Purpose

Provision of community equipment and assistive
technology including minor adaptations in H&F across Children's
Services and Adult Social Care.

Decision

The Deputy Leader in consultation with the
Executive Director for People’s Services approves
 

Appendix A and B is not for
publication on the basis that it contains information relating to
the financial or business affairs of any particular person
(including the authority holding that information) as set out in
paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as
amended).

 

A direct award to the
preferred provider for the provision of Telecare services from 1
August 2025 to 31 July 2026 with the option to extend for a further
one year.

 

The spot purchasing
of minor adaptations with the preferred provider from 1 August 2025
to 31 July 2026.

Reasons for the decision

Local authorities have a statutory duty under
various legislation including the Care Act 2014, and the Children
and Families Act 2014, to make arrangements for the provision of
disability aids and “community equipment”, to meet the
assessed eligible needs of individuals who are resident in their
area.
 
The provision of community equipment supports
residents to remain as independent as possible for as long as
possible and is both a statutory requirement and important in
delivering key strategic system priorities to support hospital
discharge and prevention.
 
The recommendations within this paper seek to
sustain the delivery of this service, ensuring continuity of
provision whilst a new service is mobilised.

Alternative options considered

The Council is required to secure alternative
provision. Not doing so, would result in failure to deliver
statutory services.
 
Officers considered delivering provision as an
in-house service, however there are significant challenges in
relation to this. However, we do not have the capacity to deliver
the urgent requirements of this service from 1st August
2025. It is highly complex and would pose a significant risk to the
safety of residents and patients in the delivery of these statutory
services.
 
Officers explored the most appropriate
procurement options on a pan-London, regional and local basis to
secure the continuity of provision.
 
Telecare
 
A provider expressed an interest in being able
to support the supply, installation, maintenance, repairs and
collection of telecare equipment in H&F. The provider has the
required expertise to deliver the service and delivers for other
London authorities in the region. This was determined the most
viable option in the short timeframe. A direct award of 1 year with
the option to extend for a further 1 year provides continuity of
provision and allows sufficient time to review the operating model
of the service and determine the medium-term requirements.
 
Minor
Adaptations
 
It is anticipated that minor adaptations will
be fulfilled once fully operational by the new community equipment
provider. In the interim an alternative provider has been
identified to fulfil the supply and installation of wall to floor
rails, grab rails, floor to floor rails, staircase enclosures,
ramps (bespoke), platforms, step adaptations, and thermoplastic
line marking. Requirements will be on a spot purchase basis and
there will be no guarantee of volume to the provider.