To: Executive
14 December 2021
Commissioning of SENSORY NEEDS SERVICES
Director of people
1 Purpose of Report
1.1 To seek Executive approval for the Council’s plan to procure Sensory Needs Services as per Annex 1 – Strategic Procurement Plan (SPP).
2 Recommendation(s)
2.1 For the Executive to approve the SPP (Annex 1) for procuring a provider (or multiple providers) for sensory needs services for Bracknell Forest residents.
3 Reasons for Recommendation(S)
3.1 The Care Act 2014 places a duty on local authorities to ensure that people with sensory impairments are supported by professionals with relevant skills and experience.
3.2 Providing this support will meet the minimum requirements under the Care Act, and ensure that people with visual, hearing or dual sensory loss are afforded the opportunity to live as independently as possible and access their community safely. This is expected to reduce the risk of social isolation and the impact this can have on other acute services.
3.3 The procurement will ensure:
o Compliance with the Council’s Contract Standing Orders, in accordance with the Public Contract Regulations 2015.
o The Council meets its Statutory Duties under The Care Act 2014
4 Alternative Options Considered
4.1 As detailed in the Strategic Procurement Plan (Annex 1).
5 Supporting Information
5.1 An analysis of current usage was completed in March 2021. The key findings are detailed in the SPP.
5.2 Service Demand
Demographically Bracknell has an increasing, ageing population with increasingly complex needs. The number of Bracknell Forest residents predicted to have a vision and or hearing loss is expected to rise by 13% over the next five years (POPPI and PANSI, 2021).
6 Consultation and Other Considerations
Comments are detailed in the Strategic Procurement Plan (Annex 1).
6.2 Financial Advice
Comments are detailed in the Strategic Procurement Plan (Annex 1).
7 Consultation
7.1 Principal Groups Consulted
For the specification development, the project team will be consulting with operational adult social care teams, as well as service users, the market and other local authorities.
Annex 1 has been reviewed and endorsed at DMT and the Strategic Procurement Group in October 2021.
7.2 Method of Consultation
Initial soft market testing has been undertaken to seek initial views of the market and gather feedback on options. A survey of Bracknell Forest residents who have used existing services is being completed to inform priorities relating to aspects of service delivery. A market engagement event will further capture the market’s views and promote the tendering opportunity.
Commissioning will continue to undertake further engagement with operational teams and service users (with their consent) in order to develop the service specification and be part of the evaluation team.
7.3 Responses Received
Initial conversations have identified commitment and support for the project and an interest amongst the market.
7.4 Equalities Impact Assessment
An initial impact assessment screening has been completed and is included in the Strategic Procurement Plan (Annex 1). This identified that a Full Equality Impact assessment was not required.
7.5 Strategic Risk Management
The project identified some strategic risks that needed to be considered. These risks are detailed in the Strategic Procurement Plan (Annex 1).
7.6 Climate Change Implications
As this is an extension and reprovision of existing services, analysis concludes that the recommendations contained within this report are expected to have no impact on emissions of greenhouse gases or the environment.
Contact for further information
Thom Wilson, Assistant Director for Commissioning - Thom.wilson@bracknell-forest.gov.uk, 01344 354142
Julia McDonald, Commissioning Manager – Julia.McDonald@bracknell-forest.gov.uk,
01344 354045