Issue - meetings

To consider the recommissioning of Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity (LDAN), Care Home, and Home Care services in Bath and North East Somerset.

Cllr Alison Born, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, introduced the report, moved the officer recommendation and made the following points:

·  The administration is committed to supporting vulnerable residents, especially those with learning disabilities, neurodiversity and autism (LDAN), and older people needing care.

·  Significant investment currently funds LDAN services, residential and nursing care, and home care, though many people also self-fund.

·  Contracts for these services are expiring, requiring re-commissioning, which is also an opportunity to modernise services and better meet changing needs.

·  Population growth and an ageing demographic mean that demand for services will increase.

·  New commissioning will focus on inclusion, personalisation, home-based care, technology and early intervention.

·  Service specifications will be redesigned through co-design with providers and service users ensuring that services are safe, effective, and aligned with the Council’s strategy.

Cllr Paul May seconded the motion and made the following points:

• The report demonstrates the benefits of coordinated commissioning, including better value for money, cost effectiveness, and clearer quality standards.

• Vulnerable children are well protected by legislation, but this changes at age 18 when they become adults under different laws.

• While independence is the aspiration, many vulnerable adults will still require care.  Re?commissioning aims to replace expensive and unreliable spot purchasing with coordinated plans that improve consistency and quality.

• A key challenge is balancing care versus cost, with standards to be set once proper commissioning criteria are established.  The current marketplace is highly fragmented, with many providers, limiting innovation and coordination.

• The existing system restricts the ability to deliver good value, effective, and responsive services tailored to individual needs.

• Quality Care Commission standards will become clearer after re?commissioning, with quality built into contracts and monitored by council officers.

• The proposal will bring greater professional discipline and improve outcomes for vulnerable adults in B&NES.

Cllr Joel Hirst stressed the importance of effective safeguarding.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

(1)  To agree that the Strategic Commissioning Hub will go out to the market to reprocure Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Services.

(2)  To agree that the Strategic Commissioning Hub will go out to the market to reprocure Care Home Services.

(3)  To agree that the Strategic Commissioning Hub will go out to the market to reprocure Home Care Services.

(4)  To grant delegated authority to the Director of Adult Social Care to approve contract awards in respect of the procurement activity cited above.