Purpose

To seeks approval to procure a new provider framework for supported living, outreach, and day opportunities services for adults, ensuring high-quality, person-centred provision that promotes independence and meets assessed needs.  The framework will include services that provide support for adults with learning disabilities, autism, and mental health conditions, as well as older adults. This will include provision for individuals with dementia within day opportunities services.

Decision

That the Portfolio Holder approves the procurement of a new framework for supported living, outreach, and day opportunities for adults.

Reasons for the decision

The key reasons for proposing to procure a single framework for supported living, outreach and day opportunities are that the current contracts for providers on the Complex Needs Dynamic Purchasing System and the Day Opportunities Framework Purchasing System are set to expire in 27/28. A single framework enables a whole-system approach, aligning Supported Living, Outreach, and Day Opportunities under one strategic model. It reduces fragmentation and ensures services are commissioned to deliver shared outcomes (e.g. independence, prevention, community inclusion). Given the increasing demands on social care and health provision and the financial challenges, there is a need to change the approach to commissioning, to ensure the right level of support can be offered to individuals and deliver positive outcomes and ensure value for money in the services commissioned.

Alternative options considered

Option

Impact

Risk

Recommission as separate frameworks 

Separate procurement exercises would mean more staff time with increased procurement and legal costs and ongoing contract management would be more resource-intensive (multiple contracts, KPIs, reporting processes).

This could lead to a fragmented and less responsive system, increasing administrative burden, limiting flexibility, and negatively impacting service user experience through disjointed pathways and reduced continuity of care.

No Recommission

This would mean that current contracts would lapse without replacement. This would not be a viable option as it could reduce engagement with providers to develop services locally

Providers don’t align services to new delivery models. More individuals placed out of area at high cost, reduced services within the borough, and reduction in quality of care and support by using providers who the council have no contractual relationship with.