Purpose

To note the completion of the review of Extra
Care Housing (ECH), and to agree the recommendations related to the
re-modelling of future provision, including the decommissioning of
some lower-level provision. The report also details the proposed
re-procurement strategy for older people Extra Care across
Blackburn with Darwen.

Content

RESOLVED –
 
That the Executive Board:
 

1)   
Approve the remodelling plan for the existing Extra Care portfolio
in Blackburn with Darwen: i. Extra Care
Services at Kingsway, Spring Bank Court, Riverside Heights and
Albion Mill will have 24-hour background care with two core care
staff onsite. The funding model for each site will be for 10
dedicated daytime care hours plus two waking night staff, in
addition to individual costed care and support packages.
 ii. Extra Care Services at Pembroke Court will
support those who do not require 24-hour background care and will
have 10 dedicated daytime care hours, in addition to individual
costed care and support packages. No onsite overnight care will be
provided. Note: If demand for care changes these background hours
will be reviewed by commissioners.
 iii. The following will be decommissioned as Extra
Care Housing facilities; Lees Court, Hindle Court and Cotton
Spinners and the future use will be: - Lees Court and Hindle Court
– return to Sheltered Housing - Cotton Spinners – scope
for Mental Health Supported Living (subject to a separate
paper)
iv. As part of the
transitional plan, service users at Pembroke Court, Lees Court and
Hindle Court, will be offered a social care review which will
include how needs will continue to be met, through care and
telecare options.
 
2) Approve timescales for the
remodelling and decommissioned work - phased between August to
December 2024, following further consultation with tenants and
housing providers.
 
3) Approve the proposal to
reprocure all remaining Extra Care provision within one procurement
exercise. New Extra Care contracts to be awarded and commence by
8th November 2025.
 
4) Approve the decision to
reprocure Extra Care, based on the following procurement
strategy:
i. Undertake an open tender exercise to comply with
the Public Contracts Regulations and the Council’s Contract
and Procurement Procedure Rules.
 ii. Through the procurement exercise seek to award
contracts to two providers which focus on geographic areas i.e. one
provider for Blackburn and one provider for Darwen. This will be
built into the contract.
iii. Contracts to be for a
total of up to 7 years (3 years with extension options of 2 + 1 +
1) and to start from November 2025.
iv. The contract/s for extra
care services will include core background support, in addition to
individual costed care and support packages which are based on the
assessment of eligible needs.
v. The specification will
indicate the requirement for staff to have contracted hours, and to
work shifts rather than hours based on care undertaken i.e. staff
will not work on zero hours contracts.
vi. Nomination agreements
will be in place with all housing providers. vii. Pending timely
completion of the procurement exercise, a waiver may be required
for a short[1]term
extension, should there be any slippage (in addition to below).
 
5) Note that any future
Strategic Housing Needs Programme should actively focus on the
expansion of suitable housing provision for older people including
sheltered housing options. These future developments should include
developments which meet the diverse demographics of the ageing
population.
 
6) Give delegated authority
to the Strategic Director for Adults and Health, in consultation
with the Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health and the
Deputy Director for Legal and Governance, to conclude any
agreements necessary to facilitate the recommendations above.