Decision details

On 23^rd January 2020, Social Services presented a report which outlined the proposal for a new approach to the commissioning arrangements for the future delivery of care at home (domiciliary care and sessional support) across adults and children’s services. This report set out a procurement timetable to have the new contracts and system in place by 4 November 2020. At this time, Cabinet approved to delegate authority to the Director of Social Services for all procurement decisions related to the re-commissioning of the new arrangements.

Due to the COVID 19 pandemic response, which required significant support and guidance for the social care sector from the local authority, the timescale for this piece of work needs to be extended.

Due to the significant change of the proposed procurement timeline, as well as changes in leadership within the Social Services directorate, it is appropriate that this recommendation is reviewed at Cabinet level.

RESOLVED: that

The Cabinet is recommended to:

1.            the procurement timeline approved by Cabinet in January 2020 that set out a November 2020 implementation date for new contracts be revised and agreement be given to extend this for a period till November 2021 at the latest to enable colleagues from the Commissioning and Procurement teams to re-engage with the sector as part of the previously planned consultation and test and learn sessions, and to complete of the Cost of Care exercise which is integral to the recommissioning exercise

2.            the extension of the current commissioning arrangements for Domiciliary Care, which uses a dynamic purchasing system entitled ‘Accredited Provider List for Domiciliary Care Services in Cardiff (‘AL’), be extended for a period of up to November 2021 to provide sufficient time for the new commissioning arrangements to be implemented to support the introduction of the new outcome –focused, locality –based domiciliary care model.  Subject to the agreement of the individual Providers concerned, the overarching agreements concluded between the Council and those providers appointed to the current APL will be extended to November 2021 at the very latest.

3.            authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of People and Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Social Care, Health &Well-being, Cabinet Member of Children and Families, the Section 151 Officer and the Director of Governance and Legal Services for all future procurement decisions relating to the new arrangements, including the outcome of the Cost of Care exercise and the related Fee Setting Strategy, award of contracts  and all associated matters.