Purpose

This report seeks to approve the procurement of a new fully resigned and innovative Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Service for a period of 5 years, with an option to extend for a further 1+1 years, from 1st April 2027, or the earliest implementation date. The proposal is to support the embedding of a redesigned and outcome focussed ‘TEC First’ approach across all Adult Social Care services.

Decision

For the reasons set out in this report, it is recommended to:

1)    Grant approval for the Council to undertake a procurement exercise for a supplier of a fully redesigned Technology Enabled Care (TEC) service for a period of up to 5 years with the option to extend for a period of up to two years

Alternative options considered

In September 2025, a formal and robust Options Appraisal was carried out leading to the development of a detailed Business Case to explore and recommend the most appropriate way forward with any redesign of the TEC service for Liverpool. During this review, three options were considered:

·       Option 1 – do nothing baseline, representing the current position with a traditional prescriber model service, primarily offering services to older people.

·       Option 2 – service enhancement (prescriber model) building on the current service with a more robust approach to service transformation and development

·       Option 3 – service transformation (outcomes focused model) a new outcomes focused service providing additional transformation benefits.

The review assessed the extent to which each option met the critical success factors (CSF) as defined by the TEC project board. Members of the TEC project board then scored each of the options before determining that Option 3: Service Transformation, as the preferred option, scoring the highest against CSF’s. This would deliver a strengthened approach to service transformation and development, more able to support a broader range of individuals, including those with more complex needs. As an Outcome focussed approach, it would embrace the benefits of a prescriber model, enabling TEC to be mainstreamed effectively across social care within a TEC First approach.

Not proceeding with the procurement of a redesigned TEC service, therefore, is not seen as a viable option as that would fail to capitalise on the opportunity to embed a TEC First approach through a recommissioned service, as outlined in the Options appraisal and associated Business case. Nor would it align with the wider adult’s transformation and other strategic developments. Meaning the council does not realise the maximum benefits of a new service.

Furthermore, failure to recommission provision would leave vulnerable people without a modern, outcome focussed and effective monitoring service, after the existing contract expires in March 2027. This would therefore place those individuals at risk and the Council potentially at risk of not meeting our statutory duties under Section 18 of the Care Act 2014.