Decision
Analysis
outcome: The Cabinet approved the recommendations for the procurement of the new service.
summary: The decision at stake was the approval for the procurement of an all-age social prescribing service, as the current contract is set to expire on October 31, 2024.
topline: The Cabinet has decided to approve the procurement of a new all-age social prescribing service as the current contract nears expiration.
reason_contentious: The issue may be contentious due to the increased demand for the service, the involvement of various stakeholders, and the potential impact on public health and wellbeing.
affected_stakeholders: Primary Care, Mental Health Services, Acute Health Services, Social Care professionals, children and young people, and the general public in need of social prescribing services.
contentiousness_score: 5
political_party_relevance: There is no direct mention of political parties or political influence on the decision in the provided text.
URL: https://committees.oldham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5097
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Outcome: Recommendations Approved
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: No
Purpose:
Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Public Health that sought approval for the procurement of an all-age social prescribing service. Cabinet was informed that all the available extensions to the existing contract had been utilised, and the current contract was due to expire on 31st October 2024. The Council’s current Social Prescribing offer was a key contributor within the Adults Target Operating Model, Children’s Early Help Strategy and Housing prevention offer, acting as step-down and improving flow through the system. This had involved the development of a few specialised elements to the service; children and young people’s link workers, and during 2023/24 piloting of a dedicated link worker role in Adults Referral Contact Centre (ARCC). Alongside this was a volunteer model that had been developed to help support clients with lower-level needs. Demand for the service has increased over the lifetime of the contract, with the service receiving 2,096 unique referrals in 2021/22, 2,509 in 2022/23 and 2,293 up to the end of Q3 (31st December 2023) 2023/24. Most referrals into the service are made by professionals in Primary Care, Mental Health Services, Acute Health Services and Social Care, although more than 1 in 10 are self-referrals. People are primarily referred into the service due to loneliness and isolation or mental health and wellbeing, however reasons for referral also include issues with welfare and money management, long-term conditions and housing. The children and young people’s element of the service began in early 2023 and has now received over 200 referrals. Options/alternatives considered: The various options were considered at item 28 on the agenda. Resolved: That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information at item 28 of the agenda before making a decision.
Date of Decision: March 18, 2024