Decision details

RESOLVED –

That the Executive Board:

1)    Approve the remodelling plan for the existing Extra Care portfolio in Blackburn with Darwen: i. Extra Care Services at Kingsway, Spring Bank Court, Riverside Heights and Albion Mill will have 24-hour background care with two core care staff onsite. The funding model for each site will be for 10 dedicated daytime care hours plus two waking night staff, in addition to individual costed care and support packages.

 ii. Extra Care Services at Pembroke Court will support those who do not require 24-hour background care and will have 10 dedicated daytime care hours, in addition to individual costed care and support packages. No onsite overnight care will be provided. Note: If demand for care changes these background hours will be reviewed by commissioners.

 iii. The following will be decommissioned as Extra Care Housing facilities; Lees Court, Hindle Court and Cotton Spinners and the future use will be: - Lees Court and Hindle Court – return to Sheltered Housing - Cotton Spinners – scope for Mental Health Supported Living (subject to a separate paper)

iv. As part of the transitional plan, service users at Pembroke Court, Lees Court and Hindle Court, will be offered a social care review which will include how needs will continue to be met, through care and telecare options.

2) Approve timescales for the remodelling and decommissioned work - phased between August to December 2024, following further consultation with tenants and housing providers.

3) Approve the proposal to reprocure all remaining Extra Care provision within one procurement exercise. New Extra Care contracts to be awarded and commence by 8th November 2025.

4) Approve the decision to reprocure Extra Care, based on the following procurement strategy:

i. Undertake an open tender exercise to comply with the Public Contracts Regulations and the Council’s Contract and Procurement Procedure Rules.

 ii. Through the procurement exercise seek to award contracts to two providers which focus on geographic areas i.e. one provider for Blackburn and one provider for Darwen. This will be built into the contract.

iii. Contracts to be for a total of up to 7 years (3 years with extension options of 2 + 1 + 1) and to start from November 2025.

iv. The contract/s for extra care services will include core background support, in addition to individual costed care and support packages which are based on the assessment of eligible needs.

v. The specification will indicate the requirement for staff to have contracted hours, and to work shifts rather than hours based on care undertaken i.e. staff will not work on zero hours contracts.

vi. Nomination agreements will be in place with all housing providers. vii. Pending timely completion of the procurement exercise, a waiver may be required for a short[1]term extension, should there be any slippage (in addition to below).

5) Note that any future Strategic Housing Needs Programme should actively focus on the expansion of suitable housing provision for older people including sheltered housing options. These future developments should include developments which meet the diverse demographics of the ageing population.

6) Give delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Adults and Health, in consultation with the Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health and the Deputy Director for Legal and Governance, to conclude any agreements necessary to facilitate the recommendations above.