Councillor Rebekah Fletcher, Cabinet Member for Adults, approved extensions to several key care frameworks, ensuring continuity of service for vulnerable residents. Decisions were made regarding the Safe Space Host Provider contract, the Care Home Framework, and the Live Well at Home Framework.

Safe Space Host Provider Contract

A new contract for the Safe Space Host Provider was approved for tendering through a mini-competition. This service is designed to offer flexible support to adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults who are on, or require consideration through, the Dynamic Support Register, aiming to help them stay well and safe in the community. Authority was delegated to the Director of Adult Social Care to award and enter into the contract. Additionally, the Director of Adult Social Care, in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Director of Law and Governance, was given authority to vary the existing Section 75 Agreement between Oxfordshire County Council and Thames Valley Integrated Care Board to formalise partner funding and governance arrangements. It was noted that local government reorganisation will be managed as a dependency throughout the legal, finance, procurement, governance, contract, and transition planning stages before contract award and mobilisation. The estimated seven-year contract value is £5,163,733.26, with an annual operating budget of £845,900, funded equally by Oxfordshire County Council, Thames Valley Integrated Care Board, and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Care Home Framework Extension

The Care Home (Light Touch) Framework was extended to 30 June 2029, along with the call-off contracts for Short Stay Hub beds. This extension was recommended as the framework is working effectively, providing continuity and value for money, and reducing reliance on spot purchasing. It also avoids the need for a major procurement exercise during the period of Local Government Reorganisation. The framework supports adults who require a care home placement, jointly developed by the Council and the Integrated Care Board. The extension aims to provide continuity for residents, providers, and system partners during the transition to new local government structures.

Live Well at Home Framework Extension

The current Live Well at Home (LWAH) framework was extended to 31 March 2028. This extension is a precautionary measure to maintain continuity of care and ensure the lawful sourcing of domiciliary care and reablement services beyond March 2027, while the Council reviews the implications of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) for future service arrangements. The LGR decision has led to a pause in the procurement of the proposed Staying Well at Home (SWAH) model to allow for a review of future service design, demand, provider capacity, lot structure, and geographical zones. The LWAH framework covers reablement and homecare following hospital discharge, long-term homecare following community referral, and care elements for Extra Care Housing. The extension will allow for a more considered approach to future commissioning routes, avoiding a rushed procurement during a period of significant local government change. The Council also approved the decision to start the SWAH procurement process with a revised timetable, with the award of the framework agreement delegated to the Director of Adult Social Care.