Decision

That authority be
delegated to the Director of Adult and Community Services in
consultation with the Director of Finance and Cabinet Member for
Adult and Community Services to award contracts to successful
bidders on the Community Wellbeing Contract procurement.

Reasons for the decision

An integrated service
contract would incorporate an alternative ‘front door’
for adult social care in Torbay by ensuring where appropriate
people’s support needs are met by community based and led
organisations within Torbay.

Alternative options considered

The following alternative options were considered
and discounted:

 
Option 1: carry on
with individual separate contracts/ temporary funding grants for
each of the functions within scope of this procurement. This option
has been discounted as it:
 

        
i.       
Reduces the positive impact an integrated service
offer would have;

      
ii.       
Increases the demand for contract management
resources from within the Council

     
iii.       
Reduces the efficiencies a potential provider can
achieve through having a larger more integrated offer.

     
iv.       
Reduces the ability of organisations to retain staff
and effectively manage an effective service that supports the
preventative purpose of this work.

 
Option 2: cease the
provision of a community-based support offer in Torbay. This option
was discounted due to:
 

        
i.       
The need to find ways to effectively support and
prevent escalation of need for our citizens. With growing demand
for Adult Social Care services there is a requirement to ensure we
are meeting our prevention duties under the Care Act (2014) and
maximise efficiencies within our system whilst maintaining quality
levels of care.

      
ii.       
Pilot work has demonstrated the ability of our
Voluntary, Community, Social Enterprise partners in Torbay to
effectively provide support to individuals within their own
communities in Torbay and improve independence and wellbeing. This
effectiveness not only reduces immediate costs but also supports
future cost avoidance.

 
Option 3: shorter
duration of contract – for example a 12month only contract.
This option was discounted due to:
 

        
i.       
The need for a secure preventative and ‘front
door’ offer for Adult Social Care – this forms part of
wider transformation work within Adult Social Care – a longer
term more secure provision will ensure that this contract can be
embedded and worked into wider system transformation
work.

      
ii.       
The market had strongly indicated that shorter term
contracts are less attractive and also substantially impact on the
ability to efficiently deliver quality services that support the
overall objectives. Shorter term contracts increase the risk of a
failed procurement – this would have substantial impact on
the wider Adult Social Care transformation work
programme.