Care and Support in Wokingham

Descriptions

Our ambition is for Wokingham Borough to be one of the best boroughs for adults and carers in need of support to live, where they feel safe, included and a key part of our community. We are issuing this prior information notice to seek views of providers on the how home care and supported living services could be structured in the future. The procurement will help the Council deliver the adult social care strategy and the voluntary sector strategy, particularly in prevention, reducing and delaying the need for more costly services. This will include a focus on reablement and strength based commissioning where the individual will continue to be at the centre of any support. The Council will work closely with providers to support and safeguard its vulnerable residents and enable them to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible in their own homes and communities. Through this tender, the Council will ensure there is continuous improvement in the delivery and quality of services and in the training and development of the carer workforce. There is a need to ensure that we approach the procurement of care and support strategically and this is more imperative given the financial outlook due to Covid-19. There will be a focus on reconfiguring services where appropriate and using technology in delivering care and support services and improved outcomes for our residents in light of financial pressures. The procurement will allow the Council to pre-qualify providers to a minimum quality level that ensures meeting our statutory duty as well as promoting continuous improvement in the care market. Encouraging competition through formal market competition may support management through forecasting budgetary pressures and requirements; this can promote quality, competition and innovation in the market. The process of joining the framework and calling off it will be open and transparent for all providers. It is anticipated that the contract will be let for a 5 years term. Service scope includes: • focus on reablement and keeping people at home and in their community • signposting to other sources of support including online directory of services, technology enhanced care, carer services • combatting the prevalence of social isolation • asset (strength) based approach (outcomes based commissioning) • individual Service Funds and direct payments – move to payment cards • care models that meet the changing demographic profile of the borough • training and continual professional development of care staff • sustainability of the market – consortium bidding, staffing (recruitment, training and retention) • impact of Covid 19 on the market • innovation and Technology — greater use of assistive technology and equipment including electronic time recording • customer progression/reablement to reduce care where appropriate • create a competitive open local market with equal access to opportunities for providers • maximise opportunities for efficient processes and financial savings through innovative delivery • 7 day working • electronic time recording • accommodation based supported living which may include waking nights or sleep-ins • community and outreach supported living (where staff travel within a shift to different service users) • complex needs - for example challenging behaviour or serious health conditions • integration of health and social care. Not within service scope: • direct payments • extra care. For more information please refer to our adult social care strategy, learning disability and voluntary and community sector strategies https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/council-and-meetings/open-data/plans-policies-and-strategies/?categoryesctl91f252ff-550d-4cfa-a838-92ef2cb5f83c=10598"