The Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Adults meeting on Tuesday 16 June 2026 approved new frameworks for supported living and home care services. The meeting also addressed questions from a county councillor regarding these new arrangements.

Complex Needs Supported Living Contract

The Cabinet Member for Adults approved the tendering of a new contract for complex needs supported living services. This contract will be procured via a mini-competition through the Live Well Supported Services Framework Lot 2. Authority was delegated to the Director for Adult Social Services to award and enter into the contract once the procurement process is complete.

This new contract aims to improve outcomes for adults with a learning disability and/or autism who have complex needs and are at risk of hospital admission. It will provide more specialist, in-county supported living options, allowing individuals to live closer to their families and support networks. The model is designed to be less restrictive than hospital or out-of-county placements, while ensuring safety and well-being. The contract will include clear quality requirements, regular monitoring, and a support model based on strengths, independence, and least restrictive practices. Success will be measured by various outcomes, including the number of people moved into suitable accommodation, reductions in avoidable admissions, and feedback from individuals, families, and professionals.

Councillor Imade Edosomwan asked how the new contract would improve outcomes and what measures would be used to assess its success. Councillor Rebekah Fletcher, Cabinet Member for Adults, explained that the contract would increase the availability of specialist support within Oxfordshire, enabling people to live in self-contained accommodation with their own front door. She detailed the measures for success, which include tracking individuals moving from hospital or out-of-county placements, reductions in avoidable admissions, evidence of increased independence, and quality assurance through contract meetings and feedback.

Staying Well At Home Framework Model

The meeting also approved the procurement of a new successor framework for the delivery of statutory home care and reablement services, to be known as the Staying Well at Home (SWAH) framework. This new framework will replace the current Live Well at Home (LWAH) framework, which expires in March 2027, and will run for up to eight years until 2035.

The SWAH framework will build on the successes of the LWAH model, which has been effective in supporting hospital discharges and promoting independence. However, the review of LWAH identified areas for improvement, including the need to right-size provider capacity, enhance quality, and streamline internal processes. The new SWAH model aims to address these by organising providers into two tiers: Tier 1 for responsive and specialist services in local zones, and Tier 2 for additional capacity across the county. It will also introduce higher quality thresholds for providers, requiring them to have an Oxfordshire-based office and support a range of needs, including dementia, learning disability, autism, and mental health.

Furthermore, the SWAH framework will include integrated commissioning arrangements with the Thames Valley Integrated Care Board (ICB) for home care services. This will allow the Council to broker and contract homecare on behalf of the ICB under their Section 75 NHS Act Pooled Commissioning Agreement. This integrated approach aims to create a unified contracting and purchasing model, consistent pricing, and stronger quality oversight, leading to improved experiences and continuity of care for residents. The projected annual spend for the SWAH framework is estimated at £78.8 million over its eight-year term.

Councillor Imade Edosomwan also raised a question about the safeguards being put in place to ensure continuity and quality of care during the transition from the LWAH to the SWAH framework. Councillor Rebekah Fletcher stated that the Council prioritises continuity of care and is developing a mobilisation plan to ensure a smooth transition. Where individuals are already receiving care from providers who successfully bid for the new framework, their contracts will be transferred. For those receiving care from providers who do not join the new framework, contracts will be managed on a case-by-case basis, with individual choice and continuity of care being considered. The Council will work closely with providers to ensure quality is not affected during and after the transition.

Questions from County Councillors

Two questions were received from Councillor Imade Edosomwan, which were addressed by Councillor Rebekah Fletcher, Cabinet Member for Adults. These questions related to the new Complex Needs Supported Living contract and the Staying Well at Home Framework Model, as detailed above.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 16 December 2025, were approved as a correct record.