Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Adult Social Care & Public Health

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/006

Contact: Rachel Pirie, Lead for Older People Commissioning Markets Tel: 07917 534410

Report by Director for Adult Services (CA8).

The Care Act places a duty on the Council to maintain an efficient and effective care market for the population of Oxfordshire, including people funding their own care

Between Autumn 2016 – Spring 2017 five home care agencies in Oxfordshire exited the care market. In order to explore this issue in more detail full council passed a motion asking officers to explore the feasibility of establishing a small flexible home care service

A comprehensive review of all options has been undertaken ranging from the Council becoming a large provider of home care, establishing a small home care service, to continuing with the status quo.

The report also reflects the work we have been doing locally and regionally to strengthen our assessment of the care market and ability to effectively respond when provider failure occurs.

Cabinet are asked to consider and agree the issues raised in this report and the recommendations to improve the capability and capacity of the home care market in Oxfordshire.

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to continue with the current care purchasing and provision arrangements and whilst doing so it also commits to:

(i)        support and develop the home care market by creating a new partnership model;

(ii)      developing alternative models of home care;

(iii)     improving outcomes for people receiving reablement and reviewing our arrangements for contingency.

Recommendations agreed.

The Care Act places a duty on the Council to maintain an efficient and effective care market for the population of Oxfordshire, including people funding their own care

Between Autumn 2016 – Spring 2017 five home care agencies in Oxfordshire exited the care market. In order to explore this issue in more detail full council passed a motion asking officers to explore the feasibility of establishing a small flexible home care service

A comprehensive review of all options has been undertaken ranging from the Council becoming a large provider of home care, establishing a small home care service, to continuing with the status quo.

Cabinet considered a report on the work of the review. The report also reflected the work done locally and regionally to strengthen the Council’s assessment of the care market and ability to effectively respond when provider failure occurs.

Councillor Laura Price, Opposition Deputy Leader whilst disappointed not to be welcoming new home care provision welcomed the wide-ranging nature of the report. She referred to reablement provision as a core element of the offer and highlighted the need for details. Councillor Price hoped that the report would be the start of something and that the door was not closed to taking a more innovative look.

Councillor Lawrie Stratford, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Public Health, introduced the contents of the report, thanking Council for the motion that had led to the report. Councillor Stratford highlighted the challenges in the current market and in moving the recommendations he commended the proposals.

During discussion Cabinet welcomed the proposals. In response to questions members were advised that the proposals were not aimed at undercutting or disturbing existing partners who were doing an excellent job. However, there was a challenge around obtaining sufficient hours and there was a need to work together to move away from being so transactional.

RESOLVED:            to continue with the current care purchasing and provision arrangements and whilst doing so it also commits to:

(a)      support and develop the home care market by creating a new partnership model;

(b)      developing alternative models of home care;

(c)       improving outcomes for people receiving reablement and reviewing our arrangements for contingency.