Clarification of services commissioned from the Voluntary Sector for 2012/13 and the procurement process for 2013 and beyond.

The Interim Director of Adult Social Services reported upon the commitment of the Department of Adult Social Services towards the voluntary, community and faith sector and, in particular, the services which the Department recommended to be commissioned for 2012/2013.

He set out the background to funding, the current funding arrangements, the issues for consideration and the recommendations for the future, 2013 and beyond. He provided an update on changes to the current contract for intermediate care provision provided by voluntary sector and independent sector providers, which were being made in order to clarify the funding and quality assurance arrangements for services currently commissioned by the Department. The recommendations would enable the Department to make more robust commissioning arrangements for the future, which reflected the move towards personalisation and would enable the most effective delivery method for intermediate care.

Resolved – That the Cabinet agrees to:

(i)  Accept the VCF framework for commissioning.

(ii)  Complete the “needs analysis” described in 2.12.3 by 1 March 2012.

(iii)  Complete the “Total Resource Analysis” by 1 April 2012.

(iv)  Receive a further report early in the new municipal year based on analysis of the above findings.

(v)  Change the methodology used for funding older persons’ day services, towards accreditation and away from block funding.

(vi)  Use new service specifications for all services from 2012/13 onwards.

(vii)  Put all services worth in excess of £150,000 over the life of the contract out to tender for 2013 onwards.

(viii)  Agree the block contracts for intermediate care.