Purpose

This report sets out a proposal to provide financial support to providers of adult social care who contract with Lancashire County Council. This proposal utilises specific government funding, which has been provided to ensure both adult social care market sustainability and to support the NHS to safely discharge people home from hospital or to avoid admissions.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the requirements of Standing Order C21 have been complied with. Compliance with Standing Orders C19 and C20 was not possible due to the decision on the overall use of Discharge funding only being made recently through external NHS governance, and the urgency of the support required by the care market in order for providers to utilise the monies to maintain support levels and meet demand for care and support.

Decision

Cabinet approved the recommendation(s) as set out in the report.

This decision should be implemented immediately for the purposes of Standing Order C28(3) as any delay could adversely affect the execution of the county council's responsibilities. The reason for this is to support adult social care provider sustainability during the winter period, in order to support safe discharge from hospital, and to prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital. It is therefore vital that providers can receive any agreed funding as soon as possible.