Reason for the decision:
The current Community Day Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities framework contract is due to expire on 30 September 2022 and new arrangements need to be in place by 1 October 2022.
The new service specification (Everyday Life Activities, Skills Development and Training Opportunities) is outcome focused and is based on the Making a Difference Everyday (MADE) approach and the Provider Services design principles (which have been part of a separate engagement process) and align with a Self-Directed Support approach of Adult Social Care.
It is recognised that a traditional approach to ‘day opportunities’ is reducing in demand, however this is still an important provision for some individuals and their families. The service and support provided through the new Dynamic Purchasing System is a flexible, adaptable and evolving model which will include traditional day opportunities as well as wider support outside of traditional times and settings. This offer also aligns with other Adult Social Care Projects such as the Micro-Enterprises development.
Financial Implications:
The actual spend (across Adults and Children’s Social Care) for 2021-22 was £9,547,321 (£6,349,221 adults, £3,298,100 children’s) for this service provision.
Due to the COVID pandemic, the spend during 2021/22 was lower than the allocated budget. This has been a result of some services being closed for periods of time. Client charging has also been suspended which impacts on this.
This new Dynamic Purchasing System allows for flexibility in the fees paid depending on the activity / support delivered and to work with providers and the people we support to use other methods of payment, such as direct payments and individual service funds.
The Council budget was approved at County Council on 10 February 2022. It is acknowledged that there are significant pressures on the Adult Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s budgets. As such there are identified savings for this support; £1,000,000 identified against the Adult Social Care budget.
This Dynamic Purchasing System is a tool to assist Social Care Practitioners and the people we support and their carers to purchase the support and activities they wish to engage in. In line with the future ways of working and the Making a Difference Everyday approach, the savings identified against the Adult Social Care budget for this area will be achieved through the conversations and support planning with the people we support, by giving them more control and choice about the activities and support they want within their personal budget to meet their outcomes, and to ensure that as far as is possible only providers that are a part of the Dynamic Purchasing System with agreed rates are used.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure or savings of more than £1m;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: (All Division);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 06/07/2022
Decision due: Not before 4th Aug 2022 by Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
Lead director: Richard Smith
Department: Social Care, Health & Wellbeing
Contact: Sharon Dene, Senior Commissioning Manager Email: sharon.dene@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
The proposed decision was discussed at the Adult Social Care Cabinet Committee on 13 July 2022 and the recommendations were endorsed by the majority.
Mrs Meade and Mr Streatfeild asked for it to be noted they did not endorse the recommendations.
Financial implications: Please see 'Financial Implications' section above.
Legal implications: The procurement of this Dynamic Purchasing System has been undertaken in line with the Public Contract Regulations (2015). There will need to be resource allocated at the end point contract award for contracts to be sealed. The new contracts will be taken forward in a way which ensures the Council’s statutory responsibilities are discharged accordingly. These services support an individual with an assessed care and support need and therefore fall under the guidance laid out by the Care Act (2014).
Equalities implications: An Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) has been carried out. There should be no negative impact on those with protected characteristics as the aim of this tender is to improve on an existing day opportunities contract. Data Protection implications: No Data Protection Impact Assessment is required.