Decision details

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

a)    Approved the extension of the Learning Disabilities Framework to ensure North Northamptonshire remains compliant in its statutory responsibilities. Furthermore, that during the extension period elements of the contract be recommissioned to allow for stand-alone contracts, where appropriate;

b)    Delegated to the Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Executive Director of Adults, Health Partnerships and Housing (DASS), to take any decisions in relation to future call-off and mini-competitions from the contract; and

c)    Delegated to the Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, in consultation with the Executive Director of Adults, Health Partnerships and Housing (DASS), to take any further decisions and/or actions required in relation to recommissioning within the extension period to allow for stand-alone contracts.

Reasons for Recommendations:

·       This extension will ensure the Council continues to meet its Statutory duties under the Care Act 2014.

·       It will build on outcomes-based commissioning and further enhance the quality of the services and outcomes for individuals in the future.

·       Agreeing the extension enables the Council to:

a.    Maintain a pricing framework that is driven by the defined outcomes for individuals.

b.    Consider future accommodation requirements based on a housing needs analysis and the wider Housing Strategy (2024/25).

c.     Incorporate commissioning plans that are better informed by the Adult Social Care Strategy and the vision for strength-based approaches and more specifically co-production.

·       The extension is in the best interest of vulnerable people who have a learning disability living in North Northamptonshire and allows further time to co-produce a future service model that is reflective of and responsive to the people drawing on support services.

·       There will be no adverse effect to residents currently in receipt of services; continuity of care will be maintained.

·       Additional changes to the contract will be needed to build on the outcomes-based commissioning to date and further enhance the quality of the offers and outcomes for individuals over the extension period.

·       The Review identified potential areas of improvement to enhance the contract and in doing so address current budget pressures.

Alternative Options Considered: Alternative options were considered as part of the Review. These included taking no further action, resulting in the contract coming to an end in January 2025; recommissioning the service with a start date of January 2025; making use of the extension facility and recommissioning the framework to start in January 2030.