Agenda item

The Director of Adult Social Care submits a report to provide the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission with an update on progress on the delivery of accommodation for people supported by Adult Social Care, as detailed in the Supported Living and Extra Care Housing Strategy 2021-2031.

The Assistant City Mayor for Adult Social Care introduced the item, noting that this was a ten-year plan, setting out requirements for those with social care needs.

The Director for Adult Social Care and Commissioning provided an overview of the report. Key points to note were:

• The accommodation plan was set out across a ten-year period.
• The strategy target was to provide 551 units of accommodation over 3 phases of delivery.
• Phase 1 had a predicted delivery of 155 units. This target had not been met, largely due to lack of progress with the Tiling and Hamelin Road sites.
• Phase 2 would provide 66 units.
• Phase 3 was expected to provide 289 units.
• 56 units of accommodation had been successfully delivered over 11 sites.
• There was a key focus on bespoke provision.
• An excellent portfolio of support already existed within the city.
• There was a comprehensive range of accommodation with different models of support. Some having communal hubs and others having floating support.
• Schemes were designed to meet different needs, such as mental health, learning ability and physical issues.
• There were 698 units with supported living accommodation. This was spread over 112 schemes.
• A similar methodology to the one underpinning the 2021 strategy was in place and would remain until 2027.
• The successful work of the Operational Placement Team was noted, with positive outcomes in securing the best accommodation for people needs and requirements.
• The total number of supported people across the city currently came to 550.
• 150 older people were living in extra care schemes.
• There was a variety of support schemes, with commission providers and a range of people in receipt of Direct Payments.
• Collaborative work was taking place with colleagues in Neighbourhoods Services and with developers.
• The Shared Lives service had traditionally been seen as a support for those with learning difficulties, but a more expanded offer was to come.
• There was a range of ongoing plans with new developments expected and a continued focus on delivery approach.
• 22 accommodation units had been brought forward by developers, having a confirmed delivery dates across 2025/26.
• Moving forwards, there would be a focus on working collaboratively with Neighbourhoods and City Development on 4 interlinked workstreams. Stage 1 of which had already been completed.
• Other opportunities included the asset pipeline with a view to how this could be built upon.
• There was a good prospect to work holistically and strategically.
• Regarding procurement, detailed conversations were required with developers and providers with an emphasis on teamwork.
• It was acknowledged that Leicester tended to be short on opportunity to develop land. Future talks would be necessary with the market to consider possibilities.
• There could be opportunities with local partners, such as Leicestershire County Council and other schemes bordering the city.

In response to questions from the committee, it was noted that:

• The Tiling and Hamelin Road procurement was unsuccessful due to a number of reasons including providers uncertainty over the mixed model. On returning to market, there appeared to be interest but this was not substantiated at procurement.
• There was a £5.9m in budget in Policy Provision for extra care. Models may need to be revised in line with change.  
• Positive associations with developers included Right To Buy and Homes England funding. Schemes tended to come with funding and might be  investor lead. Mixed financial models were welcomed.
• The commission queried risks on working with multiple developers, Officers highlighted benefits of having a wider pool. Checks and balances were in place. Tenants could choose a different provider if they so wished, without risk to tenancy.

Agreed:

1. That the report be noted.
2. For scrutiny to follow matters of budget and any inconsistencies arising.
3. Concerns were noted on slippage.
4. Numbers of providers to be monitored.
5. Progress would be followed with a planned return to scrutiny.