his project will deliver a short-term recommissioning of Extra Care Housing (ECH) care services across six schemes currently provided by Order of St John Care (OSJ), following OSJ’s decision to withdraw from the service. The current arrangements cannot guarantee service continuity beyond March 2027, requiring the Council to put in place an interim solution.
The project will design and procure a 2–3 year, like-for-like care contract to ensure continuity of care, resident safety, and operational stability while maintaining alignment with the Council’s longer-term ECH recommissioning through the Live Well at Home programme from 2028. The work includes confidential market engagement, development of tender documentation, mobilisation planning, and transition management, including TUPE and provider exit arrangements
The estimated contract value will be confirmed following confidential market engagement and completion of the procurement process. The proposed arrangement is for a 2–3 year, like-for-like interim contract to ensure continuity of care across six Extra Care Housing schemes (in excess of £2M)
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: - Capital Expenditure > £2m;
Decision status: For Determination
Notice of proposed decision first published: 01/04/2026
Explanation of anticipated restriction:
N/A
Decision due: 16 Jun 2026 by Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Adults
Lead member: Cabinet Member for Adults
Lead director: Director of Adult Social Care
Contact: Jake Finlay, Project Manager.
Consultation process
This project does not involve a formal public consultation. Engagement will focus on residents, staff, housing partners, and providers at the appropriate stages, reflecting the commercially sensitive and time-critical nature of a like-for-like recommissioning to ensure continuity of care
Consultees
Workforce and Provider Stakeholders
Order of St John Care Trust (OSJ) – incumbent provider (exit and transition planning, TUPE)
OSJ ECH staff affected by TUPE transfer (engaged later in the process)
Potential ECH care providers (via confidential market engagement led by procurement)
Housing and Partnership Stakeholders
BPHA – housing provider for the six ECH schemes (alignment on delivery and mobilisation)
Oxfordshire Care Partnership (OCP) stakeholders where relevant to contractual interfaces
Internal Council Stakeholders
Adult Social Care Commissioning and Operations (including ECH operational leads)
Commercial & Procurement Services (market testing, tendering, contract award)
Finance / S151 representatives (affordability, value for money, governance sign-off)
Legal Services (procurement route, TUPE, contract terms)
Communications and Engagement Team (resident and staff communications at the appropriate stage)
Plan Reference: 2026/086
Reason No Public Access: None