To:
Health and Wellbeing Board
2 December 2021
Better Care Fund
Plan 2021/22
Executive
Director of People
1
Purpose of Report
1.1
The Health and Wellbeing Board decided, on 8 November 2021, to
delegate authority to sign off the Bracknell Forest Better Care
Fund Plan 2021/22 to the Executive Director of People, Bracknell
Forest Council and the Managing Director for Bracknell Forest,
Frimley CCG. This was to enable the timely submission of the Plan
to the regional Better Care Manager in line with national planning
requirements.
1.2
Before the submission on 16 November 2021, the Plan was signed off
by officers outlined above, and by the Chief Executive, Bracknell
Forest Council and the Accountable Officer, Frimley CCG, as well as
the Health and Wellbeing Board Chair.
1.3
This report asks the Health and Wellbeing Board to formally approve
the Better Care Fund Plan 2021/22.
2
Recommendation(s)
2.1
For the Board to approve the Better Care Fund Plan 2021/22
consistent of: Bracknell Forest Better Care Fund Narrative Plan
2021/22 (Annex 1) and Bracknell Forest Better Care Fund Planning
Template 2021/22 (Annex 2).
3
Reasons for Recommendation(S)
3.1
To ensure compliance with the BCF Framework 2021/22 and associated
submission and assurance process.
4
Alternative Options Considered
4.1
None
5
Supporting Information
5.1
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Department
for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) have published a
Policy Framework
for the implementation of the Better Care Fund (BCF) in 2021-22.
The Framework forms part of the NHS mandate for 2021-22.
5.2
As set out in the BCF Policy Framework, the requirements of the
planning process have been kept simple and focused on continuity in
2021-22, while enabling areas to agree plans for integrated care
that support recovery from the pandemic and build on the closer
working many systems developed to respond to it. Collection of BCF
plans will recommence in 2021-22 and plans will be assured at
regional level. Use of BCF mandatory funding streams (clinical
commissioning group [CCG] minimum contribution, improved Better
Care Fund [iBCF] grant and Disabled Facilities Grant [DFG]) must be
jointly agreed by CCGs and local authorities to reflect local
health and care priorities, with plans signed off by Health and
Wellbeing Boards (HWBs).
5.2
5.3
For 2021-22, BCF plans consist of:
a) a
narrative plan – see Annex 1. Key priorities for
Bracknell Forest to note:
·
Embedding Integrated Care Decision Making for early discharge
planning and admission avoidance
·
Integrated Care Teams delivering strengths-based and person-centred
care
·
Ageing Well and frailty support
·
Mental health and wellbeing – reducing social isolation
·
Joint commissioning and collaborative working
·
Building capacity to access quality care and support in the
community
b) a
completed BCF planning template – see Annex 2. Key points
to note:
·
Total pooled budget of £14,873,334 with main spend areas:
i.
Reablement in a person’s own home: £4,252,514
(28.6%)
ii.
Residential Placements: £3,526,910 (23.7%)
iii.
Enablers for Integration: £1,384,181 (9.3%)
iv.
Assistive Technologies and Equipment: £1,198,480 (8.1%)
5.4
Following the submission, a regional assurance and
cross-calibration process is underway. Approval letters giving
formal permission to spend are expected in mid -January 2022 with
the Section 75 to be signed and in place by 31 January 2022.
6
Consultation and Other Considerations
Legal Advice
6.1 Legal advice was sought when
planning the approach for agreeing Section 75 for 21/22.
Financial Advice
6.1
Annex 2 was developed with input from the Better Care Fund Finance
Leads from the Council and the CCG.
Other Consultation Responses
6.2
The plan was shared for input with stakeholders from housing,
social care, community engagement, public health, FHFT, the Place
Committee and the Health and Wellbeing Board.
6.3
Consultation was also competed with Berkshire Better Care Fund
leads and the regional Better Care Manager.
Equalities Impact Assessment
6.4
No EIA has been completed. However, consideration has been given to
equalities and health inequalities in Annex 1.
Strategic Risk Management Issues
6.5
Following key strategic risks / mitigating actions are
identified:
Risk
|
Mitigation
|
Plan not covering all aspects / not all
stakeholders were able to contribute due to short turnaround
|
·
Plan shared with key stakeholders for input in October /
November
·
Recognition by BCF regional team re challenges of completing the
plan in very short turnaround / during winter pressures
·
Engage more widely and more deeply with stakeholders to agree a
joint vision, priorities and a strategic approach as part of the
development of the Place Integration Strategy in 2022
|
Metrics estimated at incorrect levels due to
unprecedented surge and winter pressures in 21/22, Covid19 outlier
data for 20/21
|
·
‘No jeopardy’ approach by BCF regional team recognising
challenges around forecasting
·
Targets for 21/22 have been developed to the best of our ability
with input from NHS Frimley Health Foundation Trust (FHFT), adult
social care teams, and other East Berkshire Better Care Fund
leads.
|
Approval not given by regional BC team /
DHSC
|
·
Support available through BCF regional team utilised
·
Positive initial feedback from BCF regional team prior to final
submission
|
Climate Change Implications
6.6 The recommendation in
Section 2 above are expected to have no impact on emissions of
CO2. The reasons the Council believes that this will
have no impact on emissions are that the BCF is an overarching plan
/ funding mechanism.
Background Papers
Annex
1 – Bracknell Forest BCF Narrative Plan 21/22
Annex
2 – Bracknell Forest BCF Planning template 21/22
Contact for further information
Julia McDonald, Commissioning Manager
Integration, Bracknell Forest Council - 01344 354045,
Julia.mcdonald@bracknell-forest.gov.uk