To seek Member support on the approach to commission and award Adult Social Care services and contracts and to receive comments on the programme of planned activity.

The Head of Commissioning introduced a report that set out commissioning activities for the Voluntary and Community Sector and Housing Support Services that supported vulnerable adults and individual wellbeing.  The Committee’s comments were sought on the approach to refocus on funding and that some contracts had been extended to allow time to look in depth at finances and engage with staff and partners. 

In light of the report a Member raised a concern about information, advice and signposting for service users.  The Head of Commissioning advised that Advice Central had been set up to link people to services.  Each provider would be required to sign up to Advice Central to make it easier for residents to get to the right organisation.

A Member asked how ‘success’ was measured for these activities.  The Head of Commissioning advised it was a challenge to measure and officers were looking at high level outcomes and would focus on the numbers and what the services meant to people.  The Director explained that further work to develop the schemes was required in addition to changes to voluntary working.

RECOMMENDED

1.    That the Committee acknowledge the need for more time and to extend current contracts to enable outcome based commissioning with stakeholders and the realignment of contracts in particular along-side Council budgets.

2.    That the preventative nature of the services be applauded by the Committee.