The Deputy Leader - Independent Families - Adults and Health Cabinet Member meeting on 11 December 2024 approved the proposed changes to the Adult Social Care Home Care and Reablement Contract.

Adult Social Care Home Care and Reablement Contract

Councillors discussed a report on proposed changes to the Adult Social Care Home Care and Reablement contract. The report outlined the need to make changes to the contract in light of the increasing demand for adult social care services and the need to ensure that services are affordable and sustainable.

The report noted the increasing demand for adult social care services in North Lincolnshire, driven by an ageing population and an increase in the number of people with complex needs. This increase in demand has put pressure on the council's budget, and the report argued that changes to the Home Care and Reablement Contract were necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of adult social care services in North Lincolnshire.

This means the Council is no longer able to meet all assessed eligible needs within current resources and has resulted in a significant overspend in the last three years, with a projected overspend of £5.6 million in 2024/25 if no action is taken.

The report set out three options for changing the contract:

1. Option 1 was to make no changes to the contract. This option was rejected because it was considered to be unsustainable in the long term.
2. Option 2 was to make changes to the eligibility criteria for adult social care services. The report acknowledged that this would mean that some people who currently receive services would no longer be eligible. However, it argued that this was necessary to ensure that the most vulnerable people in North Lincolnshire continue to receive the support they need.
3. Option 3 was to make changes to the way in which adult social care services are delivered. This could include a greater focus on preventative services, such as reablement, and a greater use of technology. The report argued that this option would allow the council to provide more support to people in their own homes and reduce the need for residential care.

The report recommended that the council proceed with a combination of Options 2 and 3. The council voted to approve the recommendations in the report.