Decision details

The short breaks service makes a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of adult carers and supports the County Council to fulfil its duties towards carers under the Care Act 2014.

The short breaks contract supports adults who care for other vulnerable adults, including older people, people with a learning disability or people with mental health problems. It is jointly funded by Health and Social Care and the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and has been in place for three years.

The contract is coming to an end on 30 April 2016 but funding has been identified to recommission the service for a further two years until 31 March 2018.

Financial Implications:

The current contract value is £1.5m per annum, which includes a contribution of £700k per annum from Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).  The contract will be re-commissioned for two years, from 1 May 2016 to 31 March 2018.

Legal Implications:

The Care Act 2014 makes clear that carers have the same rights as those they care for and should have access to the support they need. Local Authorities must offer carers an assessment based on the appearance of need and have a duty to meet unmet eligible needs. Local authorities must also provide or arrange services that help prevent people developing needs for care and support or delay people deteriorating so that they would need ongoing care and support.

Equality Implications:

None

The matter is referred to in the Directorate’s Business Plan/Medium Term Capital Programme.

As CabinetMember forAdult Social Care and PublicHealth, 1:

•    AGREE tothe re-commissioningof shortbreaks/sitting servicesfor adultcarers ofvulnerable adults

•            DELEGATE authorityto theCorporate Directorfor SocialCare, Healthand Wellbeingor other nominatedofficer toauthorise theletting ofthe contract.