Issue - meetings

Report CS17121

The Care Services Portfolio Holder introduced a report reviewing the current Mental Health Flexible Support service provision delivered by Heritage Care (previously known as Community Options) and recommending that the procurement strategy for future provision of this service be linked to the joint review of mental health community support services being carried out by the Local Authority and Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group.

The Mental Health Flexible Support service was a specialist service that worked with adults with mental ill health to support their independence and resettlement in the community.  It aimed to move mental health service users away from reliance on hospital and residential care towards a new mix of services including supported accommodation and independent living, and ensured that Local Authority met its duties regarding the Care Programme Approach (CPA) and Aftercare needs of clients discharged from hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983. 

In considering the future provision of this service three options had been considered.  As the needs of the business and end users had not changed significantly since the onset of the contract, and the service specification was still considered fit for purpose in terms of client support and the flexibility of the service, it was recommended that Option Two be progressed.  This proposed to exempt the current service from tender for a period of 18 months with a view to retender the service with a larger portfolio of services after a period of service redesign with Local Authority partners, Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group and Oxleas NHS Trust.  The current service provider was meeting the needs of eligible service users and delivering expected outcomes, and was also compliant with the service specification and proactive in working with commissioners to get the best outcomes for service users.

In response to a question from a Member, the Commissioning Manager - Older People and Adults with Complex Needs confirmed that a strict time frame would be agreed for the service redesign which would be project managed.  Another Member noted the potential for the Mental Health Sustainability and Transformation Plan and the White Paper on Mental Health to feed into the service redesign.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to agree a waiver to exempt the current service from tender (Option 2) for a period of 18 months with an option to extend for a further six months if required via delegated authority to the responsible Chief Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Care Services.