The Executive considered the outcome of a review into Home Care Services and agreed that:
· 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.