To approve the award of new contracts for the provision of Older Persons Residential and Older Persons’ Nursing Care from 4 April 2016 and approve the final County Council Guide Prices for 2016-17.
The proposed decision meets the objectives of ‘Increasing Opportunities, Improving Outcomes: Kent County Council’s Strategic Statement (2015-2020)’:
· Older and vulnerable residents are safe and supported with choices to live independently
· Families and carers of vulnerable and older people have access to the advice, information and support they need
· Older and vulnerable residents feel socially included
· Residents have greater choice and control over the health and social care they receive
Financial Implications
The provisional Guide Prices did not include the impact of the introduction of the National Living Wage (NLW). In-depth analysis has been undertaken to understand the impact of the NLW on the residential care market (along with other sectors of Adult Social Care) and this has now adjusted the provisional Guide Prices as follows:
· Residential: £373.51
· Residential High: £455.45
· Nursing: £504.73
· Nursing High: £530.28
Providers were asked to submit their price either at the Council’s published Provisional Guide Price or above that price. Where the price is above the provisional guide price, an undertaking was given that those prices would be adjusted to the final Guide Prices for 2016. This should be extended to any prices that were above the Council’s provisional guide price but are below the actual Guide Prices so that the minimum price for tendered providers are not below the Guide Prices for 2016.
Work is required to uplift prices for client services where a contract is signed by the provider so that:
· any individual below the new Guide Price will be increased to the new Guide Price for the placement category so long as the provider joins the framework and accepts the contracts terms and conditions
· all contract prices for existing clients that are above the new Guide Prices will not receive a corresponding increase but will need adjustment for the impact of the National Living Wage and inflation
· Where there is a third party contribution, the third party contribution will be adjusted (reduced/removed) to account for any increase in guide price
The Registered Nursing Care Contribution funded to Nursing Homes for the nursing element of the service is under review by the NHS. The rates shown are for the Social Care contribution only
Legal Implications
Although the council has set its Guide Prices, the design of the contract is for the market to set an indicative (not to exceed) price when joining. Underlying sustainability of the social care market for older people is a key factor when analysing the costs of care.
Equality Impact Assessment
An Equality Impact Assessment has been undertaken for the implementation of the new contracts and a copy is available on request.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Affects more than two Electoral Divisions;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Division affected: (All Division);
Notice of proposed decision first published: 22/02/2016
Anticipated restriction: Part exempt - View reasons
Explanation of anticipated restriction:
the supporting documentation will include commercially-sensitive information
Decision due: Not before 22nd Mar 2016 by Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
Reason: in order that the proposed decsiion can be published for a minimum of 28 days, in accordance with statutory requirements
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
Lead director: Mark Lobban
Department: Social Care, Health & Wellbeing
Contact: Christy Holden, Head of Children's Commissioning 03000 415356.
Consultation process
In September 2015, the Adult Social Care and Health Cabinet Committee agreed to the decision being taken outside the committee cycle so that the contracts can be awarded by 4 April 2016 and that providers have the certainty of the final published County Council Guide Prices for 2016-17.
The proposed decision was discussed at the Adult Social Care and Health Cabinet Committee on 10 March 2016 and the outcome of this will be included in the decision paperwork which the Cabinet Member will be asked to sign.
Consultation was undertaken with residential and nursing care home providers before and throughout the procurement process. A series of consultation events were held in July 2015, followed by a tender workshop in October 2015. Questions and queries from providers were addressed via the Kent Business Portal.
Financial implications: Christy Holden, Head of Strategic Commissioning, Accommodation Solutions 03000 415356 Christy.holden@kent.gov.uk
Legal implications: 15/00089a