Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities, which provided the Committee with proposals for the recommissioning of the Community Life Choices (CLC) Contract, which included both day centres and services, and individual personal assistants (PAs) provided by organisations. A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 10’ is filed with these minutes.

Arising from discussion, the following points were made:

i.          Members asked for clarification on the new support bandings, in relation to the numbers of people who required one-to-one support. It was explained that some people received a service from more than one banding. Members were further informed that PAs were employed by the organisations that delivered one-to-one care and were not self-employed.

ii.          Members raised concern over the recognised shortage of PAs, particularly in rural areas such as Melton Mowbray and Market Harborough, and the commissioning of non-framework PA packages which could be in excess of £25 per hour. It was further questioned if engagement with the market had resulted in attracting providers, as there was currently inequitable service provision for rural areas. Officers accepted that rural provision could be challenging and had engaged with PA providers across the county to find out what was needed to mobilise local provision for hard-to-reach areas. Whilst home care contracts provided higher fees due to travel costs, it did not apply to the CLC framework, and there would be consistent rates between council and direct payment clients. In addition, if bids did not meet needs, the Council remained obligated to source care as it did with other services, payments for which could be above current rates.

iii.          In response to a question, the Director reported that uplifts to providers rates had never been guaranteed. Each year fees were reviewed based on economic conditions, including inflation and wage changes, the process for which commenced in November and concluded in February for April implementation. The change to the new contract was to align rates with the National Living Wage rather than average weekly earnings.

iv.          Regarding savings there was an estimated midpoint of £150,000 based on the floor-and-ceiling model. Actual savings would be dependent on bids received and potential efficiencies, such as improved staff ratios, which would become clearer once the contract was operational.

v.          Reflecting on the “Help to Live at Home” tender, the Healthwatch representative queried what lessons had informed the process and also asked where the geographic needs base fitted in. It was noted that engagement feedback on issues faced would be useful for Healthwatch, and a request was made for the information to be included as an appendix alongside satisfaction monitoring for context. Officers undertook to include engagement outcomes with the Cabinet report for December 2025. It was noted that the previous home care for Leicestershire tender had focused on fewer providers under a prime provider model, whereas the new framework adopted an open approach to maximise choice.

vi.          A Member noted that the authority had previously provided in-house day services, but Market Harborough’s had recently closed. In response to a question as to whether there were any day services in-house, officers informed Members that all CLC services, including day provision for older people and those with learning disabilities, were now outsourced, which was consistent with most councils. Quality assurance on services provided included initial tender checks on safeguarding, CQC status, and training, which was supplemented by face-to-face meetings. The Department’s Quality Team conducted site visits, reviewed care plans, medication, and progression, and engaged with service users and families. Providers submitted regular returns, and compliance was enforced through contract breaches or termination when necessary, whilst also supporting improvement.

RESOLVED:

That the report on the proposals for the recommissioning of Community Life Choices (CLC) Contract be noted.