East Midlands Regional
Framework
Foster Care & Residential Care
Expectations of Framework
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Better quality of service for young people
Cost savings in the region of around 5%
Fixed pricing mechanism for 4 years
Better control of costs
Contracts for the majority of placements
Increased capacity from existing Providers
Providers more accountable to whole region
How did we get here?
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Shaping the Market working collaboratively
Northamptonshire developed proposal
Regional critique on proposal
Northamptonshire lead on tender
Local Authorities sign up at DCS level
Commence Tender Process
Start new Contract
Tender Timetable
• 13th August - Advertise tender
– 8 Weeks
• 11th October - Evaluate Tender (LA’s + NHS – 15 Evaluators)
– 11 Weeks
• 30th December + - Collate scores and returns
– 6 Weeks
• 14th February – Publish results and Standstill
– 10 days
• 28th February – Award Contracts
• 1st April – Start New Contract
How it works
• Framework design Based on level of Need
• Each Service split into level of need
– Fostering – 3 levels
– Residential – 2 levels
• Each Level of need split into Tiers
– Tier 1 - Preferred Provider – Top 5
– Tier 2 - Reserve Preferred Provider – Next 10
– Tier 3 – All Other Providers
• Local Authority decides the level of Need
Framework Flowchart
A child reaches the threshold to become looked after, and a placement is requested.
A decision is taken on type of care, and appropriate level of need by the placing authority.
Fostering
Low
Medium
Supported
Accommodation
Residential
High
Medium
High
Low
Medium
High
Send referral to relevant provider list, for appropriate LOT, giving each tier, 24 hours to respond.
All Providers lists will be constructed in the formation below, and there will be one list per LOT, for the authorities in the region to
use.
Preferred Provider
(5)
Reserve Preferred
Provider
(10)
All
Other
Providers
(not limited)
If a suitable placement cannot be found to match the child or young person’s needs, after all three tiers of the framework,
we will go back to preferred providers to try and formulate a solution with additional support, etc.
Who applied?
• Fostering
– Tier 1
– Tier 2
– Tier 3
-
• Residential
– Tier 2
– Tier 3
31
30
28
-
• Non Compliant
• New Providers
– Fostering – Residential -
35
47
36
41
-
7
24
9
15
• Covers the following amount of Regional placements
– Fostering – Residential -
95%
79%
How to Monitor Performance
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Quarterly Monitoring Report (all Providers)
Quarterly / 6 monthly Performance meetings
LAC review feedback
End of Placement feedback
– Child / IRO / Social Worker / Provider
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Performance against tender submission
Issues raised by Provider / Local Authority
Patterns identified from above information
Governance of Framework
On-line Forms
• Quarterly Monitoring Form
• LAC Review feedback
• End of Placement feedback
– Child (not on-line) / IRO / Social Worker / Provider
• Placement Planning Meeting (In development)
Governance of Framework
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Regional Team based in Northamptonshire
Funded by contributions from the Region
Implementation Group to continue meeting
Regular feedback from around the Region
COMMUNICATION
Expectations of Local Authority
• Make decision on category of need
– Use specification to determine which level
– Some debate will arise with Providers
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Issue and update Individual Placement Agreements
Continued management of placements
Carry out Inspections on Providers
Deal with issues arising from LAC reviews
Deal with issues arising from Feedback
Regular updates and communication with central team
– issues / feedback / meetings / information / visits / etc
• Support Regional Framework (resources)
• Support Providers as in the Specification
– issues / feedback / meetings / information / visits / etc
Expectations of Providers
• Support Local Authorities as in the Specification
– issues / feedback / meetings / information / visits / etc
• Provide service as detailed in the specification
• Provide service as detailed in tender submission
• Provide services at prices detailed in tender
submissions
• Increase capacity within East Midlands
• Work with East Midlands Region as required
– Information requests / advice / solutions
• Regular updates and communication with central team
– issues / feedback / meetings / information / visits / etc
Outcomes of Framework
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Better quality of service for young people ?
Cost savings in the region of around 3.3%
Fixed pricing mechanism for 4 years
Better control of costs
Contracts for 85% of existing placements
– Fostering 95% / Residential 79%
• Increased capacity from existing Providers ?
• Providers more accountable to whole region
Lessons
• Best for 1 Authority to Lead
– With Support from other Local Authorities
• Engage Senior Management early
– Ready for key decisions in a timely manner
• Set strict timelines for information returns
– Avoids wasting time chasing
– Challenge those who are always late or missing
• Communication is essential
– Verbal / Written / Face to Face
• Be Prepared to Make it Happen
• Allow Plenty of Time
• It is NOT Easy