The Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Adults meeting is scheduled to consider a recommendation regarding the recommissioning of the Adult Short Breaks service. This service, formerly known as the Learning Disability Respite Service, aims to provide support for individuals with learning disabilities and their carers.

Adult Short Breaks Service

The primary item scheduled for discussion is the recommissioning of the Adult Short Breaks service. This service is designed to offer planned, time-limited, or emergency care to support people with learning disabilities and their carers, providing them with a break from each other and their caring responsibilities. The service also aims to offer opportunities for individuals to socialise with peers. The report indicates that the service model and budget scope were previously agreed by the Cabinet Member on 16 July 2024.

The report outlines that the council has issued a tender for a replacement service, inviting providers to bid for the provision of care in properties owned or leased by the council. The sum made available in the tender was up to £1,198,880.00 per annum, with an additional sum allocated for accommodation and annual property maintenance costs, bringing the total budget to £1,298,880.00. The proposed contract would be for five years, with an option to extend for a further three years, commencing on 1 October 2026.

The Adult Short Breaks service has been co-designed and co-produced through engagement workshops involving individuals with lived experience, families, carers, and other stakeholders. This collaborative approach aims to ensure the service is person-centred and meets diverse needs. The redesigned model will be delivered from three properties, totalling 15 beds, which are either leased or owned by Oxfordshire County Council. The council will manage these properties, covering lease and annual maintenance costs, while the service provider will be responsible for utility and other related costs as part of the contract. The recommissioned sites are planned to be rebranded and refurbished.

The service will support individuals with learning disabilities who may have co-existing conditions such as mental health conditions, physical disabilities (including degenerative conditions, sensory impairment, and brain injury/neurological conditions), and autism. The report highlights that the council is in the process of acquiring two of the three sites that will be used for the service.

The report references the Care Act 2014¹, which establishes the statutory duty for the council to provide adult respite care. Specifically, Section 2 of the Act recognises a carer's right to have their needs assessed and supported, including access to respite care for their own well-being. Section 18 of the Act requires local authorities to consider respite care during needs assessments for either the cared-for person or their carer, and Section 10 mandates carer's assessments. Section 20 places a duty and power on local authorities to meet a carer's needs for support where they qualify through an assessment. The provision of respite care is also seen as supporting the principle of prevention under the Care Act, enabling carers to continue providing support for longer.

The council's Strategic Plan is mentioned, with priorities including 'Prioritise the health and wellbeing of residents' and 'Support carers and the social care system.' The Adult Short Breaks service is presented as aligning with these priorities by supporting adults with disabilities and their carers. The council's consultation and engagement strategy, which aims to place residents at the heart of decision-making, has informed the design of this new service.

The report also details the locations of the current Respite Service, which will be used for the future Adult Short Breaks Service: 43 Saxon Way in Oxford (currently owned by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, with Oxfordshire County Council in the process of acquiring it), Woodview at 97 Wantage Road in Didcot (owned by Oxfordshire County Council), and 69 Neithrop Avenue in Banbury (owned by Bromford Housing Group Limited, with Oxfordshire County Council in the process of acquiring it).

The recommendation to be considered is that the Cabinet Member agrees to delegate the decision to award the contract for the Adult Short Breaks Service to the Director of Adult Social Care.