Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Adults and Health which provides information on the work that has been undertaken to date on the ‘One City Care Home and Sustainability’ project. The report seeks support to proceed with the requirement to put into place new contractual arrangements regarding the Older People’s care homes in Leeds via a procurement exercise.

The Director of Adults and Health submitted a report which presented information on the work that has been undertaken to date on the ‘One City Care Home and Sustainability’ project. The report sought authority to proceed with the requirement to establish new contractual arrangements regarding Older People’s care homes in Leeds via a procurement exercise.

Members welcomed the progress being made in this area, as detailed within the submitted report, and highlighted the proactive work being undertaken with care providers in order to help them achieve positive ratings. The Board highlighted the key importance of care providers actively participating in this process and also welcomed how the progress being made in this area could be easily monitored.

In discussing the role of the Care Quality Team, a Member made suggestions around the potential to increase connections between the community and the monitoring of services delivered in this field by care providers. The comments were acknowledged and it was noted that the ways in which the Council looked to ensure the quality of service provision in this area would continue to be evolved. Finally, the Board received further information on the ongoing work being undertaken to further develop the relationship between the community and those care services detailed within the report.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the work which has been undertaken by all stakeholders as part of the ‘One City Care Home Quality and Sustainability Project’, be noted;

(b)  That support be given to the initiation of a procurement exercise based upon a simplified application process that complies with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, to implement the framework contract; with it being noted that the Director of Adults and Health will take a delegated decision in order to commence this procurement exercise in accordance with the Council’s scheme of delegation;

(c)  That the implementation of the Quality Action Plan which was co-produced with stakeholders, be noted; and that it also be noted that the Deputy Director for Integrated Commissioning shall be responsible for the implementation of such matters, with the aim of having the Action Plan in place within the next three months;

(d)  That the recruitment of a Quality Team within Adults and Health to work with the Care Home sector to ensure all homes are delivering high quality care to the citizens of Leeds, be noted; and that it also be noted that the Deputy Director for Integrated Commissioning will continue the recruitment of the Quality Team with the aim of having the team operational within the next three months;

(e)  That the development of a Leadership Academy to work with registered managers in the sector to further develop their skills in order to enhance the quality of care provided in the care home setting, be noted; and that it also be noted that the Senior Organisational Development (OD) Business Partner in Adults and Health shall be responsible for the continued development of the Leadership Academy, with the aim of having the Academy functional within the next six months.