Issue - meetings

This commissioning strategy sets out the future approach and intentions of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council) and NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) with regard to the commissioning of extra-care housing provision. It follows on from an in-depth review of extra-care provision and commissioning carried out in 2021 and builds upon the vision and aims set out in the Market Position Statement issued in 2021

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           the Extra Care Housing Strategy be approved; and

(b)           Cabinet authorise the Director of Commissioning working with the Urban Regeneration Company on the identification and development of suitable sites for extra care housing schemes.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Adults

Reason

Ensuring a diverse, vibrant, sustainable and quality market for Adult Social Care is a key duty for all local authorities under market shaping requirements of the Care Act 2014. This commissioning strategy supports meeting that duty in respect of extra care housing.

The development extra-care housing in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is a necessary measure to deliver on the Council’s commitments to both promote greater independence and to reduce the numbers of people entering residential care. There are a variety of shapes that extra-care housing provision can take and BCP Council needs to ensure that it has a good range and span of schemes and options.

The Portfolio Holder for Adults presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was informed that the commissioning strategy sets out the future approach and intentions of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council) and NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) with regard to the commissioning of extra-care housing provision, and that it follows on from an in-depth review of extra-care provision and commissioning carried out in 2021 and builds upon the vision and aims set out in the Market Position Statement issued in 2021.

The Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee addressed the Cabinet advising that at their recent meeting the Committee had been extremely supportive of the report, and that the Committee had resolved to make the following recommendation to Cabinet in respect of this item.

This Committee recommends that Cabinet, working with relevant officers in both planning and adult social care, to be asked to make submissions to the Local Plan Working Group, regarding the provision of Extra Care Housing accommodation.

In relation to this the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning welcomed the recommendation and advised that the local plan working group would take on board any submissions that come through, and that clearly this is something that has to be central to the work that comes through.

Councillor Butler addressed the Cabinet stressing the importance of the design of any housing to insure it is not institutional.

In relation to this the Portfolio Holder assured that the design would not be institutional. 

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           the Extra Care Housing Strategy be approved; and

(b)           Cabinet authorise the Director of Commissioning working with the Urban Regeneration Company on the identification and development of suitable sites for extra care housing schemes.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Adults

Ensuring a diverse, vibrant, sustainable and quality market for Adult Social Care is a key duty for all local authorities under market shaping requirements of the Care Act 2014. This commissioning strategy supports meeting that duty in respect of extra care housing.

The development extra-care housing in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is a necessary measure to deliver on the Council’s commitments to both promote greater independence and to reduce the numbers of people entering residential care. There are a variety of shapes that extra-care housing provision can take and BCP Council needs to ensure that it has a good range and span of schemes and options.

AThe Director of Commissioning for People introduced the Extra Care Housing Strategy for Vulnerable Adults and Older People report. The main points of the presentation were:

·       The strategy had been developed in conjunction with the Institute of Public Care with support from the Local Government Association.

·       The strategy was developed using extensive collection of data and detailed analysis.

·       There had been limited consultation due to the pandemic.

·       The strategy should be considered alongside other Council initiatives and strategies, such as the Big Plan.

·       Extra care housing is often associated with older people where occupants have specific tenure rights to occupy self-contained dwellings and where they have agreements that cover the provision care, support, domestic community or other services.

·       Many properties involved will be self-contained and will be utilised by younger adults of working age with mental or learning disabilities.

·       Many accommodation schemes do not fit the criteria of broader care and support on site, often required for 24 hours a day. There are a limited number of extra care housing schemes across BCP; 560 units across a number of BCP sites. Some of the units are purpose built and others are converted from sheltered housing stocks or were initially older care specifically.

·       A large number of retirement schemes are in place, over 6000 units, however these generally do not provide care and support.

·       Care and housing schemes together can meet the needs of a wide range of groups. A good extra care scheme is reliant upon high quality and appropriate accommodation.

·       The strategy includes an aim to expand care housing provision and modelling would suggest that at least 1000 additional units are needed. These must support adults of all ages, meeting the variety of need levels.

·       Technology in extra care housing will have a big role to play, because it boosts independence, for example the use of zoom calls and virtual doctors’ appointments. This increase in technology is not designed to  take away or reduce personal care, but to compliment the human touch of care.

·       The profile of extra care housing needs to be raised and promoted better across BCP.

Main Objectives:

·       To significantly increase extra care housing units over next 5-10 years.

·       Identify specialist sites with companies and developers to meet people’s needs as best as possible.

·       To develop larger extra care ‘villages’ and communities with access to community facilities.

·       To develop the social care workforce to embed the right skills and competencies required in the operation of extra-care housing schemes.

The Committee asked several questions following the report. Answers were provided by the Director of Commissioning for People. The questions and responses were:

·       A member asked about the inclusion of green spaces in the strategy, to which the Committee heard that the Director of Commissioning for People had met with the Chair of planning on this matter. The hope was for extra care villages to include green space or be near to community spaces. Other, similar schemes had included sensory gardens, exercise spaces, hydrotherapy pools and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 147