Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Supporting Adults)

This report summarises the work undertaken to review the current state of the Home Care market in respect of exploring the current cost pressures the sector is experiencing and the associated consequences and risks in managing the quality and sustainability of this provision. In addition it will provide some longer term recommendations to address the wider commissioning intentions of the Council and wider partners in particular the CCG.

The Executive is asked to comment on the contents of this report and agree the following recommendations:

•        The proposed increased hourly rate paid to accredited providers from 1 April 2016.

•        Support for a ‘Working in partnership’ approach with accredited providers to support the recruitment, retention and training of new and existing home care workers.

•        Link providers to the integrated locality teams, to improve relationships and responsiveness.

•        To review and amend the current contracting arrangements to ensure a robust, responsive and proactive approach to commissioning Home care in the future, including increased levels of responsibility for providers.

•        Review the practice of commissioning 15 minute calls, unless commissioned as an outcome- based package of care.

•        To continue to review current pressures experienced by providers taking into account the final settlement for social care locally and to incorporate where appropriate the work of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services’ North West Finance & Resources Group to clarify the potential scale of the financial impact of the National Living Wage on social care budgets across the region.

•        To develop a joint strategic commissioning strategy within the Stockport Together.

Officer contact: Vincent Fraga, 0161-474-4401, Vincent.fraga@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Adults) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the outcome of a review into the current state of the Home Care market including current cost pressures experienced within the sector and the associated consequences and risks in managing the quality and sustainability of this provision.

The Executive Councillor emphasised the crucial part played by Home Care Providers in the adult social care system and acknowledged the significant pressures on this sector, hence the recommendation of an increase in the rates and working with providers to support them in a range of areas.

RESOLVED – That in relation to the Home Care Services Review 2015/16 the following be approved:

·                the proposed increased hourly rate paid to accredited providers from 1 April 2016;

·                support to be given for a ‘Working in partnership’ approach with accredited providers to support the recruitment, retention and training of new and existing home care workers;

·                linking providers to the integrated locality teams, to improve relationships and responsiveness;

·                reviewing and amending the current contracting arrangements to ensure a robust, responsive and proactive approach to commissioning home care in the future, including increased levels of responsibility for providers;

·                reviewing the practice of commissioning 15 minute calls, unless commissioned as an outcome- based package of care;

·                continuing to review current pressures experienced by providers taking into account the final settlement for social care locally and to incorporate where appropriate the work of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services’ North West Finance & Resources Group to clarify the potential scale of the financial impact of the National Living Wage on social care budgets across the region;

·                developing a joint strategic commissioning strategy within the Stockport Together.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report details the outcome of a review that has been carried out into the cost of domiciliary care in the borough and outlines a number of proposals to develop the Council’s commissioning approaches in the supplier market for health and social care.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Vincent Fraga on 474 4401 or email: vincent.fraga@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the outcome of a review that had been carried out into the cost of domiciliary care in the borough and outlining a number of proposals to develop the Council’s commissioning approaches in the supplier market for health and social care.

The Executive Councillors for Supporting Adults (Councillor Keith Holloway) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         It was commented that the proposed increased hourly rate paid to accredited providers actually reinstituted the level of payment that was made by the Council in 2010.

·         It was queried whether the proposals would address the issues identified in the providers’ ’Fair price for Care’ report in respect of sufficient payment to cover travel and mileage payments and an ability to pay staff the minimum Living Wage.  It was responded that the proposed uplift constituted an improvement on the current level of payment and preliminary discussions with providers had suggested this would be difficult but were nonetheless promising.

·         Anecdotally, there was some evidence to suggest that providers prioritised self-funders over those that received packages of care from the Council.

·         Recruitment and retention within the sector remained a problem.

·         It was acknowledged that the proposals contained within the report were not the end point, but rather indicated the start of an ongoing process.

·         It was suggested that it would be useful for the Scrutiny Committee to engage in a discussion with some home care workers to talk about the future of home care work within the Borough.

RESOLVED – (1) That the Executive be recommended to give approval to the recommendations contained within the report.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be recommended to place an item on the agenda of a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee to facilitate a discussion on home care workers and that the Corporate Director for People be recommended to make arrangements for a representative sample of home care workers to attend the meeting to participate in the discussion.