Decision details

Update on the February 2013 approvals - The Council continues to face significant budgetary challenges over the coming years and therefore needs to look at new and innovative approaches to deliver services whilst reducing the cost of provision and protecting the most vulnerable.  This report will update Cabinet on progress to date and seek approval for planned activity.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Older People and the Head of Transformation which provided details of the Adult Social Care Change Programme which aimed to develop a model for Sefton Council’s Adult Social Care (ASC) that was sustainable, modern and flexible, in the delivery of the four strategic priorities set out in the ASC Strategic plan 2013-20:

The strategic plan highlighted the Council’s commitment to safeguarding;

how the Council would focus resources on the most vulnerable; the need to work with our partners and the community; and the development of the market to deliver the required change.

Decision Made:

That:

(1)       it be noted that the changes associated with the Care Bill would be managed within the Adult Social Care Change Programme;

(2)       it be noted that £900,000, transferred from Health under Section 256 National Health Service Act 2006, would be invested to support the delivery of the new reablement pathway and increase the number of people being offered the benefit of reablement services;

(3)       officers be authorised to negotiate with New Directions the required variation in contract, subject to appropriate dialogue, so that the implementation of a payment by results arrangement for reablement activity would run in parallel to notice on the existing block contract arrangement:

(4)       the decision making process associated with respite be noted and officers be authorised to negotiate with New Directions the required variation in contract, subject to appropriate dialogue, so that when appropriate the new ways of working and associated commissioning would run in parallel to notice on the existing block contract arrangement;

(5)       the resource allocated to the delivery of the change programme be continued for a further 12 months from the Modernisation Fund;

(6)       the financial and other risks to the Council be noted;

(7)       the ongong consultation be noted and where appropriate, approval be given to commencement of consultation and engagement processes with service users, the community, partners, providers, key stakeholders, employees and Trade Unions;

(8)       officers be authorised to consult with care home providers on appropriate proposals for setting the Council’s Usual Cost of Care, within the context and constraints of available resources, as set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan and as agreed with the Council’s Section 151 Officer;

(9)       the Cabinet Member - Older People and Health be granted delegated authority to set the Council’s Usual Cost for 2013/14 and 2014/15 within the context and constraints of available resources, as set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan and as agreed with the Council’s Section 151 Officer, following conclusion of the consultation process

(10)     approval be given to the virement of £1.056m from the Housing Related Support budget to the Community Care budget, with effect from April 2014

(11)     the Contracts Procedure Rules be waived and approval given to the extension of existing Housing Related Support Contracts, for between 3-9 months (dependent upon the particular service and where a service is within the scope of another Council review, the timeline for that review) to enable the development of new Housing Related Support Commissioning Plans and subsequent Commissioning activity within the remaining budget available.

Reasons for Decision:

The Council had significant existing responsibilities for Adult Social Care (ASC) and invests considerable resources (£91 million per annum) into this service. The Adult Social Care Change Programme’s overall aim was to develop a model for Sefton Council’s Adult Social Care that is sustainable, modern and flexible, delivering the four strategic priorities as set out in the ASC Strategic Plan 2013-20 as approved in November 2013, and the delivery of the changes associated with the Care Bill.

New requirements, duties and responsibilities associated with the Care Bill wouldl be designed, developed and implemented from April 2015 with full implementation planned for April 2016. In the light of the timescale, breadth of changes and associated risks, it is important that the Council prepared for implementation despite of a lack of clarity about some of the key features.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Maintaining the status quo is not an option due to demographic and budgetary pressures and new legislation (Care Bill). The Council could wait for greater clarity in relation to the legislation before acting but this would pose significant risk that the Council would not be in a position to meet its statutory responsibilities when the Bill is enacted.