Decision details

Implementing Proposals to Spend Department of Health 'Common Assessment Framework' Grant Funding

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

A bid has been submitted to the Department of Health for 3.1 Million Pounds for development of a joint health and social care assessment system and a decision to award the grant will be known early January 2010. Southampton City Council is the lead authority for a partnership with Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council.

In accordance with the Council's Financial Procedure Rules, Cabinet need to consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, seeking approval to accept the grant received from the Department of Health and add commitments to the Health and Adult Social Care Capital Programme. In addition the Cabinet is asked to agree the spending plan for this work.

This decision will have an impact on people with disabilities, older people and carers.

This item will be withdrawn if the bid is unsuccessful.

Decision:

(i)  To accept, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, the capital grant of £3.062m awarded by the Department of Health (DoH) for development of a joint health and social care assessment system.

(ii)  To add, in accordance with financial procedure rules, £3.062 to the Adult Social Care and Health Capital Programme to fund a new scheme, Common Assessment Framework to be entirely funded from the DoH grant award.

(iii)  To approve, in accordance with financial procedure rules and subject to recommendation (iv) of this report, capital expenditure of £3.062 for the completion of a Common Assessment Framework to be funded entirely from the DoH grant award.

(iv)  To delegate to the Executive Director of Health and Adult Social Care, after consultation with Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health and the Head of Financial Services and IT, any consequent decision regarding the development and implementation of a specific spending plan for this project.

Reasons for the decision:

1.  On the 17th December, the Council was informed of a successful bid for funds to develop a ‘Common Assessment Framework’ approach to undertaking health and social care assessments.

2.  This involves the award of capital funding to purchase and develop IT systems that will enable sharing information between social care, health and other organisations in a joint approach, which will include project management and training, in partnership with Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council.

Alternative options considered:

1.  The development of a common assessment framework is a requirement of the Department of Health for implementation within Social Care services whether or not this bid had been successful.

2.  Rejecting the funding allocation is therefore not considered a viable option.

Report author: Jane Brentor

Publication date: 18/01/2010

Date of decision: 18/01/2010

Decided at meeting: 18/01/2010 - Cabinet

Effective from: 26/01/2010

Accompanying Documents: