Decision details

Housing Provision for People with Learning Disabilities and Complex Needs

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, seeking approval for Southampton City Council and the Southampton City Clinical Commissioning Group to put in place a business case for Housing Provision for People with Learning Disabilities and Complex Needs, which is driven by the need to have local, person centred services delivered in the right place and at the right time.

The business case has four main aims:

- Provision of locally based housing to support personalised approaches of care
- Improvement in quality of life for those with complex needs (e.g. by reducing challenging behaviours and crisis/breakdowns)
- Improved support for informal carers, ensuring that individuals maintain natural networks around them and informal carers well being is supported
- Reduced dependency on health and social care services by provision of effective and efficient local services

The contact we are making with the market will seek the option to develop an approved list of housing providers, which could further develop accommodation for social care groups.

Decision:

(i)  To enter into an arrangement under S256 National Health Service Act 2006 to manage the transfer of financial resources from Southampton City CCG to Southampton City Council upon such terms as the Director of People considers reasonable in line with the joint commissioning arrangements for learning disabilities.

(ii)  To allocate £1,500,000 that will transfer from SCCCG on housing developments for this group focused on those with continuing healthcare needs.

(iii)  Delegate authority to the Director of People to carry out all such ancillary matters to give effect to this resolution.

Reasons for the decision:

  1. Southampton City Council and Southampton City Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have similar agendas in relation to support to people with complex needs. A number of individuals identified within residential care settings are jointly funded and the development of a section 256 agreement will provide for a coordinated response to needs. The transfer of £1,500,000 from the CCG to the City Council will enable flexibility in the housing solutions found, and will benefit a number of Council clients.
  2. The City Council will be undertaking a series of actions to better support individuals in the community, mainly within supported living arrangements, and the relationships already developed with housing providers will be utilised to maximise their positive impact. A single approach across the two agencies will provide clarity for the housing market and ensure there is no competition for limited resources. It also sends a strong message to the residential care market that Southampton is actively promoting the supported living model for people with complex needs, where this is appropriate.
  3. The City Council and the CCG will share resources in relation to consultation with clients, families and carers to maximise their impact. This will create efficiencies in this approach and will ensure the resources of the Integrated Commissioning Unit are fully and appropriately utilised.

Alternative options considered:

  1. For the City Council and CCG not to enter into a Section 256, and to make alternative arrangements for the provision for people with complex needs
  2. This was rejected because the failure to agree a section 256 arrangement will place at risk the funding from the CCG. This is only available for use/transfer in 2013/14, and will not be available to the CCG after March 2014. This will place developments at risk, and will therefore not benefit local people, including Council clients. In addition, this would not maximise the potential of the new Integrated Commissioning Unit, nor would it provide the necessary clarity to the housing market.

Other Relevant Matters Concerning the Decision:

None

Publication date: 17/12/2013

Date of decision: 17/12/2013

Decided at meeting: 17/12/2013 - Cabinet

Effective from: 28/12/2013

Accompanying Documents: