Decision details

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.

As Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Integrated Children’s Services), I:

a)    APPROVE the creation of the Dynamic Purchasing System for the delivery of Everyday Life Activities, Skills Development and Training Opportunities for People in the Community;

b)    APPROVE the opening of the Dynamic Purchasing System on a regular basis to enable new services to join the framework; and

c)    DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director Adult Social Care and Health and Corporate Director Children, Young People and Education, to take other relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, to implement the decision.