Agenda item

To scrutinise a report regarding the merging of the care and support services delivered across Care at Home and Extra Care Housing into one contract and one service offer, detailing how the new care model will support the needs of the borough both now and in the next seven years.

The committee received a report regarding the merging of the care and support services delivered across Care at Home and Extra Care Housing into one contract and one service offer, which provided details of how the new care model would support the needs of the borough both now and in the next seven years.

The Committee were updated that the Care at Home Recommission was closely linked the Council’s Transformation Plan. It was noted that Adult Social Care Services currently work with 63 commissioned providers and work was underway to assess the recommended number of providers, but the details were not yet ready. It was noted that the current contracts were supporting users and meeting their needs, but there was a need to significantly reshape and redesign the care which the council provided in order to maximise the capacity and ensure that it was operating in the most efficient way; by involving the community and voluntary sectors. The new model would look to ensure that voluntary sector were funded in a way to ensure sustainable and successful delivery.

The committee were updated that officers had engaged with an external organisation which had profiled demand and capacity for Cheshire East to ensure that the eight care communities would have the appropriate resources in place; there was significant planning and scrutiny being undertaken to ensure that the growing demand in the borough, due to the large aging population in Cheshire East, can be managed. It was noted that issues of social isolation would be addressed in connecting individuals to their community to aid their support.

The committee were updated that it was necessary to look at how care could be strategically commissioned to make use of local providers to make a more efficient use of resources throughout the borough. It was noted that officers were currently engaging with local education establishments in the areas, such as Staffordshire University. As well as this, the Council would review individual care packages to ensure that they were still appropriate and look into how assisted technology could help provide the same quality of care with reduced resource.

The committee were updated that the next People Panel Session would be held in August 2025 and feedback had been collated from the previous sessions to build on this.

Members noted the importance of communications to ensure that this does not cause increased anxiety to service users.

Councillor Rhodes proposed an amendment to recommendations 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 to change the wording from “support” to “approve”. This amendment was seconded by Councillor Cook and accepted as a friendly amendment by the committee.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the Adults and Health Committee:

1. Approve the justification for the final extension request and subsequent approval for the Care at Home and Extra Care Housing Contracts.

2. Approve the merging of Care at Home and Extra Care Housing care and support services.

3. Approve the transformational approach of these services over the contracts three – seven year implementation, working in a manner that contributes and works alongside the savings targets associated with this workstream.

4. Approve resident-focused and financially sustainable service design principles.

5. Approve the Council’s long term intention to move to a localities-based model of care delivery, reducing the number of home care providers that we are contracted to work with and enhancing the lives of residents by improving access to our services, supporting independence and resilience, reducing the need for services, and promoting community growth.