Decision details

Decision:

a) AWARD the contract for the Integrated Digital Assistive Technology Solution to Alcove; 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.

This project supports KCC’s strategic outcomes by supporting older and vulnerable residents to be safe and have choices to live independently. 

Making improvements to the way services are delivered in response to the COVID-19 crisis will help to realise the objectives within the Your Life, Your Wellbeing strategy 2016 – 2021. The strategy seeks to promote the independence of individuals whilst also committing to ‘make use of digital technology and innovation in the delivery of care and support and help services address challenges.’  

The project is to be delivered at pace in order to support the response to the current COVID-19 virus.  It is acknowledged that the available workforce may diminish, and thus alternative solutions need to be readily available in order to support priority groups to enable staff to deliver on the Local Authority strategic responsibilities. There are both public health protection benefits and continuity of service benefits to vulnerable older people resulting from the proposed roll out of this service and technology.

Options

To keep the older and vulnerable people in Kent safe within their own homes during the Coronavirus outbreak, several options were considered:

·         Option 1 – Continue as-is

·         Option 2 – Utilise a non-technological solution 

·         Option 3 - Utilise all existing technology available (telecare analogue kit)

·         Option 4 – Purchase an integrated digital assistive technology solution

·         Option 5 – Purchase an integrated digital assistive technology solution that can be installed remotely

Each option was evaluated in terms of Strengths and Weaknesses, and opportunities and Threats. See full business case for details.

Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health agrees to:

a) AWARD the contract for the Integrated Digital Assistive Technology Solution to Alcove; 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.