Decision details

The Board will be asked to approve the proposed strategy to procure mental health support for residents of the Borough.

The Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health Integration presented a report on the proposal to procure new, integrated mental health supported living services.

The Council currently commissions mental health supported living across three sites in the Borough. All three contracts are due to come to an end on 30 September 2017 with no extension provisions.  It was noted that the current schemes generally provide daytime services for people with low to medium levels of need.  There is a greater need going forward for schemes which offer a 24-hour presence, currently only available via spot purchase arrangements. Also, service users require support tailored to their individual needs rather than support that is attached to a building or specific location.  

The Board agreed:

(i)  That the Council proceed with the procurement and award of a contract for the provision of mental health support services from 1 February 2018 to 31 January 2023 in accordance with the strategy set out in the report;

(ii)  To waive the requirement to advertise and tender in accordance with the Council’s Contract Procurement Rules and directly award a four-month contract to Outlook Care and Look Ahead from 1 October 2017 to 31 January 2018 for the provision of mental health supported accommodation, to ensure service continuity whilst the procurement exercise is undertaken in accordance with the strategy set out in the report; and

(iii)  To delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Service Development and Integration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health Integration, the Chief Operating Officer and the Director of Law and Governance, to conduct the procurement and award the contract with the successful bidder(s) in accordance with the strategy set out in the report.