been delivered and can be evidenced.

The contracts have also led to improved contractual terms for care workers

with providers required to pay LLW, Travel and Waiting Time, and forgo their

use of zero hours contracts. Again, the contract reviews will consider the

consistency with which these requirements of the contract are being adhered

to.

The initial 6-month extension will allow sufficient time to conclude a review

of these contracts to inform the decision of whether or not the contracts

should continue, or an alternative contracting model is required.

Alternative options considered

1. Do nothing: the contract would end on 31st August 2023 and would

undermine all the progress the Council has made with the successful

providers to-date. It would also put at risk continuity of care for clients as

providers may choose to hand back packages of care.

2. Go out to tender: It would be possible to go back out to tender but given the

imminent expiration of the contract, will not allow for a full procurement

process to be undertaken. However, extending the contract for a further 6

months, will enable a more efficient solution to maintain continuity of service

and undertake a comprehensive review and option appraisal of the current

service.