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.
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: 04/04/2023
Decision due: Not before 3rd May 2023 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: Helen Gillivan, Head of Business Delivery Unit 03000 418941.
Consultees
Formal consultation has not been undertaken as this is not
required. However, surveys and workshops have been undertaken to
capture the views of people, organisations and social care and
health professionals in Kent to understand the opportunities,
interest, and the need for this type of support. A co-production
Group was established to ensure that the service is built on the
requirements of people currently drawing on care and support and
people who may do so in the future; the co-production Group has
actively participated at every stage of the procurement and has
shaped market engagement activities, the development of the Build
and Test and the service specification for the countywide
Technology Enabled Care Service.
The proposed decision was discussed at the Adult Social Care
Cabinet Committee meeting on 17 May 2023.
Financial implications: Financial modelling has been undertaken based on extensive market consultation and engagement with local authorities who have implemented Technology Enabled Care services. The financial model assumes that a certain proportion of people will transfer from existing technology services into the new contract and explores a number of scenarios based on different service growth over the proposed life of the contract. The Technology Enabled Care Service will grow over the life of the contract so that 50% of people entering Adult Social Care will receive some form of Technology Enabled Care as part of their care and support by year five of the contract. The lifetime value of the contract over the initial five years, including the two-year extension option, has been modelled as £27,585,392. The entire cost is revenue cost, as under the proposed model KCC will lease technology devices from the provider rather than purchasing devices which potentially have a short lifecycle.
Legal implications: Technology Enabled Care will be a tool to support the Adult Social Care and Health Directorate to deliver its requirements to promote wellbeing and preventing, delaying or reducing needs under the Care Act 2014, and support the delivery of Framing Kent’s Future. Legal implications have been identified in relation to data processing and data management across a range of technological devices and systems. Legal advice has been obtained to develop the DPIA and ensure the service will be compliant with the Data Protection Act 2018.
Equalities implications: A full Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) has been undertaken and has determined that the Technology Enabled Care Service is not expected to have a significant negative impact on any protected characteristic. The EQIA identified an action to ensure Technology Enabled Care is promoted widely and in a way that is accessible to all individuals and communities in Kent. The EQIA will be updated once a provider is appointed.