Decision details

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adult Social Care/DASS which informed Members that the Council’s contractual arrangements for the delivery of care and support services for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism ended in 2020. The Council has a statutory duty to deliver care and support services for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism based on assessed Care Act 2014 needs to support some of Oldham’s most vulnerable adults residing in supported living accommodation.

To meet its obligations, the Council proposes to utilise the Greater Manchester (M) Framework for Supporting People to Live Well at Home, which is being tendered by Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) as the lead authority for the 10 GM authorities and will be available to the Council and other contracting authorities from its commencement. Tenders have been received and are being evaluated with STaR procurement advising RMBC. The estimated commencement date is 1^st April 2025. The new contractual arrangements will replace the current GM Learning Disabilities and Autism Flexible Procurement System which expires on 31^st March 2025.

The Council entered into a Framework Agreement with six service providers in 2016 to deliver care and support services to eligible service users living in named properties (owned by third party landlords). The service providers were allocated to properties and all orders for services were directed to the relevant service provider attached to the relevant property. The Framework Agreements for the delivery of services for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism ended in 2020. Since then, any additional placements required have been made with the previously appointed service providers in respect of those service users residing in the properties listed in the Annex to this report, using the framework approach.

In addition, individual placement arrangements have been made for service users requiring an out of borough placement where there is a limited market, where there was either a need to place out of borough for safety and best interest needs, or where there was not any appropriate provision in Borough.

Where possible, the Council has been placing orders under the current GM Learning Disabilities and Autism Flexible Procurement System, but this flexible system closed on 31^st March 2025.

Therefore to meet its statutory obligation to deliver a range of care and support services which meet assessed needs, the Council proposes to utilise the GM Framework for Supporting People to Live Well at Home, which is being tendered by RMBC and will be available to the Council and other contracting authorities from its commencement.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option 1: to maintain the existing ad hoc service provision arrangements with the current providers of the required services.

Option 2: Cease Delivery of Supported Living Services – to discontinue the provision of care and support services for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.

Option 3: To procure Services via the GM Supporting People to Live Well at Home FPS Agreement (Preferred Option) - for the immediate in-borough requirements (for current service users resident in the in the properties listed in the Annex to this report and any new service users who move into the properties when accommodation becomes available), proceed with a mini competition under the GM Framework for Supporting People to Live Well at Home, procured by RMBC. For future in-borough and out of borough ad hoc arrangements, procure all requirements in accordance with the GM Framework for Supporting People to Live Well at Home. This option ensures a compliant and transparent process to secure high-quality care and support services through the GM Framework for Supporting People to Live Well at Home.

Option 3 was the preferred Option.

Resolved:

1.    The Cabinet grants approval for Oldham Council to call-off any care and support (supported living) services it requires during the term of the GM Supporting People to Live Well at Home flexible framework arrangements  which are planned to  commence on 1 April 2025 in order to meet the assessed needs of service users.

2.    The Cabinet grants approval to carry out a mini procurement exercise (competition) under Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council’s flexible framework arrangements for Supporting People to Live Well at Home, in respect of in-borough care and support (supported living) services:

(a)  for existing residents in the properties listed in the Annex to this report; and

(b)  for any replacement service users which take occupation in the properties

3.    The Cabinet grants approval to carry out mini procurement competitions as and when required under the GM Supporting People to Live Well at Home flexible framework arrangements for the provision of care and support (supported living) services of any nature to new service users who: are not resident in the properties listed in the Annex to this report, but

are or will be resident in properties in or outside of the Oldham borough.

4.    The Cabinet grants approval, if requested, to enter into Call-Off Contracts with the successful service providers referenced in recommendations 3 and 4 above who will be appointed from time to time by the Council under and in accordance with the GM Supporting People to Live Well at Home flexible framework arrangements.