Decision details

Proposed decision:

To award a contract to a provider who can support the development of micro-providers in Kent and delegate authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health to take 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.

Reason for the decision: 

Adult social care and health is seeking to develop a micro-provider market in Kent.

As part of Making a Difference Everyday approach, this market will support the development of resilient communities by increasing the type of local, community-based activities that support adults to maintain their wellbeing and independence. This market can also alleviate market pressures within the Care and Support market in the longer term by delivering non-regulated care. Micro-providers are especially useful in developing services to fill niche service gaps that are unattractive to larger organisations due to lack of scale, operating at a very local level and can also be used to fill gaps in geographic provision, especially in rural areas.

This is a new approach in Kent and will support a diversification of the community-based care and support market, enabling greater choice for people in the type of care and support available to them.   

To support Kent to achieve this ambition, we are seeking to commission an external provider who is experienced in developing a care related micro-provider market. The focus of the contract will be:

·         to undertake an analysis of gaps and opportunities to form an action plan. 

·         Identifying, training and developing micro-providers

·         Developing a robust quality assurance process and register for approved providers

·         Undertaking a full impact assessment to recognise the benefits of the approach

·         Developing a plan for the longer-term sustainability of the approach

The proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’ by ensuring that older and vulnerable residents are safe and supported with choices to live independently. Specifically, 

•  Those with long-term conditions are supported to manage their conditions through access to good quality care and support
• Older and vulnerable residents feel socially included
• More people receive quality care at home avoiding unnecessary admissions to hospital and care homes
• The health and social care system works together to deliver high quality community services
• Residents have greater choice and control over the health and social care services they receive

Ensuring that people have access to flexible, creative and tailor-made care and support is a key outcome of the Making a Difference Everyday approach. The development of a micro provider market is a key enabler in developing that approach. 

The financial profile is outlined below:

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

a)    AWARD a contract to a provider who can support the development of a micro-provider market in Kent; and

b)    DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Health to take 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.