Decision details

Proposed decision:

      i.        Award the contract to the successful bidder identified as part of the procurement process, for the provision of a countywide Technology Enabled Care Service for a maximum of seven years (initial five-year contract with a two-year extension option).

    ii.        Delegate authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health and the Corporate Director Finance, to agree the relevant contract extension as required.

   iii.        Delegate authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health to take other relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision.

Background:
Technology Enabled Care is a key area of Making a Difference Every Day; Our Strategy for Adult Social Care 2022 – 2027 and aligns with Framing Kent’s Future Strategy: “we have real opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our adult social care services by making full use of new technology and innovations that mean we can better manage demand and focus resources where they are most needed.”

Technology Enabled Care is a term to describe a range of personalised IT and digital solutions which can be used to support outcomes for people who draw on care and support and carers. Innovative technology solutions and data are allowing people to remain independent for longer, identifying risk, preventing incidents and ensuring quick and appropriate responses to avoidable events such as falls.

The data harnessed from these technologies will not only support people more effectively at an individual level and has the potential to support management of health and wellbeing at a population-level and provide insights which support future service planning.

Technology Enabled Care has been evidenced in other local authorities to improve outcomes for people and achieve significant financial and non-financial benefits. The objective of the Technology Enabled Care Service is to fully embrace the range of technology now available in the market and embed a technology-focused and data-led approach in adult social care.

To gain a better understanding of the Technology Enabled Care Service needed in Kent, a Build and Test project was commissioned in the East Kent area which began in April 2022. The project trialled different models of delivery, a wide range of technologies and gathered feedback from people drawing on care and support. The live Build and Test period ran from June 2022 until February 2023. During this period 133 people were supported by technology and 97% reported an improvement in the areas of daily living that were most important to them after 8 weeks.
The design of the Technology Enabled Care Service and procurement approach was co-produced, along with learning from other local authorities. This approach recently won Kent County Council an iESE Public Sector Transformation award for innovative use of digital and technology and creating a new and dynamic service that will lead to improved outcomes.

The procurement for the countywide Technology Enabled Care Service began in December 2022 and has involved a range of stakeholders from Adult Social Care, the wider council, partner representatives from the Integrated Care Board, Co-production Groups and district and borough councils, ensuring that the service is shaped by people with the right expertise and experience.
Following completion of the procurement process it is proposed to award the contract, to the successful bidder, for the provision of the countywide Technology Enabled Care Service for a maximum of seven years (Initial five-year contract with a two-year extension option).
The contract will start on 1 June 2023 and end on 31 May 2028 (initial five-year contract) with an option to extend, subject to robust contract monitoring, for a further two years from 1 June 2028 to 31 May 2030.

Data Protection implications:

A full Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) has been developed following the completion of the initial screening. The DPIA has been informed by engagement with KCC’s Data Protection Office and the Adult Social Care Information Governance Lead. However, some of the mechanisms on how the data will be processed will not be known until the preferred provider is selected. Further work will be undertaken to develop the DPIA in partnership with the provider during the contract mobilisation phase in July and August 2023.

The preferred provider will also be required to undertake DPIAs to manage any devices and systems delivered under sub-contracting arrangements. The DPIA will be updated once a provider is appointed to reflect their specific processing arrangements.

As Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, I:

a) AWARD the contract to the successful bidder identified as part of the procurement process for the provision of a countywide Technology Enabled Care Service for a maximum of seven years (1 June 2023 to 31 May 2028 (initial five-year contract) with an option to extend, subject to robust contract monitoring, for a further two years from 1 June 2028 to 31 May 2030).

b) DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health and the Corporate Director for Finance, to agree the relevant contract extension as required; and

c) DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health to take other relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision