The Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Adults meeting is scheduled to discuss proposals for a new Safe Space Host Provider contract, extensions to existing care home and live well at home frameworks, and the procurement of a new Staying Well at Home framework. These discussions are aimed at ensuring continued and improved support for adults with learning disabilities, autistic adults, and those requiring domiciliary care and reablement services.

Safe Space Host Provider Contract

A key item for discussion is the proposed tendering of a new Safe Space Host Provider contract. This contract is described as a vital component of Oxfordshire's support for adults with learning disabilities and autistic adults who are on, or require consideration for, the Dynamic Support Register. The service aims to provide additional, flexible support to help these individuals remain well and safe within their communities, potentially reducing the need for hospital admissions. The report outlines recommendations to tender this contract through a mini-competition using the Council's Live Well Supported Services Framework Lot 2, and to delegate authority for its award and entry into the contract to the Director of Adult Social Care. Furthermore, the report details the need to negotiate variations to the existing Section 75 Agreement between Oxfordshire County Council and Thames Valley Integrated Care Board to formalise partner funding and governance arrangements for the Safe Space service. The report also notes that local government reorganisation will be managed as a dependency throughout the planning and mobilisation phases.

Care Home Framework Extension

The meeting is also scheduled to consider the extension of the Care Home (Light Touch) Framework and associated Short Stay Hub Bed call-off contracts. The Care Home Framework is a joint initiative between the Council and the Integrated Care Board, providing a route for sourcing residential and nursing care placements for adults with assessed needs. The report suggests extending this framework to 30 June 2029, citing its effective operation, provision of continuity, and value for money. The extension is also seen as a way to avoid a major procurement exercise during the period of Local Government Reorganisation. Similarly, the call-off contracts for Short Stay Hub Beds, which support timely hospital discharge and admission avoidance, are proposed for extension to the same date to ensure continuity for individuals, providers, and system partners.

Live Well at Home Framework Extension and Staying Well at Home Procurement

The Cabinet Member is also set to consider the extension of the current Live Well at Home (LWAH) framework to 31 March 2028. This framework is used to source home care and reablement services, which are crucial for supporting individuals returning home from hospital, those requiring long-term care at home, and for reablement services aimed at regaining independence. The extension is proposed as a precautionary measure to ensure continuity of care while the Council reviews the implications of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) on future service design, demand, and provider capacity. The report notes that the procurement for a new Staying Well at Home (SWAH) framework, initially planned for April 2027, has been paused due to the LGR decision, necessitating the LWAH extension. The meeting will also address the decision to restart the SWAH procurement process with a revised timetable, with the award of the framework agreement to be delegated to the Director of Adult Social Care. The LWAH framework covers reablement and homecare following hospital discharge, long-term homecare following community referral, and care elements for Extra Care Housing. The proposed extension specifically relates to the reablement and homecare lots.

The report on the Live Well at Home framework extension also references a previous Cabinet paper from 16 June 2026, which outlined the rationale for developing the new SWAH model. This new model aims to improve outcomes, deliver better value, align capacity with demand, and strengthen quality requirements. The SWAH framework is intended to replace the LWAH framework, which expires in March 2027. The SWAH model proposes a tiered approach to providers, with Tier 1 providers focusing on responsive and specialist services in local zones, and Tier 2 providers offering additional capacity across Oxfordshire. It also aims to increase quality thresholds and simplify payment structures. The SWAH framework is projected to have an average annual spend of £78.8 million over its 8-year term. The report also details an integrated model between Oxfordshire County Council and Thames Valley Integrated Care Board (ICB) for commissioning home care services, which will allow the Council to broker and contract homecare on behalf of the ICB under the Section 75 NHS Act 2006 Pooled Commissioning Budget Agreement. This integrated approach is expected to lead to a unified contracting model, consistent pricing, stronger quality oversight, and reduced fragmentation in purchasing.