URL: https://committees.oldham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5545

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Diretor of Adult Social Care/DASS which explained that the  Council's current contractual arrangements for the delivery of Care at Home, Extra Care and Specialist Care at Home Flexible Purchasing System had commenced on 1st April 2019 and, following the use of a two-year extension option, were due to expire on 31 March 2026.   Care at Home services were a critical component of the Council’s statutory duties under the Care Act 2014, providing essential care and support to adults in Oldham with eligible needs. These services enabled some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents to live independently and safely in their own homes.   To ensure continuity of service delivery beyond March 2026 and to meet statutory obligations, a full open tender process was to be undertaken in line with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules. This would allow the Council to establish new contractual arrangements which reflected current and future service requirements, market conditions, and strategic objectives.   Recommissioning the service through a full competitive process would also support improvements in service quality and provide alignment with both local priorities and best practice in home care provision.   Approval was sought from the Cabinet, to proceed with the procurement process for the re-tendering of Care at Home services, with the implementation of new arrangements effective from 1st April 2026.  The proposed procurement would follow a compliant route in accordance with both the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and PA23 Regulations and were designed to reflect current and future demand, market capacity, and best practice in domiciliary care.   These commissioning and procurement activities were critical to ensure the Council can continue to meet its statutory duties under the Care Act 2014, delivering timely, person-centred care that promotes independence and supports the wider health and social care system in Oldham.   Options/Alternatves considered: Option 1: to allow the existing Care at Home contract to cease on 31st March 2026 and continue with current providers delivering Care at Home and related services through ad hoc commissioning without retendering or establishing a new contractual agreement. Option 2: Proceed with a full procurement exercise for the delivery of Care at Home and associated services in Oldham via an Open Tender process using the Open or Competitive Flexible Procedure model. This will replace the current Flexible Purchasing System (FPS), which expires on 31 March 2026. And Delegate authority to the Director of Adult Social Services and Community Commissioning to award the final contracts following the completion of the procurement process. Option 3: Allow the existing Care at Home contract to expire on 31 March 2026 without replacement. Option 2 was the preferred Option.   Resolved: 1.    That the Cabinet grants approval for the Director of Adult Social Care Services/DASS, on behalf of the Council, to proceed with a full procurement exercise to establish a new framework agreement for Care at Home and related services, including Care at Home, Extra Care support and night provision (Night Van). This Framework will replace the existing Flexible Purchasing System which is due to expire on 31st March 2026. 2.    That the Cabinet delegates authority to approve the service specification to the Director of Adult Social Services and Community Commissioning and to award to successful providers after the tender outcome. 3.    That the Cabinet acknowledges it no longer has access to using a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) or Flexible Purchasing System (FPS) under the current procurement regulations, as these have been replaced by Dynamic Marketplaces which do not permit below-threshold call-offs (under £663,540). On this basis, authority is granted to procure under the PA23 Open or Competitive Flexible Procedure. 4.    That the Cabinet grants approval to allow for future changes to service providers, if required, to ensure continuity of provision. Any such changes would remain within the existing financial envelope and would solely involve provider substitution to address service delivery gaps. 5.    That the Cabinet grants approval to commence the re-tender for a new Care at Home service to start in April 2026  for a period of four years with the option to extend for one year plus one year, at a cost of approximately £19m a year.

Date of Decision: September 22, 2025