The Interim Assistant Director, Integrated Services and Commissioning, Wirral Council presented the report of the Director of Adults, Health and Strategic Commissioning which outlined the co-production activity to procure and award the Early Intervention, Prevention and Carers Support service which was due to end on 1 March 2027 after the current contract extension. The report described the co-production and co-design work that would be undertaken during the extension period to prepare a new specification for a new service and requested that the award of the contract for the new service (in 2026) was delegated to the Director of Adults, Health, and Strategic Commissioning.

Some of the services that the commission currently delivered included support for older people, mental health support, support for carers and support for people with visual or hearing impairment and support for people with long term conditions. It was highlighted that under the Care Act 2014 Wirral Council were required to provide early intervention to support not only to those people who were eligible for care but also to those who were on the cusp of needing care under the Care Act. The service was very well supported and the risk of removing an early intervention service was that people may require services from the Council earlier and at a higher level.

Members asked about the projected costs of the service, national insurance and minimum wage increases and whether the projected funding took into account demand increases.

Resolved - That

1. The re-specification and commissioning of a new Early Intervention, Prevention and Carers Support Service using co-production and co-design processes with people who use the service, their families and supporters be approved.

2. The carrying out of a procurement process and award of the contract for new service, to start in 2027, be delegated to the Director of Adults, Health, and Strategic Commissioning at an indicative cost of £2,362,847 per year.