Agenda item

Report of the Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health

Recommendations:-

1.           Cabinet considers the two options contained in this report and approves Option 1:

Option 1

(a)  Rotherham Sight and Sound Service:

Be offered to the wider market under a grant funded service level agreement in accordance with the provisions of the Rotherham Compact prior to contract termination at 31 March 2022 to secure a provider to continue the service for a period of 2 years until 31 March 2024.

(b)  The Carers Support Worker and Dementia Café Service:

Be offered to the wider market under a grant funded service level agreement in accordance with the provisions of the Rotherham Compact prior to contract termination at 31 March 2022 to secure a provider to continue the service for a period of 2 years until 31 March 2024.

Consideration was given to a report which outlined how the two contracts associated with the services highlighted in this report, the Rotherham Sight and Sound Service and the Carers Support Worker and Dementia Café Service, reached their initial contract term at 31st March, 2021. 

There was an option to extend the contracts for a period of twelve months in the contract terms at the discretion of the Council.  Both services made a positive contribution to the Council’s duty under the Care Act 2014 to promote wellbeing and prevent, reduce and delay the need for care.  The people who benefitted from the services were living in their own homes in the community. 

The Rotherham Sight and Sound Service supported people who experienced sensory impairment (deaf, blind or deaf-blind). 

The Carers Support Worker and Dementia Café Service supported unpaid carers and people who were experiencing the symptoms of dementia. 

Both services were now well established in Rotherham and the report’s proposals were for the Council to continue to secure the services going forward under grant agreement arrangements under Option 1 proposals.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report, but sought assurances that the BME community, who appeared from the equality analysis to not be accessing the services, were receiving the required support.   In understanding this an  action plan had been put in place along with a commitment to meet the needs of all Rotherham’s  communities to ensure any gaps were addressed in a timely fashion.

Resolved:- 

That the two options contained in this report be considered and Option 1 be approved:-

Option 1

(a) Rotherham Sight and Sound Service be offered to the wider market under a grant funded Service Level Agreement in accordance with the provisions of the Rotherham Compact prior to contract termination at 31st March, 2022 to secure a provider to continue the service for a period of two years until 31st March, 2024.

(b) The Carers Support Worker and Dementia Café Service be offered to the wider market under a grant funded Service Level Agreement in accordance with the provisions of the Rotherham Compact prior to contract termination at 31^st March, 2022 to secure a provider to continue the service for a period of two years until 31st March, 2024.