Agenda item

The Chief Officer Commissioning submitted an update report on the commissioning process in relation to the provisions of independent sector homecare services in Leeds and the update on homecare services in Leeds in order to satisfy Members that adequate monitoring and performance management arrangements are in place.

The Chief Officer Commissioning submitted an update report on the commissioning process in relation to the provisions of independent sector homecare services in Leeds and the update on homecare services in Leeds in order to satisfy the Board that adequate monitoring and performance management arrangements were in place.

Appended to the report was a copy of the Homecare Providers Performance

(Appendix 1) for the information/comment of the meeting.

The Chair welcomed the following Officers to the meeting who responded to Members’ questions and comments:-

·  Dennis Holmes – Chief Commissioning Officer

·  Tim O’Shea – Head of Commissioning

·  Mark Phillott – Contracts Manager

In brief, specific reference was made on the following issues:-

·  clarification of the nature of the homecare providers contracts.  It was indicated that the contracts were cost and volume contracts, whereby a volume of work was guaranteed by the Council and a cost element allowed for a ‘call-off’ for additional service.

·  clarification was sought on the progress of the officer and service users working group

·  clarification on whether the Commissioning Officer monitors dignity in care within the homecare sector

·  clarification of how the providers ensure that at least 50% of their homecare staff are qualified to  NVQ level 2 and what are the monitoring arrangements

·  clarification was sought on contracts with service providers receiving poor inspection reports.  In response, the officer informed the meeting that a commitment has been made to contract with service providers assessed as being good or better. 

·  concern was expressed that clients receiving a service from substandard service providers may suddenly find themselves without a homecare provider due to their recent zero star rating

·  clarification of any immediate contingency plans the department may have in place should a homecare provider cease trading at short notice

·  clarification of the criteria used to appoint homecare providers prior to awarding a contract and the need to review associated processes

·  concern was expressed that a service provider awarded a zero star rating after inspection may not have their contacts terminated for a further six months, thus some service users will be receiving a service from a provider who has been rated as a poor service provider 

·  the Board requested confirmation of the number/ percentage of completed service user reviews currently receiving services.

·  the Board requested to be informed of the results of any further inspections being carried out in 2008 on four other homecare providers

·  the Board requested information on how many staff are employed with each service provider and how many staff have obtained NVQ Level 2 qualification

In addition, the Board sought clarification of the lessons learned as a result of the recent inspection outcome and associated activity.  In response, the Board was provided with the following:

·  Continued regulation of homecare providers will assist the department in ensuring high quality service providers are contracted to provide homecare services in the longer-term

·  A number of issues around contingency planning as the ‘personalisation’ agenda moves forward, including:

The Chair thanked Officers for their attendance.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report be noted.

(b)  That any outstanding issues referred to above be dealt with by those   officers now identified within the minutes and reported back to Board   Members.