Councillor Rebekah Fletcher, Cabinet Member for Adults, approved the recommendation to delegate the decision to award a contract for the Adult Short Breaks Service to the Director of Adult Social Care. This service, formerly known as the Learning Disability Respite Service, will support individuals with learning disabilities and their carers.

Adult Short Breaks Service Contract

Councillor Rebekah Fletcher, Cabinet Member for Adults, approved the recommendation to delegate the decision to award the contract for the Adult Short Breaks Service to the Director of Adult Social Care. This service, which provides planned, time-limited, or emergency care for people with learning disabilities and their carers, will be delivered from three properties owned or leased by Oxfordshire County Council. The total budget for the service is £1,298,880 per annum, covering accommodation, maintenance, and service delivery costs. The contract will be for five years, with an option to extend for a further three years, commencing on 1 October 2026.

The Adult Short Breaks service has been co-designed with input from individuals with lived experience, their families and carers, and other stakeholders to ensure it is person-centred. The service aims to support people with learning disabilities who may have co-existing conditions such as mental health issues, physical disabilities, or autism. The recommissioned sites will be rebranded and refurbished.

The council's legal obligation to provide adult respite care is outlined in the Care Act 2014¹. This includes assessing and supporting carers' needs, with respite care being a consideration during needs assessments. The provision of respite care supports the Care Act's principle of prevention by helping carers to continue their caring roles for longer. The contract procurement followed the Council's Contract Procedure Rules and the Procurement Act 2023².

The decision aligns with the council's Strategic Plan priorities to Prioritise the health and wellbeing of residents and Support carers and the social care system. The service is intended to reduce inequalities in accessing support and services within Oxfordshire. There are no new or additional impacts on the council's workforce, although the successful bidder will manage TUPE arrangements for staff from the current Respite Services.

The current contract for the Respite Service was due to expire on 15 October 2023 but was extended to 30 September 2026. The three sites where the current service is delivered are: 43 Saxon Way in Oxford (currently being acquired by the council), Woodview at 97 Wantage Road in Didcot (owned by the council), and 69 Neithrop Avenue in Banbury (also being acquired by the council).

The decision to delegate the contract award was made to ensure a high-quality service is delivered within the specified financial envelope. The co-design process with service users is expected to enhance outcomes, and the model aims to reduce financial risks associated with high-cost out-of-area placements.