Issue - meetings

Since the last update to Members and in line with government requirements, working with an independent organisation, officers have completed and returned the Fair Cost of Care exercises for both 65+ care homes and 18+ domiciliary care provision to government.

The results of both exercises identified that the Council framework rates for 18+ domiciliary care were below the median average and benchmark rates from the exercise, but that the Council was already paying above average rates when spot purchasing residential care placements. 

Consequently, the funding from government to support a move towards a Fair Cost of Care has been targeted towards supporting people at home, rather than increasing residential care fees.

In addition, a draft Market Sustainability Plan has been produced, which was submitted in October 2022 as required. The plan includes work planned or underway across Adult Social Care Commissioning to help reduce the reliance on long term care, as well as action underway to support the local care sector with recruitment, skills development, and fees.

Provider engagement workshops are planned for 21 and 22 February after which a final version of the plan will be produced for publication by 27 March in accordance with government requirements.

The Interim Director ASC – Commissioning presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘E’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Since the last update to Members and in line with government requirements, working with an independent organisation, officers had completed and returned the Fair Cost of Care exercises for both 65+ care homes and 18+ domiciliary care provision to government.

The results of both exercises identified that the Council framework rates for 18+ domiciliary care were below the median average and benchmark rates from the exercise, but that the Council was already paying above average rates when spot-purchasing residential care placements.

Consequently, the funding from government to support a move towards a Fair Cost of Care had been targeted towards supporting people at home, rather than increasing residential care fees.

In addition, a draft Market Sustainability Plan had been produced, which was submitted in October 2022. The plan included work planned or underway across Adult Social Care to help reduce the reliance on long term care, as well as action underway to support the local care sector with recruitment, skills development, and fees.

Provider engagement workshops were planned for 21 and 22 February 2023 after which a final version of the plan would be produced for publication by 27 March 2023 in accordance with government requirements.

The Committee discussed the report and comments were made, including:

• In response to a query regarding overseas recruitment, the Committee was advised of the support and work which had increased workforce within local providers and the struggles around affordability of housing and the work being done in that area.

RESOLVED that Members note the draft Market Sustainability Plan, ahead of final amendments and publication, and the findings in the wider report.