Decision

The Executive Board has decided to approve a remodelling plan for learning disability and autism supported living in Blackburn with Darwen, develop in-house provider services, reprocure supported living services, focus on strategic housing needs, and delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Adults & Health.

Analysis

outcome: The remodelling plan for learning disability and autism supported living in Blackburn with Darwen is approved, in-house provider services will be developed, supported living services will be reprocured, strategic housing needs will be focused on, and authority is delegated to the Strategic Director for Adults & Health.

summary: The decision involves approving a remodelling plan for learning disability and autism supported living in Blackburn with Darwen, developing in-house provider services, reprocuring supported living services, focusing on strategic housing needs, and delegating authority to the Strategic Director for Adults & Health.

topline: The Executive Board has decided to approve a remodelling plan for learning disability and autism supported living in Blackburn with Darwen, develop in-house provider services, reprocure supported living services, focus on strategic housing needs, and delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Adults & Health.

reason_contentious: This decision may be contentious as it involves significant changes to the current service model and may impact existing providers and stakeholders.

affected_stakeholders: ["Individuals with learning disabilities and autism", "Providers of supported living services", "Local housing providers", "Council staff involved in adult social care and health"]

contentiousness_score: 7

political_party_relevance: There are no explicit mentions of political parties in the decision, but it may have implications for local political dynamics.

URL: https://democracy.blackburn.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1395

Decision Maker: Executive Board

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: This report summarises the review of supported accommodation for adults with a Learning Disability and/or Autism in Blackburn with Darwen and sets out recommendations for future delivery

Content: RESOLVED:   That the Executive Board:   1.    Approve the remodelling plan for the learning disability and autism supported living portfolio in Blackburn with Darwen which will be designed on four geographical areas (East, West One, West Two and Darwen with Rural). This proposal will even out the contract values and ensure that all tender lots are inviting to potential providers. This also provides the appropriate scale to support wider place-based working. This is a move away from the current service model, which has large variances in the size and scale of contracts and dispersed geographical delivery models. 2.    Support the strategic aim of developing In-House (Council operated) Provider Services by bringing a portfolio of existing supported living services under the management of the Council. This would be subject to ongoing work with the In-House Provider services to meet their strategic intention to deliver cost-effective, high-quality care to individuals with complex needs and who require specialist support. Should this strategic intention be supported, the detail of this would be subject to further decisions through Council governance processes. 3.    Approve the decision to reprocure Supported Living based on the following procurement strategy:                       i.        Undertake a tender exercise utilising the Lancashire County Council Approved Provider List (on which the Council are already named as a statutory commissioning body), complying with the Public Contract Regulations and the Council’s Contract and Procurement Procedure Rules.                     ii.        Through the procurement exercise, seek to award the contracts to a maximum of three providers which will focus upon the geographical areas outlined in the redesigned lots (East, West One, West Two and Darwen with Rural). Within this Lot structure, given the smaller value of Darwen with Rural, it would be mandated that this area would be linked to either East or West One to ensure viability while connecting them to the wider portfolio for efficiencies in delivery.                    iii.        Contracts are to be for a total of up to 7 years (5 years with extension options of 1+1) to align with the length of time remaining on the current Lancashire County Council Approved Provider List.                    iv.        The contracts for support services will be commissioned on block contract arrangements in line with the assessed needs and utilisation of the tenancy hours calculator.                     v.        Nomination agreements will be in place with all the housing providers.                    vi.        Inclusion of the option for the local ICB to be an associate on the contract and utilise the providers who successfully tender for health funded care and support in supported living services. The ICB would be able to choose at a later date if they would like to exercise this option.   4.    Note that any future strategic housing needs programmes should actively focus on the expansion of suitable housing provision for individuals with Care Act eligible needs. These future developments should include those that meet the diverse demographics of the residents of the borough with a learning disability and/or autism. 5.    Give delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Adults & Health, in consultation with the Executive Member for Adults Social Care & Health and the Deputy Director for Legal and Governance, to conclude any agreements necessary to facilitate the recommendations above.

Date of Decision: August 13, 2026