Purpose

To seek Cabinet Member approval to:

a)    Undertake a strategic review of Adult Social Care’s low-level support offer for people with mental ill health.

b)    Develop and deliver a statutory consultation process to inform future service delivery and commissioning arrangements.

c)     Note that a further report will be submitted to Cabinet following conclusion of the consultation, including a full Equality Impact Assessment.
 

Decision

That the Cabinet Member for Adult Care approves the following:

1)    Approve the proposals for a strategic review of Adult Social Care’s low-level support offer for people with mental ill health;

2)    Approve the delivery of a consultation process to inform recommendations for future service delivery and commissioning arrangements; and

3)    Note that a further report will be submitted to Cabinet following conclusion of the consultation, including a full Equality Impact Assessment.

Reasons for the decision

1)    To ensure that the Council achieves the identified aims and ambitions of the Adult Social Care and Public Health Prevention Strategy 2025-27.

2)    To ensure that feedback from stakeholders is included in plans to ensure proactive prevention providing more opportunities to support people to live their best lives via a person-centred, strengths-based approach that prevents further needs escalating.

3)    Formal consultation is required before any changes are made to the way support is delivered,  to understand the views of people who draw on current low-level support and wider key stakeholders.  Consultation for eight weeks is proposed to ensure the Council has sufficient time to carry out a robust consultation exercise and carefully consider the outcome of that consultation before any subsequent decisions are made.

4)    A further report will be submitted to Cabinet following the conclusion of the consultation if approved to ensure that Cabinet is fully informed of the outcomes of the consultation and Equality Impact Assessment, before it makes a decision regarding future proposals.

Alternative options considered

1)    Option 1 – Do nothing - let current contracts end without review and continue providing the in-house service without review.

The Council could let current contracted provision expire in March 2027 and not extend arrangements beyond this time without carrying out consultation and continue to deliver the in-house service without review. This option is not recommended as local authorities have a statutory duty to consult, with the common law duty of fairness applying, when   considering changes to the way eligible needs under the Care Act are met, including the duty to prevent the escalation of care needs. Failure to meet these obligations would leave the Council vulnerable to legal challenge and reputational damage.

2)    Option 2 – Re-tender current provision without review.

The Council could choose to go out to tender for replacement contracts for a new low-level support offer for people with mental ill health to replace those that are due to end without carrying out a consultation process. This is not recommended because the Council wishes to review all provision currently provided to ensure a robust understanding of what works well and to identify any gaps or duplication in provision of support.