Officer Decisions (archive)
Associate Director of Commissioning (Care and Health) - Tim Golby
Summary of Matter or Issue Requiring Decision:
Devon County Council was allocated approx. £10.5m of the Adult Social Care (ASC) Infection Control Fund. 75% of the fund was directed to care homes as per the grant determination letter.
This decision relates to the 25% of the fund which can be allocated at the local authority’s discretion to support the provider market in managing infection control.
Decision Taken:
The 25% to be allocated as follows:
• £1, 629,703.40 to be allocated to; supported living, personal care, care homes, day services and enabling providers to support the purchase of PPE based on commissioned levels of business and utilisation rates.
• £1, 000,000 to be allocated to the Housing with Support providers (supported living, extra care housing and ‘homelessness’ support providers) to support infection and control preventative measures.
Decision agreed at Adult Care and Health SIMT on 23rd June 2020
Summary of Reason(s) for Decision Taken:
The options were considered alongside the other Financial Support Arrangements from 1st July 2020.
£1, 629,703.40 allocated to PPE
The Infection Support Grant guidance explicitly allows for the 25% allocation of the funds to be used for the purchase of PPE.
There is still a requirement for care providers to use PPE in line with government guidance related to the appropriate sector. The financial support package previously given to providers is due to expire at the end of June. Decision was made to use the ASC infection control funds to further support all markets with the purchase of PPE from July through to September to support the additional costs that arise for those people for whom the Council and NHS commission care.
£1, 000,000 allocated to the Housing with Support market to support infection control measures
In the main, the housing with support market has people living in a shared environment increasing their risk to contracting COVID. There is also the potential of a large workforce working across different housing with support facilities and buildings, another key risk to COVID management. Funding allocated will require the housing with support market workforce undertaking infection and control training and the funding to be used to support the infection and control measures as stipulated in the grant circular.
Summary of Alternatives or Options considered and rejected:
Other options considered:
• Allocate for PPE (all markets) and to Housing with Support market and Personal Care market to support infection control measures
• Allocate for PPE (all markets) and to all other markets to support infection control measures, i.e. housing with support, extra care housing, day services, personal care and enabling.
• Make the PPE payment in relation to every citizen whether commissioned by the Council or not
Options rejected as the further financial split across multiple markets will provide small financial incentive and therefore deliver minimal impact. The housing with support market is a priority area for the reasons stated above.
The decision to only allocate funding for PPE to those funded by the Council is in line with Care Act principles in that the Council’s duty is to meet the costs of care for those who are eligible for that support following a financial assessment.
• Do not allocate any of the funding for PPE, allocate the entire 25% to the Housing with Support market.
• Do not allocate any of the funding for PPE, allocate entire 25% to Housing with Support and Personal Care markets to support infection control measures, and on an equal basis
• Do not allocate any of the funding for PPE, allocate entire 25% to all other markets to support infection control measures, i.e. housing with support, extra care housing, day services, personal care and enabling, on a shared basis.
• Do not allocate any of the funding for PPE, allocate the entire 25% to the Housing with Support market, retain some funds for ICT equipment to support providers
• Do not allocate any of the funding for PPE, allocate entire 25% to Housing with Support and Personal Care markets to support infection control measures, and on an equal basis, retain some funds for ICT equipment
Details of any conflict of interest and dispensation granted to the Officer taking the decision or by any Member of the Council in delegating responsibility for any specific express delegation:
None
Contact for enquiries/further information:
Ian Hobbs Position: Senior Commissioning Manager (Market Management, Personal Care and Carers) Email: Ian.hobbs@devon.gov.uk Tel: 01392 383000
Decision Date:
27 July 2020
A copy of this decision and any supporting documentation considered by the Officer taking this decision may also be made available or inspection by the public at the Council’s Offices or posted upon payment of any copying and postage charges. Any member of the public wishing to take up either of these options is asked to please ring 01392 382888 or email: members.services@devon.gov.uk