Decision Maker:

Outcome: For Determination

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: April 7, 2025

Purpose:

Content:   RESOLVED:   1.  Agree to approve the appointment of the providers listed in Exempt Appendix 1, who have passed the Supplier Questionnaire (“SQ”) and to admit the minimum quality score suppliers to the DPS for the Lot that they applied Emergency Accommodation CPIC Contract Award Report for and were evaluated against. The DPS shall commence on the 5th May 2025 for a period of up to 3 years (2+1) with a total maximum expenditure of £4.38M. 2.  Agree that the Assistant Director of Adults Social Care Commissioning is granted delegated authority for the admission of any future providers who submit a bid response and are evaluated in line with the process as outlined in this report. 3.  Agree that the subsequent routes and ad-hoc journey requirements and the associated spend are approved as per the scheme of delegation in the individual teams.     Reason(s) For Decision   The original business case set out 4 options. The recommended option, agreed at the business case stage, was the creation of a DPS. This option offered the following benefits:   For the person who needs the service ·  The individual client gets a greater choice of service or the service can be matched to their needs e.g. accessible bathrooms or close to significant cultural communities or places to worship. ·  Placed in a safe environment where basic quality checks have been completed, meaning less risk to the Council.   For Providers ·  Opportunity to see all potential business via the e-brokerage system ·  Regular fixed income ·  New business to those not already engaged ·  Fair access to business opportunities   For London Borough of Hackney ·  List of accredited emergency accommodation, ensuring quality, safety and value for money. ·  A greater choice of the different types of accommodation to meet clients needs ·  Know what is being purchased against the outcomes and needs ·  Ensures that LBH obtains best value and maintains a sustainable market.     Success Criteria / Key Drivers / Indicators   The business case proposed the following success criteria   ·  Fixed rates for daily; weekly; monthly and annual bookings ·  Reduction in fees ·  Increase number of providers offering a service ·  Savings ·  Accommodation available with agreed quality and safety standards   The first round of appointments to the DPS has already achieved:   ·  3 Offers of fixed Annual and 6 month rates for a total of 128 number of beds ·  In all 3 submissions significant reductions from both the average cost we are paying of £773 (Main provider 1 - with a high of £1190 and a low of £525) and £581 (Main provider 2 - with a high of £650 and  a low of £525) ·  3 new providers ·  All 3 meet our new agreed quality and safety standards ·  Added social value commitments from the selected providers   This report asks CPIC to approve the appointment of the suppliers listed in Exempt Appendix 01 to the Emergency Accommodation DPS. Created under the Public Contracts Regulations (PCR) 2015, a DPS remains open to new members for the period of validity, and the Council is required to consider any applications to join that are received in a timely manner.  CPIC is therefore also asked to approve the appointment of any subsequent suppliers that apply to join and meet the eligibility criteria.   Section 8(1) of the Care Act specifies that a person’s care and support needs can be met by the provision of any type of accommodation. Therefore, adult social care is not restricted to providing only residential care or supported accommodation under the Care Act.   The preferred option, agreed at Business Case stage, (Option 4 below), was to  procure a DPS under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR) via the light touch regime. Providers would be admitted onto the DPS after having been evaluated as adhering to the required legal and quality standards and financial parameters. Providers then sign up to a set of overarching Terms & Conditions which govern the way they will operate, as well as set out a floor and ceiling rate for fees and other standardised fee rates.   Joining the DPS is not a guarantee of work. The Adults Social Cares Brokerage team will use the DPS to place individuals with the most appropriate provider. Each service user is placed in accordance with their care plan which stipulates  the needs of the individual.    Alternative Options Considered and Rejected   Option 1   Do nothing This does not represent good value for money, leaves the Council open to challenge and means we have no contracts with providers. Option 2   Insource The council does not have the required property to offer this type of emergency accommodation. Option 3   Direct award This would give some way to providing contracts and would reduce the likelihood of a procurement challenge. However, it is difficult to prove that we will get the best value for money as this does not create a climate of competition or allow new providers to provide competitive services. Option 4 (approved to procure at business case stage)   DPS This is our preferred option as it creates competition, increases the availability of more providers and will offer the next value for money.