URL: https://cumberland.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=607

Decision Maker: Director of Adult Social Care and Housing

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Adult Social Care & Housing Senior Leadership Team (ASC&H SLT,) appointed a new provider to deliver Cumberland micro-enterprise service on an initial one-year term (starting in August 2025) with two optional 12-month extensions available. The use of the extension is subject to the winning provider evidencing to the ASC&H SLT the impact of the service in reducing demand on statutory services, through the creation of network new prevention focused microenterprises with Cumberland.   The appointment of the new service provider (People First Independent Advocacy,)  was based on a robust tender scoring process (assessed against quality 70%, price, 20% and social value 10%,) with the provider with the highest score (awarded the contract. The appointment of the new provider (People First Independent Advocacy) to deliver the Cumberland Microenterprise Service (with a prevention focus) will support the following outcomes:   Promote customer choice allowing customers to source their own personal care by expanding the network of care and prevention focussed microenterprises in operation within the Cumberland area. Provide care for customers leaving in rural communities where the existing independent market provision is limited. Provide greater numbers of prevention focussed microenterprises in Cumberland with the aim of reducing pressure on statutory services by support people to maintain their independence and live longer healthy lives in their own homes. Provide greater connectivity between microenterprises and customers living with mental and physical disabilities that need care and support.   A number of alternative commissioning options were considered at the permission to procure stage (which haven’t changed) as follows:   Option 2 Choose not to support a new Microenterprise service in Cumberland from 02/08/2025 relying on the existing 46 Microenterprises currently established and operating in Allerdale and covering some delivery in who support 288 customers delivering 1308 of care hours a week, to continue.   Option 2 is not recommended as the Microenterprise service does not cover the entirety of Cumberland. The Council would not be able to acquire future delivery data, with the Microenterprise service providing the only service delivery data on Direct Payments and the loss of a local Officer to network and support the existing Microenterprises would likely see Microenterprises exit the market with no Officer in place to support the rebuilding/ increasing of capacity through the establishment of additional care and prevention microenterprises across Cumberland.   Option 3 bring the service inhouse, employing a local Officer (TUPE will need to be considered,) to support the existing network of care microenterprises and to find, support and train individuals with a passion for care to set up new care and prevention microenterprise in their local communities to meet Cumberland customers care and support needs.   Option 3 is not recommended as the Council does not have access to a defined training programme (incumbent provider uses Doing it Right Standards,) or have access to a national network of microenterprises from which to learn from and share good and innovative practice and would need to develop a bespoke social media offer to attract interest from people interested in training to set up their own care microenterprise and to advertise microenterprise care offers to potential customers looking for someone to deliver their care and support needs.  

Date of Decision: August 5, 2025