Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Integration introduced a report on the direct award of elements of the Council’s all-age Care Technology service.

By Minute 85 (15 February 2021), the Cabinet had approved arrangements for the procurement of an Innovation Partner for the management and delivery of an all-age Care Technology solution.  The new service went live in May 2022 with the successful transfer of 2,440 residents from the former Careline service to the new contractor.  A series of immediate benefits were achieved via the new service; however, it later became apparent that the contractor was not able to fully support the Council’s vision and ambition for care technology in two of the three service elements of the contract.  As a consequence and in order for the Council to continue to meet its obligations under the Care Act 2014, discussions were held with three prospective providers and Alcove were identified as the preferred provider.

The Cabinet Member spoke on the significant benefits to the Council of embracing technological advancements in the way that it provides services to local residents, and especially those most vulnerable, in the most efficient and effective manner.  With that in mind, the Cabinet Member spoke on the recent success of Lewis Sheldrake, Lead Commissioner in Adult Services, who received a £10,000 scholarship for winning the Local Government Challenge, labelled ‘The Apprentice’ of local government, at the LGA Conference for his “AI Labs” project, which involved safely and ethically using artificial intelligence to address challenges faced by local government.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Approve the direct award of a contract to Alcove for the management and delivery of the terminated aspects of the All-Age Care Technology service, in accordance with the strategy set out in the report; and

(ii)  Delegate authority to the Strategic Director, Children and Adults, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Integration and the Chief Legal Officer, to award and enter into the contract and any extension periods with Alcove to fully implement and effect the proposals.